Los Angeles herald., 1905-01-19
SOCIALISTS URGE MONSTER
DEMONSTRATION
GREAT STRIKE is SPREADING
Collision Between Workers and the
Troops May Not Be Avoided.
Trouble Delays Work on
Third Squadron
nv Associated Press.


strike situation is becoming very grave.
strike, and the movement is spreading
to the big cotton mills, which employ
over $4,000 operatives. Meetings have
been called for tomorrow, at which the
Socialistic Democratic leaders will use
their utmost endeavors to convert the
strike into vast political demonstra-
ton, which at the present crisis might
have most serious developments.
The authorities are adopting every
precaution to avoid an outbreak, but
the Socialist Democrats are squirting on
the strikers, and there is great danger
of collision with the troops, which
would be almost sure to be followed
by red flag demonstrations, accompa-
MED with great bloodshed. The COM
munity is full of sensational rumors
and rioting is generally expected.
In conjunction with the Epiphany
celebration, which will occur tomorrow,
the meetings of strikers will make the
day critical one for the police.
Troops in Control
Thus far, however, the Strike has
preserved a purely economic aspect.
The great industrial quarter of ST. Pc
tersburg presents the appearance of an
armed camp.
The idle factories are surrounded by
cordons of police and patrols of in
fantry march about the snow covered
plains. The strikers are led by priest
named Gopon, who is idolized by the
workmen and who represents them in
negotiations with the employers.
This is the first great strike in North
ern Russia. Hitherto the workmen
have been unorganized and previous
strikes at st. Petersburg have not in
volved more than 10000.
The strike leaders claim to have
funds enough to hold out for month,
hut this isAdoubted,' and the lack OF
Money and privations of winter, and
pSrhaps government interference, are
expected to make the strike short and
sharp.
The strikers. who first declined an
offer of financial support, are reported
to have accepted a contribution from
Moscow.
Strike Delays Squadron
The strike has an important bearing
on the war in the far east, as every
days delay in completing government
contracts with the iron works means
the loss of precious time in the start
ing of the third Pacific squadron.
EARLY today the employees of the Neva
shipbuilding works decided to support
the strikers of the Putiloff and Franco
Russian works. Subsequently 10000
OF the men of the Neva works in
formed their managers that they had
gone, out on a general strike.
The strike at the Neva works in
wolves the suspension of the construc-
tion of submarine boats which was
of an American engineer, and also the
work on two ocean-going vessels SINH
lar to those of the volunteer fleet and
several gunboats and torpedo boats.
besides the preparation of war ma
terial urgently required for naval and
military purposes. The completion of
the gunboats and torpedo boats had
been ordered within two months.
Ask Minimum Wage of Fifty Cents
1t is feared that the men employed
at the Obukhoff steel works will join
In the movement, thus adding 10000 to
the ranks of the strikers.
Following are the demands of the
Putiloff works strikers
First-The dismissal of the foreman
who is objected to by the union and
the reinstatement of the men who were
dismissed for belonging to the union.
Second Eight hours work per day.
Third-The valuation of work to be
made by joint committee of workmen
and foremen.
Fourth-The appointment of a joint
permanent committee of arbitration.
Fifth-A minimum wage of so cents
per day for unskilled male labor.
Sixth-Overtime work not to be obli-
gatory and to be paid for at double
rates.
Seventh-The men not to bear the
cost of condemned work when not re-
sponsible for it.
Eighth-A minimum wage of 35 cents
per day for unslilled female labor and
the establishment Of a creche for chill
dren.
Ninth-Improved medical attendance.
Tenth-Improved sanitary conditions
in the workshops. especially in the
smithies.
Eleventh-Immunity from punish-
ment for strikers.
Twelfth-rhe average rate of pay
during the strike.
Eight thousand operatives Of the
Stiegelitz cotton mills struck work to-
day. demanding an eight-hour day.
At meetings of the workmen. without
distinction Of belief. today it was de-
eided 10 support the strike.
The employees at three additional fac
ipentlnasa on Pa9s Fwo,l