The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-07-25
Thousands Led by Tillett Shout
Appeal That Peer Be
Stricken Dead.
TRY TO STORM DOCKS
Many Women Hurt in Bitter
street Figlt-ThOusands
Are Starving.

Of London. on several occasions during
far on one occasion as to threaten to
chastisc his lordship or fight him a duel.
rather startled the British public to-day
by invoking the Deity to strike dead
the chairman Of the port authority.
This occurred al great meeting on
Tower Hill.
Coincidentally with Tillett's public
praying thousands of strikers paraded
the streets. attempted to storm the
docks OF the clyde Shipping Company
and fought a bitter battle with strike
breakers and constables.
Lord Devonport Is cordially hated
undoubtedly by the strikers and their
grievance against him has been aggra-
waited by some Of the radical labor
leaders. There WAS vast crowd pres
ent on Tower Hin when Mr.. Tillett
reiterated past accusations against
Lord Devonport and accused him Of
numbering children and women and
men by starvation. Tillett said Lord
Devonport deserved to die. lie would
not ask his hearers to Kill him. but he
would call upon God to strike him dead.
He then shouted:
'Oh. God. strike Lord Devonport
dead
Tilletts audience repeated his words
in thunderous chorus. The eagerness
with which the men responded to the
leaders request reflected the fury which
Is felt toward the man fixed on by the
strikers as the scspegoat for their en-
poyers.
James OGrady. who withdrew yester-
day from the House of Commons be-
cause the Speaker would not permit a
debate on the strike. referred Ia Lord
Devonport at the same meeting as the
earth's worst criminal.
The fight at the Clyde Shipping Com.
panys dock gates did not arise from
Ben Tillett's prayer. 1t was apparently
a spontaneous attempt to get at the
free laborers within the dock at Wan.
ping. About 1000 men had returned
to work. sympathy was evoked by the
parade In the city and an attack on the
strike breakers was suggested. The
gates were Immediately stormed. but
they did not yield. Mounted and un-
mounted police quickly arrived and
dubbed and scattered the rioters. MANY
fled with bleeding heads and faces.
Numerous women were trampled down
during the melee and several .police-
men were kicked and Knocked down.
The fight lasted only a few minutes.
Joseph Havelock Wilson. president Of
the International Seamen's Urion. who
arrived In this country last Monday
from Australia by way OF San Fran
cisco already is organizing with a view
10 making another attempt to call a
national strike OF transport workers In
support OF the London dockmpn.
In an appeal issued to-day to the
workers for immediate funds to aid the
starving families In "doCkland" MIR. Will
son announces that he intends to visit
Oil the ports In the United Kingdom
ana urge that the men be ready for
action In the event OF the London dis.
pute not being settled favorably TO the
men.
In some quarters II Is reported that
general strike OF transport workers
will be declared July 27
The suffering Of the strikers familie.
has become so dreadful that the public
IL filled with horror. The streets in the
dock yards districts are filled with hol.
low eyed women and children reduced
almost to skeletons and so weak tina,
they are hardly able TO stand. MANY
have died OF starvation. The number
OF the victims Is so great that the an
thorities and private charitable orrani.
cations are unable to cope with the
situation.
There has been much criticism OF the
methods employed In precipitating the
strike OF the London dock workers.
which has brought a multitude of fam.
lies 10 the verge OF starvation. and
friends OF labor have been severe in
their condemnation OF the leaders nj
the striking forces, Ben Tilett. who
publicly prayed in the streets OF Lon
don yesterday that God would strike
Lord Devonport dead. and Tllletts col.
league. Tom Mann
1t Is asserted that there was no nren.
aration for the strike, the strike order
having been promulgated by officials
Of the National Transport Workers
Federation without the formality OF Civ.
Ing the members Of unions a chance
to vote on the question. Neither were
affiliated organizations consulted at ali
to see II they would cooperate after
the strike had been declared. Many
OF the local heads OF unions. II is ar.
serted. bitterly opposed the idea Of q
strike and advised against 1t, but hav.
Ing declared that a strike was In order
the heads OF the federation found them.
selves under the painful necessity OF
urging the unions affiliated with the
federation to disregard the admonitlont
OF their leaders. This naturally caused
lot OF trouble. and real friends OF or
ganized labor Insist that the action OF
the London leaders will tend to the de-
struction rather than the upbuildinR
Of unlonism In England.
The National Sailors and Fircmen's
Union, composed Of 10000 men, which
successfully engineered the strike o.
1911, has prevented Tillett and other.
from bringing about a national strike
Soon after the present strike was or
dercd the union declared that thcr,
would be no strike OF the sailors ant
flrrmen without q ballot Of the mem
bcrs decided upon by our own execu
tive"