The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-07-12
THE STRIKES.
A Crisis Reached in Jersey City.
A GANG OF ITALIANS SET UPON By
STRIKERS.
Rey0lvers and Clubs Freely Used-...SeV-
eraI Laborers Wounded.

NEW YORK, July 11.-About 400 striking
freight handlers, who had been in the employ
of the Eriea road, marched in body to the
companys office in Jersey City this afternoon
to get the money due them. On reaching the
Erie freight yards some of their number ne
came incensed at about forty Italians working
in their places, and attacked them with stones
and other missiles The Italians fled, followed
by the roughs who instigated the attack, but
soon found themselves hemmed in by large
number of strikers. One of the Italians there
upon drew revolver, and shot into the crowd,
dangerously wounding one of the strikers IN
the head. He fell, and his companions, thor
oughly infuriated, attacked the Italians with
couplingi links and pins, and anything they
could lay hands upon; The Italians drew re-
number. After emptying their revolyers, the
Italians fled in all directions, closely pursued
by the now infuriated strikers, who succeeded
in capturing large number OF the workmen
and severely dealt with them. A number OF
Italians fled down the dock and attempted to
climb aboard the schooner Josie Hook, Capt,
Pickett, by means of rope stretching from
the stern oiIthe vessel and fastened to the dock.
Four Italians had reached the deck, and three
were hanging to the line of the vessel, when, it
is alleged, two seamen cast off the line, throw
ing the three men into the water. One, who
had only been one month in this country, was
drowned. The two inhuman seamen were
subsequently, arrested. They are Malcolm
Slocum of New Bedford, and Enoch w. Ira
cey of Brewer, Me. They were held on a
charge of manSlaughter.
The police upon arrival at once cleared the
yard of all but employees of the railroad COM
pany. The Italians were placed on barges
where committee of strikers were given the
opportunity of Identifying any of them whom
they had seen using firearms. Four Italians
were arrested on complaint of the strikers on
the charge of assault with intent to kill. The
police then made thorough search OF the
Italians and barges, which resulted in finding
SO knives and raZors, a sw ord and IL loaded re-
volvers. Twelve Italians who had weapons on
their person were also arrested The wounded
strikers were taken to the hospital Ihe
Italians, many of whom were badly beaten,
were left on barges without medical attendance
until they reached New York.
The police have arrested John Crimmins, the
ringleader of the hoodlums who caused the
rioting at the Erie dock to-day. After the
strikers had been driven from the yard, they
stoned the Italians working at local freight sta
tion on Grove street, and number OF the
workmen were seriously injured. The build
ing was closed and the police summoned, When
the strikers again dispersed. general feel
ing of uneasiness prevails.
The Chicago Iron Workers.
SOUTH CHICAGO, ILL.,, July 11.-Everything
is quiet at the mills of tho Calumet Iron and
Steel Company this morning, although large
crowds are gathered around the depot, await
ing the arrival of trains. Preparations are be-
ing made to start up three of the sixteen fur
naces, with non-union men. Officers of'the
company are here, and there is large force OF
police on hand The union men claim that
they will not make any trouble.
The Freight Handlers.
New YORK, July 12-There is no change to-
day in the condition of the freight handlers
strike. The companies declare that they are
disposing of the freight almost as fast as for
merly, and that the new hands are rapidly be-
coming skilled at the work. Shipping was
light this morning. Committees from differ
ent German societies are engaged in visiting
the different piers, persuading their fellow
countrymen from working against the strikers,