Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-04-01
Success of Strike Depends
on Ability of Two Mills
to Open.
VIOLENCE IS EXPECTED
TO FOLLOW ATTEMPT
City Official and Trade Boards
Suggest Arbitration to
End Difficulties.
prom a star Correspondent.

kHiont a DID OoffS8tuHueHl-l
PASSAIC, April Tomorrow MORN
ing is regarded by all as the
crucial moment in the textile strike
in Passaic and vicinity. Upon the
ability of the operators of the two
plants of the Forstmann & Huffmann
Co. to start work tomorrow depends
largely the success or failure of the
strike.
It is also feared that the question of
whether 1t is to be peaceful strike
depends on the attempt to open the
two plants tomorrow. The violent ele-
ment of the l. W. W., who advocate
less peaceful methods than Boris Rein
stein, have devoted their activities to
the employees of the Forstmann &
HUFFMAN plant, 1t is there that
trouble is feared.
Trouble, If it comes, will be serious.
Neither of the plants are in Passaic
proper. One is in Clifton and the other
in Garfield. Each of these places is
small, with only small police force.
In the event of a riot the Passaic po-
lice will have no jurisdiction and the
quelling Of the riot will be left in the
hands of private detectives.
1t is agreed on all sides by the strike
leaders, business men, professional mel
and city authorities that these private
detectives, in the event of trouble.
sometimes prove a disturbing factor
and cause more harm than good
With 5000 already on strike with
the Botany worsted mills on the verge
of closing, the outlook In Passaic and
vicinity is serious. While the strike
leaders have so far been able to keep
the situation we'll in hand. avoiding
any outbreak which might call for in
reference by the authorities. the
violent element is gaining strength.
Settlement Seems Distant.
Neither side is disposed to yield an
inch. While the question of an in
crease in the wages might be settled, 1t
is in the matter Of representation by a
shop committee in each plant that both
the employers and employees stand
firm.
George G. Rohlig, superintendent of
the Botany mills, and the managers of
the other plants, said at the beginning
Of the strike that while they were
willing to deal with committees of their
own men, they would positively refuse
to have anything to do with union
or any outsiders.
The strike leaders say now that they
do not ask recognition for their union
The recognition of the shop commit
tees they demand. This is to consist
Of a committee of the employees of
each plant to settle all differences be-
tween owners and employees. These
committees will have no outsiders or
members of the I. W.. w. They point
out that this is practically to what
the owners consented last week. An
open shop will be conceded by the
strike leaders, but they insist on shop
committees.
Omcials Want Arbitration.
City officials and members of trade
boards are disposed to arbitrate the
matter. It is feared that the injury
caused by even a peaceful strike will
be so great, If long protracted, that it
will take a long time for the city to
recover.
Citizens are hoping for a speedy end
to what promises to be the worst labor
war in the history of Passaic