Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-26
NOW WELL UNDER WAY
Great Industrial War in Chi
cago Started.
ASPECT OF THE STRIKE
PACKERS AND STRIKERS RAL-
LIED TODAY FOR BITTER FIGHT.
Each Side Determined to Fight 1t Out
Riot Calls Sent in and
Men Arrested.
ASPECT OF THE STRIKE

CHICAGO. July 26.-In the great indus
trial war now well under way, the packers
and the strikers rallied today and prepared
for bitter conflict. The one side went about
its preparations quietly, Yet effectively; the
other enthusiastically and, as they hoped,
also effectively. Meantime the day took on
the real aspect of mighty strike. Riotous
scenes developed and continued intermit-
tently throughout the day.
Riot calls were sent in from number OF
points Many arrests were made, and alto
gether the days of peace seemed doomed
for some time. On the one hand the pack
ers declared emphatically that their plants
We're running and would continue to run;
strike breakers were rushed into the yards
by the hundreds, and non-union help was
employed wherever it offered itself
Emergency preparation were made
with view TO compactness; as, for IN
stance, the Capitalization of the steam
power plants of the Armour ana S"Ht
companies. While the mattresses in the
restaurants of the big plants joined their
brother strikers in the sympathetic walkout.
there were individual defecuons reported
from the strikers ranks. A few OF the
strikers were reported to have thrown away
their union buttons, frankly admitted the
fact marched up to the recruiting offices,
and to have been hired on the spot On
the other hand 1t was a whooping day Tor
the strikers
Enthusiasm Among Strikers.
All was enthusiasm about the yards and
this general feeling of energy centered at
47th and Halsted streets. This corner
promised TO be the seethng center of strike
agitation during the strenuous times 10
csme Here is the Watita Club house.
where Donnelly, Schardt, Golden and all
the rest of the labor leaders have pitched
their camp, and here is the place where all
the orders instructions to individuals, ad-
vice to the doubtful and encouragement to
the haltng will be distributed with free
hand. Around lot 100 feet square, adJom-
ing the club house. has been built renee
twenty feet high. made of boards two
inches thick. The only entrance to this IN
c!osure is through the Watita Club. and a
Gordon of guards has been stationed at the
sole entrance TO scrutlnize every vlsltor
and to hurl out without ado any spy that
may be detected from the forces of the
enemy.
Initial Mass Meeting.
Evidence OF fighting enthusiasm was
shown today when thousands of strikers
and sympathizers began to stream up Hal
sted and 47th streets and concentrate at
the Watita corner, for the strikers initial
mass meeting was held today. which
as the leaders had predicted, was rousing
one System has been agreed on as a key
note to the proper management or the
strike Each man who responded TO the
sympathetic call yesterday, or who had
already been out OF work since the strike
first began. was possessed OF or was thel
given a ticket bearing all the dates in the
month.
Each man as he stepped up to the en-
trance to the Watita inclosure was forced
to present this card and men were there to
punch out the proof of his appearance. BY
this means II is planned to keep tab on all
the strikers from day to day. Defections
from the ranks will be easily checked up.
Wave of Shouting
When the meeting came to order there
was a great wave of shouting that sounded
ominous enough to the packers managers
and trusted assistants in offices not far
away. All the strike leaders spoke briefly
TO the crowd and their talking was inter
rupted repeatedly by applause
While enthusiasm seemed to be running
rampant. the strike leaders fully realized
the Importance of the fact that the team
sters. heretofore most powerful in Chicago
in making strike successful, were not yet
out. Much pressure was brought to bear
during the day on teamster leaders to have
the walkout called. the sooner. the strikers
kaid, the better. While the rank and file
of the teamsters appeared heartily in favor
of joining their striking comrades. the con-
servative element among the leaders were
said to be holding back and not inclined to
jump into the turmoil without more delay.
Hunger and Desperation.
That hunger is felt among some OF the
driving them to deeds OF desperation was
illustrated today when throng of women
and children descended peddlers
wagon at Wood and West 43d streets The
sight of the wagon piled high with water
melons. peaches and other fruit seemingly
maddened the crowd, which In instant
swarmed over the wagon, seiZng every
thing within reach. despite the action OF
the peddler IN raining blows right and left
with his whip. Finding his stock fading
away, he drew a revolver and fired into
the air to scare off the invaders. At the
sound of the shots u crowd Of men ap-
peared and charged the peddler Flee
ing for his life before the enraged crowd,
the peddler escaped by jumping on a pass
Ing trolley car When the police reached
the scene the wagon was found stripped.
Even the seat and movable boards had
been carried off for firewood.
Packing House Teams.
Convinced that the teamsters intended to
so on strike. the packers today decided not
to run the risk of having horses suffer
sickness that frequently attacks animals
when suddenly taken off active work.
Preparations therefore were begun to send
NIL packing house teams to the country,
where the horses may exercise In open pas
tures.
Every wagon owned by independent
packing company WAS today placarded con-
spicuously with this legend: Union wagonr'
This was to prevent union sympat thizers
from interfering with the drivers.
In addition to sending horses away, the
packers formed II new plan OF action. by
which the necessity of horses may be avoid
ed The packers say they will ship all their
meat out of the yards by railroads to the
various branch store houses throughout the
city The butchers will be told to come in
. their wagons and get the meat from the
branches.