16 Reports
Tuesday
3/16/15
I was visited at noon by pickets Rutledge and Tr[....] 
I was not able to get out with them, but from their 
conversation things are going on as you at the camps 
and all are preparing to march up and be sworn 
by the Industrial Commission.  The topic of 
discussion generally is, Uncle Sam has 
come to help us.  To stop so much of this among 
illiterates, I explained to their what this commission 
was and it was merely an arbortration board and 
that either side could appeal from their findings.  
I exaggerated to them as what the commission held 
as reasonable complaint, which according to 
my statement would eliminate 9/10ths of their 
number and evidence and that the commission 
would be bound to publish its findings and leave 
us in a worse fix.  We conversed until 2:30 PM and 
I told Rutledge to tell W.E. Fleming to come see me.  
At 4 PM W.E. Fleming had arrived and began his 
spiel as to how he intended to swear, and 
especially on the present dock system, and 
fire escape system.  Fleming was on his way 
to meet Mullinax and Reagan and to attend 
a speaking at the temple.  I was really 
unable to be out but wrapped up and went 
with Fleming to the temple and met 
Reagan and Mullinax and others.  Reagan 
was well pleased and stated that he wanted me 
to get well by Monday so I could testify 
before the commission.  A laughable feature 
of the meeting was Reagan telling Mullinax to 
go to a phone and after conferring with Louis Marquardt 
till a constitution report come over with his 
camera at the big speaking and by the use 
of the name of several labor leaders, who are in 
town and the agent of the commission, a 
reporter photographer came over.  There were 
just 11 in the house with the reporter, and 
Marquardt posed for the constitution, and 
soon began speaking and at the end of all 
talks there were only 17 hearers in 
the temple.  And before the meeting 
was over, Reagan was informed that 
the commission would set here next 
week and they were very much displeased.  
Reagan stated he would have depositions 
takened and forwarded to the department 
in Wash-D.C.  and that they would be heard 
anyway.  Flemming was told to come to the 
temple for this purpose at 10 am tomorrow. 
I returned home I find that the crooks 
are plentiful in our neighborhood but 
nothing being planed presently.  If it be 
true that the commission will not be here 
I am sorry for one reason, and that is a 
just commission would have adjudged 
them an unlaw assemblage and disgrace 
to Organized labor.  If  health permits I 
will be on picket tomorrow.  I still 
have a severe cold and some fever.

Respt. 16.