The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-03
STRIKERS TENTED CITY
Idle Reading Iron Workers Establish
a Camp on an Island.
FAMILIES ARE LEFT AT HOME

Novel Method Of Living Adopted in An
ticipaton Of a Long Strike - Gimp is
on Fritz's Island, Near Reading, Penn.
1t is Ruled by tho Strikers Leade.
-Routine Of the Camp Life.
Reading, Penn.-The first American
camp of strikers in Pennsylvania is
now fully established on Fritz's ISL
ani, a tract of about fifteen acres, in
the Schuylkill River, three miles below
Reading. About 500 men, striking en-
ployes of the Reading Iron Company,
are already in the tents, and additions
are made daily to their number.
There is every evidence Of q long
strike, and as fast as men can make
their arrangements they will leave
town and 60 into camp, so that by
July 1 it is expected that 1000 idle
men at least will be living in the tents
rented. Houses in town are being
given up and arrangements are being
made for the comfort and support Of
the women and children who will re-
main in town while the men folks are
absent in camp. No women are to be
allowed in the camp except in the af-
ternoon.
Strict rules have been drawn up for
Camp Flynn, named in honor of J. n.
Flynn, the man sent to Reading from
Pittsburg to take charge Of the labor
trouble. Breakfast Is served at a.
m. Each tent mess serves meals for
from six to eight men. Provisions are
served from the commissary. Bread
and butter, coffee and fried potatoes
and fresh fish generally form the
breakfast. Meat and vegetables, with
bread and coffee, make up the dinner,
Potatoes with Jackets on, bread and
butter and fresh fish are served for
supper. This bill af fare Of course va
ries. Fresh country eggs are brought
in by farmers, and are cheap enough
to be served for breakfast. Ham and
bacon, beans, meat and fresh vegeta-
bles are liberally served.
Organizer Flynn brings provisions
into camp by the drayload. A favor
ite supper for the strikers Is potato
soup and boiled cabbage, bread and
coffee, but the men say that when not
Mt work they do not require much
heavy food. On Sundays the men
have chicken for dinner, the fowls
being sold at wholesale rates by the
farmers. Suckers and catfish are
caught in the river. Bass will be in
season soon.
One of the best springs Of pure water
in the country is near the camp, and
there Is a plentiful supply. The river
furnishes excellent fishing, boating
and bathing. Very large trees give
ample shade. A large flag pole was
raised bearing the Stars and Stripes
with. two large white streamers let
tered Independence" and "Here Till
Victory" The iron workers, engi-
neers and other trades Of the United
States are contributing a great deal
of money for the support of the camp
and the families of the strikers, but
this does not nearly make up for the
S125, 900 in wages paid out to these
men by the company every month.
The men in camp do their own laun-
dry work at the river side. The camp
streets are named after the various
strike leaders. No tramps are allowed
to enter the camp, and hoodlums are
ordered off. Homeless men with union
cards are received, but the idea Is to
keep Camp Flynn excessively for this
strike of iron workers.
Notices have been sent out from
camp to the citizens Of Reading to
pay no heed to beggars soliciting aid
in their behalf. The strikers are well
supplied, and 80 are their families.
Men asking aims must show their
union cards, otherwise they are to be
looked on as imposters.
No base ball is allowed on Sunday
In the camp ground and Farmer
Fritz's green fields on the island will
be amply protected. Concerts. card
parties, ball tossing. quoits, foot rae
ing, jumping. cricket and other pas
II les form abundant amusement for
the men when not in meeting, prepar-
ing their meals or cleaning up their
tents.
Men who made from $50 to $50 a
month are earning nothing now. Many
of the 26OO on strike who had no de-
sire to 60 into camp have left to secure
Liza