The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-03-30
STONES AND STICKS.
Intense Excitement at Gates of Androscog
gin MIL.

Lewiston, March 29.-Intense excite
ment prevailed at the gates of the Andro-
scoggin cotton mills this morning, when
another attempt was made to induce the
strikers to return to work. About 200
people assembled near the gates and there
we're many wild scenes as the strikers
endeavored to persuade the weak kneed
operatives to remain out. Agent Bean
of the corporation was hit with stone
but was not injured and several of the
squad of police officers present We're
struck with stones and pieces OF wood.
The authorities decided that If any
further trouble occurred the state au
thorities would be asked to detail q COM
pany of National Guard for duty at the
mills.
The strike at the Androscoggin mills
occurred in January when q ten per
cent reduction in wages went into effect
Since that time the mills have remained
closed. Several Intellectual attempts
have been made since to start the ma
chinery and on Monday morning of this
week. Agent Bent Bean openedsthe
gates in order that all those who wanted
to 90 to work could go to their places
About 200 of the 600 or more operatives
went in and only part Of the machinery
was operated yesterday. The agent de-
cided to make another attempt today to
get the strikers TO work. but the latter,
with the exception of those who went
in yesterday, were apparently just as
determined to remain out unless the cut
down was restored.
About o'clock this morning police
entrances and nearly all the strikers in
the city and large number of citizens
assembled at the gates and at one time
crowd of 1900 people was on the scene.
1t is stated that more strikers went in
than on yesterday. All those who went
through the gates were loudly Kissed and
missiles were thrown, but no one was Sc
riously injured, most of the stones and
sticks hurled by the most excited in the
crowd being of light weight. The agent
appeared in front of the mills at one
time and was hit with stone. The
DO1lCt OlAC6Io WOlO UllO opCC1aA &Cb "a
the crowd and were frequently hooted.
Several stones and birch edgings were
thrown at them. A striker named Joseph
Labelle was arrested for interfering with
those who wanted to go to work. The
police left the gates just before z o'clock
and at that hour the excitement was the
most intense The strikers gradually
dispersed many of them stating that they
would return at noon in an effort to in
duce those who had gone to work to
come out. 1t was decided to have a
strong guard at the gates in case of furth
er trouble.
Agent Bean claims that about so of the
striking weavers went to work this morn
ing and that he has all the help in other
departments that he can find work for in
view of the small amount of machinery
that can be operated in the weaving de-
partment.
After the disturbance at the mill gates
in the morning Detective Darenburg
while on Lincoln street, was recognized
by the crowd and at once surrounded. AS
threats on his life were made he drew his
revolver to protect himself. No sooner
had he done this than one of the men ex
claimed: "Two can play at Tat game"
and rushed for nearby house. Return
ing with revolver he threatened the de-
tective's life, and had 1t not been for an
approaching street car which the detec-
tive boarded there Is probability that
blood would have been shed.
At night when the operatives left the
mill to return home there was another
large crowd filling the street, but no
trouble resulted. Mayor Newell was
present, directing the efforts of the Off
GERS to clear the street, and when the
crowd refused to return to their homes
he made an earnest speech, saying he
thought the crowd was injuring the
chances OF the strikers winning the bat
tie 1t is estimated there were fully 1000
people present at the mills gates tonight S
A force OF 80 officers have been ordered
to be present at the gates in the morn
ing and if this is not effectual.in prevent
ing the congregation Of unrully persons
an attempt will be made to have an in
junction served against the strikers.
The greater part of the crowd at the mill
gates is composed, not of strikers, but
of loafers and women and children.