4/7/2013:
Classrooms at the North Dakota Agricultural College sat cold and empty on this date in 1943. Twelve of the college’s engineers and two janitors had gone on strike. They seized control of the school’s powerhouse, leaving students without heat and hot water. The disgruntled employees had staged the coup in response to what they saw as a breach of promise on behalf of President Frank Eversull, arguing that they were promised a wage increase on April 5th. Eversull claimed the increase was not due until July, and by April 7th, was in the process of hiring replacement workers. He considered the actions of the strikers grounds for removal, saying, “We must have heat and hot water in our buildings.”
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
Dill, Joseph (ed.). 1988 North Dakota: 100 Years: p. 76. The Forum Publishing Company: Fargo, ND.
The Fargo Forum and Daily Tribune. Wednesday (Morning ed.), April 7, 1943; p. 1.