New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-02-04
STRIKE REVEALS PLAN
. FOR COUN1RY-W| FIGHT
Lawrence Trouble, Coming Prem
aturely, Deranges Scheme
for National Movement.
DEBS WAS TO BE HEAD
Government Official Declares
Workers Are Plotting a Social
Revolution - Labor
Factions Unite.
[By Tolcgr1ph to The Tribune. |

Lawrence, Mass Feb 3-The sudden
calling out of the 22.cO0 millworkers three
weeks ago has revealed fully matured plans
for nationwide textile strike on the in
ternationdl Labor Day. May I, and the
Inauguration Of social revoutiOn-a class
war-according to a declaration made to-
day by G. 3. Gordon immigration inspec-
tor, who has been investigating the stu
alton here for the federal government
Mr.. Gordon declares that the strike here
was really an accidcnt-the result. of a sin
gle nights agitation over the enforcement
on January OF the ji-hour law With the
strike, however. came the arrangement OF
the scheme Of the Industrial Workers of
the World for a tremendous demonstration
on May |. and the leaders of this organiza-
ton at once jumped into the fray. With
the aid Of the Socialist party they have
, since dominated the struggle i'm this city
Thus. the advent OF Ettor. Giovannett
/ Haywood and others is explained.
Eugene V. Dcbs, who was to have given
the big movement his support. Is now
aiding in every way he can. according 10
| Mr.. Gordon. the struggle of the proletariat
for the mastery of the political and in
duStrial powers of the state and nation, OF
which the Lawrence strike IS only part
Mr.. Gordon's opinion was substantiated
by a prominent government official, who
did not wish his name mentioned. This
man declared IL was an undispUted fact
that various revolutionary clubs of this
city, under the direction of the Franco
Eelgians, had perfected plans for the In
auguration Of a nationwide textile strike
on the international labor day, May /. He
further asserted the plans for such a strike
might be carried out.
Two important conferences are sched-
uled for Tomorrow. one. under the au-
spices Of The Industrial Workers OF the
World, will consider the idea of extending
| the strike to other cities, particularly
among the mills of the American Wooden
| Company. in New York. New Jersey and
New England. and the other, called by the
| local branch OF the American Federation
Of Labor will be held for the purpose OF
| appointing committees to wait upon the
mill officials with view to securing some
wage concessions and bringing about a
settlement OF the differences.
The entrance of tho American Fedora
ton OF Labor interests into the matter
came IA surprise, as most OF the organ"
of the rival organization, the Industrial
Workers Of the World. The meeting called
by the federation men Is TO be held at
the Central Labor Union Hall, and VIII be
open TO representatives Of all branches or
textile workers, regardless Of union afhlia-
ton.
All concerned in the strike realize that
Monday morning will be "A critical day.
Min officials are making every effort TO
induce a larger number Of operatives 10
report for work when the mills open on
Monday while the strike leaders are work
ing hard tn Counteract these efforts
An attempt was made to-day 10 asCer- .
tain the status OF the strike al the end or
it's third week. The strikers claimed that
OF the 81 900 persons employed In the tex
tile industry in this citv under normal
conditions not more than 5000 are now at
work Mil agents on the other hand assert
that their plants are running at between
o. and 80 per cent OF capacity. BUSINESS
men and other neutral observers place the
number Of operatives at work now at about
1000 TO $4,000