Special deputies were appointed. The state militia prepared for action, and there were rumors that federal troops stood in readiness to march on the city. May 1st came and more than 300,000 workers laid down their tools in 13,000 establishments throughout the country. The conflict has begun. An army of wage laborers are idle.
Capitalism conceals it's tiger claws behind the ramparts of order.
The die is cast. The first of May, whose historic signifigance will be understood and appreciated only in later years, has come. May 1st passed without incident. Although large numbers of workers took part in the day's demonstrations, there was no rioting or disorder. Trouble came, however, on Monday May 3rd.