New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-09
FEAR STRIKERS VIOLENCE
POLICE PREPARING FOR TROUBLE AT
JEROME PARK RESERVOIR.
ABOUT TWELVE HUNDRED ITALIANS LEFT
WORK YESTERDAY AT NOON-ATTACK
ON THE FIRST TRAIN THIS MORN
ING SAID TO BE PLANNED

WORK YESTERDAY AT NOON-ATTACk
ON THE FIRST TRAIN THIS MORN
ING SAID TO BE PLANNED.
! strike among the twelve hundred Italians
at work on the Jerome Park Reservoir begar
yesterday at noon. without any warning. The
men demand 81 80 a day instead of 81 %, and
say that they will not risk their lives among the
blasts, railroad cars and falling embankment:
for less number of lives have been lost in the
course Of this work. and 1t has been necessary
| to establish a hospital at the grounds. This
seems to have frightened the men.
The strikers caused trouble yesterday but
as they were forced away from the reservoir
where they live. by the police. they went to the
Italian settlement at Bedford Park and gath
cred in saloons and other resorts and were
harangued by their leaders. being raised to a
high pitch of excitement. The police so
fearful Of trouble that detectives were sent
among the strikers to learn their plans. and
CAPTAIN Schmittberger was ordered TO remain
personally In charge through the night. The de-
tectives reported that the Italians planned 10
assemble early this morning, tear up the tracks
and attack the crew of the first train that start
ed to work. A large extra force Of police. how
ever, will be on hand early. under command OF
Inspector Grant to prevent any acts OF violence.
At Q o'clock last evening the captain tele-
phoned TO Inspector Grant for more men. The
captain said that he expects serious trouble. He
says that the centre OF the trouble Will lie east
OF Jerome-ave which is about one-half mile
from the east trestle. This is an open country.
At o'clock this morning Captain FITZPATRICK,
Of The Bronx Park station. with his reserves,
will report at the scene Of the trouble. All the
streets leading TO the scene of the strike are
being patrolled by the police
The strike started among the laborers on the
Westchester Creek dumping grounds. some dis
tance from the reservoir. This gang moved
along toward the reservoir. the first gangs met
with Joining the strikers willingly. Further on.
however, some were opposed to going on
strike and these were treated with curses and
volleys of stones as a means Of intimidation,
and 1t proved effective.
BY the time the strikers arrived at the reser-
voir there were more than half thousand men
in the party with half many women. After
some parleying the Italians at work on the
reservoir Joined the others, but the drimen.
the engineers and the skilled workmen refused
to go out. The agitation was kept up. however,
and at last Mr. Mcdonald, the contractor who
had been away from the reservoir work. was
sent for
His presence quieted the men. and without any
words he ordered them away. They obeyed and
quietly went away. He at once telephoned for
Iolice and 100 were soon on the scene.
Mcdonald expected no trouble. but the police
and others OF the men feared that the Italians
might get to drinking In the night, and then In.
cite one another 10 deeds Of violence. Several
hundred tons OF dynamite are stored In maya
zines all about the reservoir. and should the
Italians become cra1ed with drink serious dam
age, II was feared, might result
Captain Schmlttberger put his men on guard
near all the magazines and without difficulty
forced ali the strikers on the grounds. none or
them being allowed to remain near the place.
Precautions were also taken against their get
ting liquor Mcdonald himself going to the con-
tract storekeepers and warning them not to
sell 10 the strikers.
One of the leaders. Michael Samboraso. was
arrested on a charge OF disorderly conduct for
attempting 10 hit Timothy O'Connor. foreman.
with shovel when ordered to leave the reser-
yor He was fined 50 by Magistrate Brann
at TIE Morrsania Court. and warned not to
interfere with workers.