New-York tribune., 1905-02-11
81. l.PETERSBURG'S DANGER.
N"7he Rapidly Spreading Labor
ers iR Ugly Hood.

. FSo iV-St Petersburg Il
again FACE to face with renewal OF the Iabo-
upheaval. caused chiefly by the failure Of the
"orkInea TO get payment for the time they wsrs
out on strike. added to the fact that there has
been no adjustment of the demands which Lea
to the strike last month The Putt,ofr To-,
works where the former strike began. is play
ing the principal part There are thirty thou
sand workmen already out within the metrop-
oils. and the worEnen of the torpedo factory
at kolpino, eighteen miles distant, have also
Joined the strikers. There is a strong prospect
OF the movement extending.
Only energetic measures by the trooDs ana
police prevented the resumption to-day Of the
former tactics of the strikers marching from
factory to factory and inducing or compelling
employees to lay down their tools Thus far
there has been no disaster in St Petersburg.
The authorities appear to have the situation well
in hand in this respect. and it is generally be-
ieved that precautions have been taken which
will preclude the repetition Of the bloodshed Of
January %. However. circumstantial reports
that the revolutionary element is about TO join
with the strikers and resort to bomb throwing
are causing grave apprehension
The workmen to-day held number OF orderly
meetings in open fields. and big assemblages are
scheduled for tomorrow. Sunday will he the
crucial time. The position of the workmen is
distinctly weaker than it three weeks ago.
for they are without money while the authori-
ties are not repeating the mistake Of under
estimating the gravity of the movement.
Father Gopon's organization still exists but Sc
cretly. and it is less effective.
On the other hand. the employers realize the
Importance of prompt settlement of the work
mems grievances. but have allowed weeks to slip
by without deciding on united action few
have made concessions. but most of them have
refused. holding that to grant the demands Of
the workmen would mean bankruptcy for the
employers. They appear to believe that the
government is trying TO make them shoulder the
onus of settling political difficulty. and have
appointed committee to draw I'D a memorial
20 Finance Minister Kokovseff. setting forth
that the governments persistent efforts to con-
cillate the men have not borne the expected fruit
and that the anger caused by the events OF
January % has been augmented by the delay
in settling the grievances
Reports from many factories show that the
hands are ripe for trouble and likely TO strike
Father GO2on's organization is reported TO
have appointed thirty-three delegates. who are
to request Governor General Trepon to permit
the workmen 10 send a representative delegation
to Emperor Nicholas and present a pro-
gramme of labor reforms. In case OF refusal Of
this request they are to repeat the attempt to
march to the palace square. There is no con-
hrnation of this report. and it is extremely
doubtful if the men can be induced to re-enact
their part in the tragedy of January %
The dispute at the Putilof Iron Works centres
in the question of hours. The men since the re-
sumption Of work there have been quitting al
the end of eight hours. The manager ordered a
proportionate reduction OF their pay. and
yesterday posted notices threatening dismissal
II the men did not work the regular time. ten
and a half hours. The men tore down the
notices. and this morning delivered their uIti-
matum of eight hours. with no reduction OF
wages. The manager refused TO concede the
demand and the entire works were deserted
within hour.
The strikers induced the employees of a neigh
boring chemical works and a sugar factory 10
join them. and the car works and other estab-
lshments in the neighborhood are already idle
The accessons to the ranks OF the strikers have
reduced to idleness the entire section between
Moscow and Narva Gates. except the Russo
American Rubber Works and one other factory
The scenes in this quarter resemble those OF
the troublous times in January. Strong forces
of Cossacks and mounted police during the day
trotted about the strike district OF stood al ease
beside their horses at points where trouble was
expected. and infantry and marines plodded
about the roads ankle deep in slush. sharp
thaw with rain. having set in last night Strons
THE TIME TO GO TO WASHINGTON
via Pennsylvania Railroad leaving New York
TUESDAY. February 2 Round trip rate and al
necessary expenses for three days. s2 and S4 -.
according 10 hotel selected. Consult G. Studdz,
q p. A.. No. aS 5th Ave-. New iork--Advt