The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-16
MAY BLOW UP DAM.
italian Strikers Are Prepared
to Use Dynamite.

Croton Landing, N. Y. April e.
Vague rumors of the intended use of
dynamite by the strikers TO break the
old Croton dam and flood the Croton
valley were current throughout the
night, but 50 far everything is quiet
and orderly. There is no doubt the
striking Italians are in possession OF
lot of dynamite. and they are aceus-
toned to the handling Of the explosive.
The old dam is entirely unprotected
When the result of the conference at
New York was circulated among the
men last night and they knew that the
militia were ordered here, the spirit Of
resistance visibly increased, and the
recognized leader of the strikers made
the boast that the fight would be con-
tinued until the men got what they
demanded.
A meeting of the strikers was called
for o'clock this morning, but only a
( few Of the leaders turned up at that
appointed place, Bowery bridge, which
/ is lust below the works. at that hour.
They talked excitedly with one another
/ and then returned to their homes along
the BOWery. seemingly without having
[ agreed upon any plan of action. 1t is
certain however that the Italians VIII
kprevent work being resumed TO-DAY.
I Just as soon as the slightest move is
( made on the part of the contractors
/ TO resume the work the watchers on
4. the hillside will give the alarm ana the
rush of Saturday morning VIII De re-
peated.
1t is generally understood that the
men will keep away from the new dam
when the military arrive here Iney
say they have money enough saved TO
keep them for several months ana as
soon as the soldiers go away they viii
f--T.. 4I,afFs inf \.
of damage. There are several boat
loads Of cement lying at the docks
here and it is needed badly to con-
tinue the work of building the new
dam. The strikers say the contractors
will not be permitted to haul It, ana II
is to guard against an attack IL THIS
respect that the cavalry is being sent
here.
Up to 10 O'Clock today there was not
move made by the contractors or their
representatives to put up any one TO
work at the new dam.
1t was learnede that applications for
warrants for the arrest of the leaders
had been made and arrests may occur
al any time. Early today about 100 Of
the strikers gathered on the top of the
hill near what is called Little Italy,
and We're addressed in Italian by the
leaders. Many of the men were armed.
+ The leaders refused to talk of their
plans for today
Everything in the valley below was
deputies scattered around the works
near the new dam. The infantry and
; cavalry are expected to arrive on the
scene some time this afternoon.
Giovanni Branch, the Italian consul
general, deplOres the sending of troops
to the scene of the strike.
This parade of soldiery," he said last
night, will result in some evil. It is
not troops that are needed. 1t is the
clemency OF the contractors. I am now
thoroughly convinced that the wages
which they have been paying some of
their men are based on a starvation
schedule
Fifteen more dollars a day paid out
by the contractors in wages would set
tie the whole difficulty. But these men
resist. They refuse to make any con-
1889 day to the 120 men
who lead the strike, instead of $1.25 as
before, but they would not listen to this
THE original demand of the strikers
was for SL50 day, instead of $1.25, but
the strikers are willing to come half
way. Now, this 121sc extra a day for 120
men would amount to how much? FIJI
teen dollars Is that not rather a low
price for a strike mourning an expense
r. of thousands Of dollars and the happi-
ness Of seven hundred people?
These strikers are utterly helpless.
They are without money and some with
out food. I don't believe they will use
violence unless new laborers are put to
WOEk But II new men are brought
It makes little difference whether there
are cavalry or foot soldiers. There will
be trouble and lots Of it. OF course,
sooner or later. might will conquer, but
fear for the final consequences"
you don't mean that there will be
any international complications result
ing from the use of force2" was asked.
THAT I cannot say at this time" was
the answer.
1.-The armistice which the strikers
pledged me that they would maintain
has been maintained This is due in
large part, 1 believe to the fact that no
troops We're sent up there. The reason
of this sudden movement I cannot faith
ON, unless the contracting firm has de-
cided to begin work in earnest.
The story that the Italians in the
gulch had dynamite all ready for use
Saturday I still consider as utter bosh.
The deputies at first made a great hur-
rah about it and said that troops were
needed to combat such Internal tactics
TO show them that the whole story was
pure fancy 1 offered to go in the COM
pany of one or two deputies to all the
huts in the villages and pound the
floors and walls with a sledge hammer.
When they saw I was in earnest they
did not say anything more about dyna-
mite"
The consul general will go today to
Croton dam. He viii again confer with
superintendent Goldsborough and the
leaders Of the strikers.