New-York tribune., 1878-07-24
THREATS OF COMMUNISM.


THE FEARS OF A GENERAL STRIKE THIS SUMMER
nor GBoUNDLRss-THE ATTACK POSTPONED
FROM JUNE Is TO AUGUST 15--A MsNUF tCTUR-
ER's APPREHENsIoSs.
IRON STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TEIBUSE.l
WnKEsBARRE, July 22.-The leaders Of the Ma
tional party in the southern counties OF Ne%NOr's
disclaim all sympathy with Communism and d"uy
all knowledge OF It's existence. Their obje n
organizing q new political party, they eXplainV
it TO il ElInira, is to what they calnan-
cial aud labor reforms. "The country must have
more currency and it must be full legal tender for
all dues--those of the Government to the bond
holder and those of the merchant for duties" said
James Wright. of Elmira. to last week. and ho is
a sort of an oracle among the Greenbark men of
Cbemung, and expects to be their cana date for
County Judge. "IknOw of no organization here that
proposes 90 make war upon the established institu-
tOns of society" he continued and if there is any
such, the National party has nothing whatever to
do with 1t. The majority Of us, though mechanics,
own little property, and any movement that en-
dangers the security of that cannot succeed III this
part of the State. We are bringing in the farmers
now by the score, and they would have nothing to
do with us if we were Communists. / am opposed
TO strikes, and hope will take place this Sum-
mer. A general outbreak among the labOrers or
bad nominations in our conventions alone dc
feat us next Fall"
The assurances of Mr.. Wright on this point were
repeated by every prominent Nationalist whom /
met in Southern New York, and left there suppos-
ing that Communism had gained no fOothOld among
the workingmen of that section of the State Com
ing down here the Lehigh Valley Railroad, / sat
in the car beside q gentleman who dis
closed by his conversation that he is engaged
in manufacturing business in one of the northern
counties of Pennsylvania. He is a man of much in
telligence, considerable experience IN business and
appears to be remarkably cool-headed. found him
extremely in regard to the future and, after
exaeting pledge that his name should not be dis
closed, even his place of residence mentioned,
be related some Of the circumstances which caused
him so much uneasiness.
"The chances are" said he, " that we shall have
much more serious tronble within the next
two months than that which came upon unex-
pectedly last Summer. Preparations are being made
for a simultaneous strike all over the country--On
the railroads. at the mines, in many of the largest
manufacturing establishments-and nothing but
the utmost vigilance on the part of the State
authorities. and such preparations as will make 1t
possible TO crush out such movement instantly,
will prevent one of the worst calamities that has
ever befallen this country"
"If anything of the kind is contemplated, why
has it not already taken placei" asked. "lhe
18th of June was said to have been fixed for gen.
eral outbreak but that day came ana went with no
disturbance, and the alarm turned out to be false
one The experience of last Summer of course
causes apprehension but is there definitely
known about the plans of the workingmen
which to base such opinion as you have just
given y
There is" he replied. Z" The talk in regard TO a
strike on the 18th Of jane had more II than most
people imagined. That day actually fixed and
The outbreak would certainly have taken place
then or soon after, but for the preparations made
10 preserve the peace by Governor Hartranft Of this
State When he called out the militia and made ar
rangements to obtain uniforms and equipments for
them at the FrankfOrd Arsenal, those who were TO
have managed the strike called committee meeting
in Philadelphia, and after discussing the matter, vo
the attack to the 18th of August when
it was hoped that the country might be taken by
surprise That meeting was held IN May believe,
and. although several other important meetings
have since been called. don't think the day for be-
ginning the strike has been changed. / know that
there has been much more activity among the work
ingTnen in preparing for il since than before the
Philadelphia meeting"
'What has been done at the subsequent meetings
OF which you speak r
81 have been unable TO learn very much about
them One held III New-YOrk was attended by one
of my employees At that meeting il was voted that
the wOrkingnen at important points must be armed,
and a committee was appointed to collect money.
rrocnre arms and distribute them. The idea was to
purchase secondhand guns OF muskets and 10 have
those which needed repair put in order. Then
| they we're to be shipped to designated
poin.s ON tine canals lakes aud rivers by water,
whence they were 90 be distributed in wagons.
This was 10 avoid suspicion, which would certainly
| be- aroused if they were shipped by rail. ! have
/ not learned that any arms have yet been dstrib-
! uted but know that committee for that purpose
| was appointed in New-Y0rk.'
"You saw that several of your employees are active
| IN this work; why don't yOu discharge them"
Because do not dare 10 do it. ANY manufac-
! turer who MAKES himself particularly obnoxious to
the managers of this movement will be marked for
special vengeance when the strike comes Neither
| of the men referred to do what amounts 10 two
! hours work a day, and yet have to keep them"
.'Do Won think that the New-York or Western
Communists have anything to do with this proposed
strike
81 know they have. An agent from Chicago
stopped at several places along the Erie
Railroad on his way to New-York last April.
! heard that he came into Pennsylvania, but
he did not visit my town. That he was one Of the
nrorn;nent Communists Of the country know from
the subseouent notices saw 10 the New-York news
Dapers of his visit to that city. also learned what
he proposed TO some wOrkingmen in HornellsviDe
tbat should be done when the strike began"
what was thatp
"Well. he said they ought to take the property
Of the rich and that they ought especially to break
omen fbe banks, take all the money and divide 1t.
There was a good deal moro such talk as this"
.sDid he seem to make an impression on the work
ingInenP
"Weil, he was in consultation with some Of them
in every place at which he stopped, and some OF