Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-27

er. IF any man had held up match
or tooth pick and said come on bows.
let's rip her up, there'd been lots to
follow him, said one man. This state
ment can be taken for what it is worth.
but Il shows what has caused the I'M
easlness among the people Of the town
ahc mace them expect almost anything
in the line Of vengence on the road.
Public sentiment seems 10 be with
the strikers. This is natural as the
men have been spending a good deal of
money and many of them have con-
tractcd many debts in authorization of
the pay day that has been skipped
The strikers, therefore. are not the only
ones who want the money. If the men
are paid, today, i large proportion Of
the money Will doubtless 80 into thp
pockets Of the toWnsmen. But this
sympathy doubtless does not 20 far
enough 10 back mp any a-isehfsf irst
"UN be durs ~ ;lo ~-riErfs.
The MANY threats tAaC mad been
made had their effect and the opinion
Was generally accepted that something
would happen during the night, if some
sort Of settlement was not made
Monday. This was dreaded a great
deal by the town although there wasn't
so very much reason for it when the
situation was considered calmly.
1t was the wild talk made by ire
sponsible parties that caused the fear.
The Italians, rather unjustly perhaps,
were dreaded the most but this was
natural under the circumstances. The
property Of the company in the town
was closely guarded by this element,
Monday, and if there had been any
attempt to move Il train or begin work
again there would doubtless have been
trouble. But nothing of this kind was
done, 50 the day passed quietly.
Along in the afternoon word was
received and notice posted to this
effect that Mr.. Atwood had arrived in
Waterville and would settle the trouble.
Tuesday. This relieved the situation
in fine style and tine strikers settled
down to quietly await further develop
ments.
Mr.. Seretto was seen by the Journal.
Monday afternoon, after the news of
Mr.. AtWood's arrival had been receiy-
ed and he expressed himself rs perfect
1y satisfied with the situation at that
part of his fellow countrymen under
perfect control and would guarantee
that they did no damage. Monday
night at any rate. He of course could
not be responsible for the Americans
or the Italians that he did not control.
He had confidence that the money
would be received in due time. He had
been doing business with the company
for something like a year and found
that they had met all obligations
promptly. He had no doubt at all tina
MIR. Atwood would satisfactorily settle |
the trouble, Tuesday.
lie realized that the company had many |
much larger bills 70 meet than the wages |
due the men and believed that they would |
get around to that in due time. The men |
had desired to quit work until they got |
the money and no attempt had been made
to force them from this position. They |
had not contemplated any serious dam
age and were peaceably disposed.
lie believed the majority of his men
thought as he did. They had not sold any |
Of their claims ana had no intention of
doing 80.
There is really no course for the com
pany but to settle even if by any chance
it should be disposed to do otherwise. The
road is now practically completed and |
ready for business. but. it will be much |
easier 20 tie everything up by law than |
it viii with red flags and big timbcrs |
The men have a lien on the road for Their |
pay and it is believed that II the case !
should be properly handled not q wheel |
can be moved until the men get their |
money
Business principles would dictate
prompt settlement of the trouble and this |
is what will doubtless be done, Tuesday |
1t is expected that Mr.. Atwood will rap
idly clear things up when he turns his at |
tcntion them and that the whole thing |
will simply result in a scare.