Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-31

1t was shortly before the hour for
opening the mills that the trouble de-
veloped at the corner of White and
Oak streets, in the so-called plains
district which resulted in the death
Of Rami, later in the day A crowd Of
SVrians and other strike sympathizers
had gathered at this corner and at
the corner of White and Chestnut
streets. nearby, with a small number
of flags, apparently to begin parade.
The militiamen had strict orders from
Col. Sweetser, and an ultimatum to
this effect had been delivered by the
colonel to Strike Leader Ettor, forbid
ding the gathering of any crowds,
anywhere in the city, and particularly
to prevent the formation Of any pa
rades Accordingly, the militiamen
who were patrolling the district order
ed the crowd to dispense. IIoots ana
jeers We're followed, it is said, by the
throwing of ice and snow at the mil
itiamen. some of whom We're struck
by the missiles. The soldiers then re-
sponded to an order to charge hayo-
nets" 1t is said that the crowd moved
so slowly that it was necessary to
prod number of the hindmost among
them with the bayonet points.
Ii was during this disturbance that
Rami who is p years old, received
The wound which caused his death. 1t
was a stab in the left side that pune
tuled the lung. Whether il was the
result of a bayonet or knife thrust the
doctors at the hospital where Rami
was taken would not say.
Following RANTS death, this afternoon
the physicians We're still reticent. OF Is
said that Medical Examiner George Doa
was to perform an autopsy on the body
with view to determining the nature oi
the wound.
While the general belief of those whc
witnessed the charge of the militiamef
was that Rami was bayonetted, the state.
ment also was made that he was not il
n position to have been stabbed by 4
bayonet, and that instead he was the
victim of knife thrust in the hands OF
someone in the crowd. The fact that the
hospital authorities would give no infor-
nation on this point led to much speefl-
lation.
Ettor again, today, voiced the possibil-
ity, which he strongly intimated is Il
probability that will develop shortly, Of
an extension of the strike in this CITY
to other textile centers. He was quot-
ed, today, as saying that definite plans
have been made to close up mills of the
American Wooden Co. in places outside
Lawrence. He refused to say where.
You want to know too much" was his
reply to the suggestion that it might be
in Plymouth, Mass, OlneyVille. r. l., o.
several other places which We're named.
e : loo. Ia34c .,f
Coxey,s army and who few years ago
led a small army of the unemployed up
to the State House in Boston, issued a
statement, today.
An effort was made TO have Ettor de-
clare himself as to whether or not the
strike leaders We're directing the move
ment along the lines of bringing about
revolution in economic and social cond.-
tons, as suggested in Mr.. Swift's state.
ment He said that while this is the ulti-
mate aim of the Industrial Workers of
the World, as stated in their constitu-
ton, IL had not been brought to the from
in the present situation, and he added:
81 doubt if more than q hundred of the
strikers know what a social revolution
He said further, however, that every
step made by the workers in the direction
of economic betterment is necessarily
change in existing conditions and we aim
to improve the condition of the working
class as much as possible"
Mr.. Swift's circular. which is in the
form of q letter requesting assistance.
follows in part
VIII you assist in a general strike to
bring the social question to crisis?
The rich are conducting a system of law
authorized robbery called business. This
will force the owners of unearned wealth
to agree to q reconstruction of the social
system. The paying of dividends must
be abolished and the income now squan-
iered by dividend parasites must be dis
-ributed equitably to the real producers.
This is social revolution. 1t is time
FOR it. If we begin this revolution in
MISUNDERSTANDING home of revolutions
II will spread through the nation and
he dead principles of the Declaration of
independence will be restored to life.
MORRIS I. SWIFT.
The statement of Etror, today, that the
Employees of the local street railway COM
pany and of the electric and gas power
plants are being organized into the In
1ustrial Workers of the World and might
De called out on strike, was denied, to-
night, by street car men and others. II
was said that the street car men are af
Gliated with the American Federation IF
Labor that they have no grievances and
hat there is no foundation for these
by Ettor.