The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-16
Three Hundred and Fifty Of the soi-
diers to be CavaIrymen. Who
VIII Patrol the District.
SOUTHERN RAILWAY STRIKE
STATEMENTS FROM OFFICIALS AND
LEADER OF OPERATORS.
Doth Sides Satisfied with the Situa-
tion-President Poweirs Boycott
-Other Labor News.

CROTON LANDING, ~. ", April 15-
While everything is quiet and peaceful IN
the neghborhood OF the Croton dam to-
night nearly 800 armed deputies are guard
ing the works and each one of them Is
guessing as to what tomorrow may bring
forth. The striking Italian laborers, whose
homes are in the vicinity OF the works, are
behaving themselves excellently. But un-
derneath their assumed quiet there In
stubborn resolve not to go back to work
nor let any outsiders take their places un-
til the contractors agree 20 pay the in
crease Of wages demanded. Strenuous ef-
forts are being made by Italian Consul
Branchi and State Arbitrator Deiehanty to
bring about a settlement OF the difficulty.
The strikers are very determined i'm their
demands and swear that IL outside labor
is brought here they will fight tooth and
nail to prevent ii. Angelo Rotella, who Is
the recognized leader of the strikers, said
to-day: This is a fight to finish. We
earn more money than we are receiving
and the contractors must pay US for our
work. The State should protect US and in
stead of sending deputies and soldiers to
help the bosses they should compel them
to treat us rightfully. Ours is a just
cause We only ask for fair play. II the
bosses attempt to bring the other laborers
here we shall prevent any work being
done. and IL the military come to help them
then we will fight the soldiers. The bosses
will have to give US our rights and until
they do not another stone win be put in
its place ION the big dam" Rotella spoke
earnestly and his remarks were listened
IN hv of mfr urao
voiced the same sentiment I'm a manner
which showed undoubted determination.
STRIKERS ARMED.
The strikers are all we'll armed with
guns and pistols. and in this regard they
have a decided advantage over the sheriffs
deputies. who have only long night sticks
and thirty-two caliber revolvers. The
deputies are I'm Il valley. while the strikers
command the adjoining hill. With the
guns the Italians could riddle the sherin's
men, who i'm turn could not send bullet
from their revolvers half way up the Hill
| in case fight should take place. There
| were several additions TO the ranks OF the
deputies to-day and there are nearly
| 800 of them at the works Most of them
| are being fed at nearby boarding house.
Many OF them complained to-day of being
insufficIently supplied with food. I'm ad-
dition to this they claim they are made 20
work overtime and threats of a strike
| among them were rife to-day.
| The feature of the day was the mingling
| of the strikers and the deputies at the
| Easter service in the little Roman catho-
| lie chapel I'm the valley which was built by
the contractors. The majority OF the con-
| gregation is made up OF the strikers and
their families and IL was feared that when
they would come I'm contact with the min
ions OF the law there would be trouble.
The very opposite occurred. as the men
greeted each other amicably.
| Rev. Father ]. ]. Owens. the parish
priest, celebrated the Easter Sunday mass
and in addition TO the regular choir there
| was a mandolin and guitar quintet. the
leader of which was the leader OF the
strikers. Angelo Rotella- Father Owens
| counseled the strikers TO obey the law and
shun the saloons.
General Roe announced tonight that he
| had received formal written demand
| from Sheriff Malloy. of Westchester coun-
! ty, this morning. TO call out 500 troops to
go Immediately To the scene OF the Italian
| laborers' strike at the croton dam. He
said Sheriff Malloy came down from West
| chester and gave him the demand I'm per-
son. General Roe has decided 10 order out
| early tomorrow morning the Fourth Sepa-
rate Company. of Yonkers: the Eleventh
| Separate Company. OF Mount Vernon;
\ Squadron A, OF New York. and Troop G.
| OF Brooklyn. General Roe gave as his
| reason for ordering so many cavalry ana
| so few infantry that there are more than
| six miles OF territory 10 cover. and that
| IT Is necessary TO have troops which could
move quickly and be scattered. He said
| also that the topography of the country
| Is exceedingly hilly. General Roe does not
| expect TO have to call out any New York
| infantry. and thinks that the so men will
| be sufficient TO quel the strike. Tie
troops will number leo infantry and go
cavalry. Squadron A win furnish 30 men
and Troop c will have $50.
report reached here at 10 O'Clock to-
! night that a conference held i'm New York
to-day was failure so far as bringing
| about the settlement OF the strike and
that troops had been ordered TO come here
tomorrow. The news was quickly passed
to the strikers. who hastily gathered on
the Bowery 20 discuss the situation.
The strikers were much excited. Angelo
RoteIla. the leader. when informed OF the
| fact that the troops had been ordered out
was much perturbed and downcast He
| said: "Only some OF our men are armed.
but they will all be armed In the morning.
| We will resist every attempt by the con-
| tractors 10 renew the work tomorrow
| with strange men. and we viii nght n
necessary until the troops set here. They
can keep the troops here for two months.
but We can AFFORD 10 wait six months. and |