 The mill operators hired Pinkerton detective A.H. Crane to infiltrate and spy upon the local union.Crane became "rather influential" in the union, and forty-two union men were fired.It was "practically admitted" that the dismissals were simply for joining the union.p.73 Charles MacNeill, vice-president and general manager of the United States Reduction and Refining Company (USRRC), refused to negotiate with the union,p.200 declining even to accept a document with the union's list of demands.