The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-24
Situation at Paterson, n Jy
Grows More Serious,
1000 MEN HAVE QUIT WORK
Strikers Armed With Sticks and
Stones Storm Establishments and
Force Men Who Were Work
Ina to Leave Their Places.

Paterson, n. j., April 23.-Strilking dye
beIners stormed the establishments that
were still running and by force compell-
ed a complete suspension of business In
their trade They engaged in a series
of running fights with the police ana
plant managers ara Ia ote or the sever
est clashes exchanged volley OF pistol
shots with them. Many persons on eth
er side were severely injured during the
rioting but none dangerously so. 1t was
believed for a time that it would be nee
essary to ask the state for troops to re-
store order and insure protection to life
and property but the police expressed
confidence in their ability to handle the
situation and no request for outside aid
was made. Judge Dixon called the grand
Jury and charged them to indicate the
persons guilty of rioting.
A written demand upon the employees
for increased pay was formulated and
committees opened negotiations for its
consideration. Large numbers OF strik-
ers were in sullen spirit and it was pre-
dicted tonight that any attempt on the
part of the employers to resume busi-
ness without dealing with them would
be desperately resisted.
Four Thousand Men Out.
When the strikers completed their CAM
paign against the plants In operation the
number of men out was found to be
nearly four thousand.
The disorder began early in the day and
was unexpected. meeting OF 1000
strikers was held at o'clock at River
side Hall which adopted demands for
presentation to the employers.
While the meeting was In progress nun
dreds of strikers stood outside the hall
anErily discussing their grievances.
The radicals urged raid upon the
works still In operation. and when their
suggestion was approved headed rush
for the plant of JONI son, Cowdin & Co.
The men at work Athere were called out
and the strikers moved on to the estab-
lishment of James Simpson & Co. That
firm, fearing trouble dismissed the men
and closed its doors. Robert Gaed and
works were visited next and after that
the Bamford mill, where the first serious
disorder occurred, was surrounded. Win
dows were smashed, chemicals spilled
and considerable damage done. The men
at work in the plant quickly quilted their
places.
While one mob was closing the Bam-
ford another was surging into the plant
of the American Silk Dveing and Finish
ing Company. Armed with DE sticks and
stones they charged through the plant
driving the men from their places. Geo.
Arnold, one of the members of the firm,
was dropped insensible with a blow on
the head from a dye stick Almost sim
ultaneously an attack was begun on the
works of Emile Geering and ii was In the
fight for the possession of 1t that the
shooting occurred. Two policemen were
guarding the property and when the mob
came rushing down on them they warn
ed those in the van to keep away Some
one In the crowd discharged revolver
and the police quickly returned the fire.
Half Dozen Shots Fired.
Half dozen shots were fired, and one
striker who escaped unidentified, was
shot in the leg. The mob stoned the two
policemen, and when one of the latter ar
rested one of the leaders they closed in
around him. The officers swung their
clubs ard beat their way out of the
crowd. A striker engaged Mr.. Gcering
but was beaten off. One of the patrolmen
finally secured rifle, and when he camc
out and faced the crowd with 1t there
was a general scattering. From Geering
the strikers hurried away towards the
property of Knipscher & Mas. but that
raid was checked by a squad of police.
Georld Misteli, q young striker. hurled
a rock at the police and was placed under
arrest. The crowd tried to rescue him
and to the number of several hundred fol-
lowed the arresting officers TO the prison.
hooting at them. At noon the men at
work for the Geering mill went out and
the place was closed down.
The strikers met at Riverside, again at
4 o'clock In the afternoon to receive the
reports of the several shop committees
Nearly every one of the latter reported
that their particular shops would agree
TO the wage concessions demanded If all
the other shops would. The conservative
leaders strongly advised the strikers to
ayoid violence and disavowed the attacks
made on the mills during the morning
If the dyers strike is prolonged other
branches of the great silk industry Will