United labor bulletin., 1912-10-17
ORGANIZER MILES SHOT;
OFFICER OF 4. F. of [.
Was Doing Organization Work.
Illustration OF the Extent TO
Which Employers Will Go.

Springfield. Mass.-The lengths TO
which antagonistic employers Will so in
resisting the organization OF their men
is depicted in a situation now in effect
in the vicinity OF this city. Organizer
Charles A. Miles has been endeayorlng
to interest the employees of the various
mills throughout this district. and has
been successful to a considerable extent.
The Hartford Carpet company is bend
ing every effort to prevent the organiza-
ton of its employees. II is reported that
spies have been installed in various por-
tons of the factory, and private detec-
tiyes employed on the outside. Much
difficulty has been experienced in obtain
ing n meeting hall in which to hold the
gatherings OF the employees of this com
pany. and the police apparently are
working with the officials Of the factory
mentioned. AT an open air meeting. re-
Gently held. the police attempted to pre-
vent Organizer Miles from speaking, and
there is no doubt that agents of tie COM
pany did their best TO create a disturb
ance with a view OF discrediting the
movement Threatening letters have
been sent to those promoting organiza-
ton. these letters bearing the marks of
red paint. skull and crossbones. The
writer processes to be an Italian. but 1t
is such an obvious fake as to leave no
doubt but that these letters have been
directed by agents of the company. AT
Thompsonviile recently Organizer Miles
was threatened with serious harm.
While proceeding to a street car quite
a crowd composed of mixed element,
together with many overseers for the
company, followed Miles and threatened
to throw him into stream called Fresh
water Brook, and he was given five min
utes in which to get out of town. Re-
Gently on his way to n meeting hall Or
ganizer Miles was accosted by plain
clothes policeman and asked IL he had
a permit to carry firearms, to which he
replied that he had not. neither did he
carry any Upon leaving the hall he was
forcibly seized by the police and
searched for firearms, although none
was found. During the process OF
searching missiles we're thrown at the
organizer, and after the search he re-
turned to the hall. After remaining at
the hall for time the organizer pro-
ceeded to street car to return to
Springfield. While on his way someone
fred n bullet from n catapult or afrgun.
grazing his forehead and passing
through his hat. Two workmen accom-
panied the organizer to the car and We're
afterwards badly beaten up, one of their
assaiiants being special constable.
who. when recognized ran away. While
Organizer Miles is not seriously injured.
his rough treatment left him somewhat
bruised. Efforts are being continued to
organize these people. and the Ameri-
can Federation OF Labor has, through
the state Federation. demanded that an
Investigation be made of the conditions
existing whereby organizers cannot re-
ceive the same treatment as do other
citizens OF our country The foreign
element In these factories welcome or
SANITATION and no doubt exists but that
an effective union will finally be secured
by the organizers OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor.