Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-07-29
While aboard a trolley car Fred Mat

While aboard trolley car Fred Mat
thews, a colored strike-breaker. was
pursued and attacked by crowd OF
strike sympathizers upon leaving the
stock yards for home.
A number Of policemen heard his
cries and started to the rescue. The mo-
torman, however. shot his car ahead at
full speed. The police stopped the next
car and ordered the motorman to give
pursuit. A lively race followed, both
cars plunging along at top speed while
the "wrecking crew" of the first car
pounded. the strife breaker without
mercy.
passing freight train at grade
crossing finally compelled the first car
to stop. Matthews assaiIants seeing
they would be overtaken. leaped to the
ground and fled. The cOIOred man was
given police protection to his home. No
arrests were made.
The strike is affordng a harvest for
the employment agencies. There re-
cruiting forces daily >skirmish the
streets for men to work at the stock
yards in the places of the strikers.
Following the refusal to enter into
more agreements Will luc
workmen at the stock yards, Swift &
Co., today. tossed a bomb into the
camp Of the sympathetic strikers be-
longing to the allied trades by posting
public notices that. they are no longer
regarded in the light of employees.
The appearance Of the notice was
greeted with angry exclamations from
the crowds that soon gathered to read
and discuss the move. The place NAM
ed for the men to apply for their mon-
ey Is outside the stock yards proper. at
Halstead street and Exchange avenue.
1t was selected as affording the least
possibilities OF disorder.
Shortage In the soap supply, parti-
cularly laundry. hotel and the cheaper
grades OF toilet soap. is one of the pos
sibilities OF the strike. In anticipation
OF such an event the packers operating
soap plants have been busy for days
moving stocks of soap to ware houses,
stock houses and retail stores.
The packers were equipped with
large stock but were afraid a team
sters strike would prevent it's removal.
Although representatives Of the pack
Ing companies declare that no further
agreements with their striking en-
ployes are desired and that no negO-
tiations with them are contemplated,
rumOrs are persistent that two Of the
big companies. SchwarZschild & SulZ-
berger and the Cudahy Packing Co..
are ready to make terms with the men.
The effects Of the strike on the local
trade have begun to be felt in Chicago
and from now on it is promised that it
will be more pronounced.
The picketing heretofore has been
confined to the packing houses and
stockyards districts. delivery Of meat
from the branch warehouses in differ
ent parts Of the city. not being inter-
fered with. but now the strikers say
these points as well as the wholesale
markets of the big companies will he
piCketed and an effort made to tie up
all distribution.
Convinced that il would be unwise to
give the strikers cash benefits yet
knowing that they must have assis-
tance. President Donnelly Of the butcA-
ers organization decided today. to open
a commissary department, where food
Of all kinds will be given to the men
now out Of work. II anyone Is una BILE
to pay his rent and is In good standing
with the union the cOmmissary depart
ment will satisfy the landlord but the
striker will not see the money Three
store rooms will be rented and stocked
with all kinds Of supplies. all the meat
being purchased from the Independent
packers and butchers.
I'VE will buy our meat from the in
dependent companies and in large
quantities." said President Donnelly.
"and we will get our -four by the car
load. There will he no cash payments
Of strike benefits. This commissary
system Is in use elsewhere with great
success and will win here. 1 shall waste
SO time seeking useless conferences
with the packers. The time has come
for us to get right down to business.