The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-20
Factory al Oak and George Streets Turned Into Armed Camp--Thirty Women Work Inside--Patro'man in Uniform Watches Over Then--Armed Guards Lean From Windows ''RIdiCu- Ious" Say Strikers

Tn a practical state of siege, with pfckets in details of ten pacing back and forth, an armed guard said to be within, and forty-two +teducators brought from New York by squad of twenty-five professional strike breakers under the leadership ot the famous Buster Brown of Farley fame, the gray stone walls of the Ed wards & Company factory at the cor uer of Oak and George streets today presents a forbidding appearance.
 A special detail of police not only throughout the building but upon the approaches to the factory, have been granted by Superintendent of Police Birmingham in addition to the twen- ty-ffve detectives, strike breakers. and under the direction of Sergt. Philip RIausfieId both strikers and outside guards in front of the factory were either asked, or searched, for arms It Is known that within the factory arms and ammunition are provided against any possible attack of the opposition
 under guard of picked detectives supplied by the Fidelity Secret Service . Bureau of New York. personally d1- reeted by suPt V- J.; O'Farren. a forty-txzo exz>srt strike br eaking tail ors and cutters were landed from the steamer Naugatuck. at the foot Of South avenue Awaiting their arrival were Q picked squad of ten police men, three detectives from local head quarters and a score of Secret-serv1ce employees of the Fidelity Bureau. All persons known to be "strikers were warned from the pier although two women adh to their cause were permitted to witness the landing of their enemies.
 Through a double line of police the men were quickly placed in marching order under the direction of Buster Brown and marched to Water street and Fairfield avenue, where a few minutes wait was made until an Oak street car appeared According to the the crowded oar 68 persons were paid for by those in charge
 Al the factory entrance they were met by a number of the so-caHed .1Efrtfxers'' who, though closely scruti- rFfzing each individual, made no at tempt to approach them, or otherwise factory. A special detail of police were posted at the mill awaiting their coming. as from the reports of detec- lives who had previously mingled among those in the streets it was known that men with prison records were in evidence
 tin of the cutters division and Will liam Barcan of the tailoring division, special meetings of the strike com rnittee of the Ladies Garment Work ers of America were held in secret places yesterday afternoon and this morning. It was announced that J. HaIpan, president of the Joint Board Of the Cloak Makers Union had ar rived fn town this morning to con .sider placing the matter before the American Federation of Labor. with which the cloak makers are affiliat- ed. It was stated on the part of the union men involved that a, clear case was held against the Edwards shop for violation of agreena ents and that violence would not be needed. It was further stated, that while not contem- 17ock-ozt'' of employees might result in a general strike being called by the federation.
 pointed by the Cloak Makers Union and funds are said to be coming in p1eutifuIly- Those in charge declared that the pfcketing will continue, de- tails of ten being appointed to pa rade in front of the factory for two hours berore relief. It is proposed to that strike Is in progress and to request their remaining out. That the strike breakers who are also rningling with the strikers may pre- cipiSate breach of the peace troubles :s feared by those who picket the streets
 g reporter for The Farmer said upon inquiry "Yes, I am the well known strike-breaker known Buster Brown" I served with Farley until
 
 have been in many bitter struggles during the past twelve years. I shall handle this strike in a manner which will bring it to a finish. I have a picked body of men, who can work when peace is assured but can also fight when necessity demands. We are here to break this strike, and we find our employer also a fighter. shall take full charge of the situa- tfon- These men I am bringing up ilere will be boarded and lodge in the factory and my special men are well armed for any emergency that may arise"
 when seen at his offices today MT. Edwards, president of the company bearing his name was very bitter at +he accounts published by the papers, but finally consented to be quoted yerba tim as follows: ''An erroneous impression has gone abroad that there :s a strike or lockout here. There is no such a thing We discharged these t,p7pIoyes for a cause, not imaginary, but real There got to be cliques and factions here in the institution which were working against the interest of J.6use which we could not toler-