Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-15

Lawrence. Mass, Jan 14.-That Sc
rieus trouble was likely at the open
ing of the various textile mills to-
morrow morning, was the belief, to-
night, of city officials and the police
Fears were expressed that the worst
strike in the history of the city might
result. if the wishes of the strike
leaders are carried out by the opera
tives, and instead of the 5000 employees
now out, idleness would come to
about 25.000 hands. District meetings
We're held. today, by large majority
of the foresgn-speaking mill workers
and the leaders expressed hope that
general strike would be called. It
was stated that at every mill, tomor
row morning, the strikers Will attempt
to persuade the workers who intend
continuing work in the mills, to re-
main out. 1t was limited that forcible
mea sures might also be used by some
Of the strikers in keeping operatives
from entering the buildings.
To prevent any riotous scenes when
the gates are thrown open, tomorrow
the police. tonight, arranged for extra
special officers. and preparations were
completed to keep the strikers within
lawful bounds. It was reported that
the local companies of the militia
would probably he called upon 10
turn out for duty at the mills because
of the large numbers of strikers and
alleged threats, today, that acts of
violence were to be committed, tomor-
row.
In order to avert the outbreak, to-
~ a ognar4I
shutdown be called by the mill own
ers until such time as conditions be-
come nearly normal again, but no ac-
ton in the matter had been taken, to-
night. Policemen guarded the mill
property, tonight, from any possible
attempts Of destruction. With the eX-
coption OF The Everett mill, where an
indefinite shutdown has been called,
because of the strike; the kuDhardt
mill and the Lawrence Dyehouse.
where the workers have been paid
at the regular 56-hour-a week sched L
ale. all the mills will be visited to-
morrow morning, by large delegations
of thet strikers, most of whom are
foreigners. IN the Italian. Polish AMI
Lithuanian churches, today. the
priests urged the men and women not
to resort 10 acts Of violence. lteN.
Father Mariana Milanez of the Itat-
ian church announced that he NVouli
visit the mills in the morning. and at
teinnt to prevent trouble. The mills
in which employees to the number ei
5000 have already struck are the
Wood. Aver, Everett, Atlantic, Wash
ington. Lawrence, Duck, Prospect
Pacific and Arlington. In all these the
wages of the employees have been re-
duced slightly because of the new 3D.
hour law under which the mills are
run two hours a week less than here
tofore.
Both sides have announced they intend
ed to remain firm in their claims, the
mill owners stating that they could not
AFFORD to pay the same money for a
shorter week of labor and the operatives
for tie most part feeling that they have
been unjustly treated in having the'1
wages reduced. The majority of English
speaking mill employees have not struck
and ii was stated will continue to worh
under the new scale. should the number
of operatives that returned to work, sat
urday. report, tomorrow, the mills car
be run on a curtailed basis for an in
| definite time, it was said by the mil
agents Arrangements for calling out tn
militia, if this is found necessary, wer'
completed, this afternoon, at confer
ence in the central police station. A
this meeting We're Mayor Seaman, Com
| missioner of Public Safety Lynch anC
other city offleials, together with polio
! officials and Captain Louis j Cox, Capt