Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-18
COMPANY'S ATTITUDE
AGGRAVATES HOSTILE
STRIKERS FEELING

PITTSBURG, July 17.-Fresh out
breaks and acts of violence are hourly
expected at the Schoenville plant OF
the Pressed Steel Car company at Nc
KEGS Rocks, as the result of the ap-
solute refusal to receive delegations OF
strikers by President f. N. Hoffstott
yesterday.
Mr.. Hoffstott declared he would not
treat with the representatives or the
strikers under any consideration, and a
spirit of animosity prevails.
In the face of the apparent tleup by
the strikers, company officials assert
that 1000 men were at work yesterday,
and that twice that number are eager
TO return. They declare every one of
the departments of the car company
will be in operation on Monday.
There are more than enough idle
men in Pittsburg TO fill every vacancy,
said Hoffstott, "even were we to dis
card the fact that the strikers would
like to- come back with u.s."
of the $500 men who walked out on
Wednesday, all but 600 will be en-
ployed. Those considered as ringlead-
ers and being primarily responsible for
the strike have been officially dis
charged, although they will not recog-
nize the fact.
Defends Wage System
Energetic denials were made by
President Hoffstott of charges OF un-
fair methods and of the ruthless tax
ing of human life. He also defended
the pooling system of wages, declaring
il spurred the men on to their best
efforts and under 1t workmen earned
more than they would il paid a fixed
sum.
In spite of the quiescent attitude of
the strikers the company officials still
fear attempts at the destruction of
H1n1tNz oct mir
teen additional deputies were sworn in
by Sheriff Gumbert yesterday after
noon, making a total of nearly 250
deputies and forty-one members of the
state constabulary who are now
guarding the plant.
A typical demonstration of the attl-
tude of the strikers was instanced yes
terday when a striker found helmet
which had been knocked off one of the
constabulary. The khaki headgear was
placed on a long pole and hundreds of
men, women and children danced about
it. hooting and jeering at the mute
symbol of martial law.
Women Outright Men
Their shouts attracted the troopers,
who charged the group. A brief battle
ensued, during which the women out
stripped the men in ferocity. 1t ended
when the crowd rushed to the landing
800 beds. which the company intended
TO install inside of the plant for the
use of their men. After a desultory
clash the cots were landed and placed
in a stable inside the works.
The men sleep side by side with the
horses.
The strike movement seems to have
gained strong sympathy in certain Ia
Dor circles. 1t is rumored some few
Pittsburg laborers have gone to NC
KEGS Rocks and augmented the forces
of the striking men.
Several resolutions of sympathy have
been passed by local union organiza-
tions. The standing committee of the
Building Trades council of the Amerl-
can Federation of Labor has Issued a
statement to the country at large ue-
claring conditions at the plant so in
toierable as to require the strike or
even unorganized workmen.
The general public is asked to sub
scribe to a fund which will enable the
men to subsist until they obtain the
victory, which the committee declares
certain.