“Public Opinion Seen as Factor in Strike”

Headline: “Public Opinion Seen as Factor in Strike”

Subhead: General Sympathy Said to Favor Theater Owners

Minneapolis — Public opinion probably will decide the outcome of the struggle between theater owners and labor unions here and at St. Paul and public opinion now strongly favors the theater owners.

This is the reaction reflected by attendance, to the “campaign of enlightenment” being conducted by exhibitors, who in “cold turkey” terms are putting their side of the case before the public, stating in advertisements, posters and slides that they deplore the walkout and are availing themselves of the only alternative—keeping their houses open with non-union labor.

Theater owners have been at grips with the union in what both state will be a finish fight, for nearly two weeks now, and exhibitors are united in a solid front to resist what they term the unreasonable demands of the unions.

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul are strongholds of unionism, although there have been several isolated cases of controversies between theaters and unions. Several bombings of theaters—one of which wrecked the Glenwood Palace, Minneapolis suburban house, have figured in the various struggles. The present situation, however, is the first city-wide theater strike the two cities have experienced.

The Wonderland, Gateway grind house long has been the target of the unions because of its open shop policy. Its case attracted wide attention several years ago when the Proprietor, John Campbell, obtained a permanent injunction restraining picketing or any other interference at the house. Three of the foremost labor leaders of the Northwest were jailed for violating the injunction.