Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-18
LAWRENCE STRIKERS AND
MlLiTiAMEN HAVE CLASH.
CONTINUED from Page one.)


existing strike. was not nearly so re
fnarkabie as was the visit unaccom-
panied and without visible concern,
of the strike leader whom many per
sons have blamed as the nstigator Of
the violence which has marked the
strike since his advent to the city.
But Ettor is an unusual man, and
does unusual things. 1t required only
tho word from a newspaper man thar
the military leader had expressed a
wish to see him to bring him forth
into the very citidel Of the citizen sol
diery whom the strikers regard as
their natural enemies He did not
know the reason of his coming, nor
it is believed, did the newspaper man
who arranged the meeting. Ettor went
into the state armory and was in Sc
cret conference with Col. Sweetser
for more than an hour. Another meet
ing was arranged. at which ii is un-
derstood Col. SWeetser will communi-
cate TO Ettor developments in the plan
which he proposed, including the at
titude of Gov. Foss and, possibly the
mill agents, in the matter With TINS
latter possibility, the possibilities Of
the meeting itself loomed large. to-
night
Three hundred Armenians employed IN
the different mills voted at a meeting,
tonight. to Join the strike and 800 Ger
mans, although not in sympathy with the
strike voted at another gathering to re-
main away from work until the trouble
is over Most of the Germans are en-
ployed at the Washington mills.
The mule spinners who are members OF
the United Textile Workers of America
also met, tonight, and voted to have a
general meeting, tomorrow night. At
that time it is hoped to have Secretary
Urban Fleming of the National Mule
Spinners' Union present, and the position
of the union will be definitely settled. a
committee of the mule spinners has re-
Gently conferred with the mill agents
and the result is expected TO be made
known at the meeting, tomorrow.
The mill district is being guarded more
closely than ever, tonight, and no one IS
allowed on Canal street, leading to the
district, without permit. The sound of
a shot on Chestnut street during the eve
ming, caused some excitement. but the
police were unable to learn its source
Three operatives also reported that they
were attacked while passing through
what is known as the Old High School
alley on Oak street, tonight, and rough
" used. No trace of their assailants
could be found by the officers and sol
diers who were Immediately sent out.
Oswald E. Dart, the Waterman at the
Pacific mills, who was hit over the head
with club during fracas. Monday, was
reported, tonight, to be in critical con-
dition. At first it was thought he was
not seriously injured but today it devel-
oped that he had a broken collar bone
and other injuries. Joseph Ettor, the
strike leader, in a statement made. late
tonight declared the strikers to be gain
ing. He said that more workers were
leaving the mills and that he looks for an
early victory.
Lawrence Mass, Jan 17.-Conaict
between the textile strikers and the
state militiamen, who have the mill
district of the city in charge, broke
out afresh, today. A mob of 5000
strikers, who had paraded through
the city, was subdued only by the Wig
orous use of clubs and swords by
members of Battery C, Light Artillery
of Lowell when the strikers entered
the mill district within which zone,
naEtlaI ldW Has DttH htNiai0o. 1$iNNs.
Buckley had thrown a line of militia
men across Canal street, opposite
Hampshire street, 10 defect the
crowd. The strikers offered resistance
by pushing and use of fists and some
managed to penetrate the line OF SOL
diers. despite the blows from the mil
itiamen's clubs and the officers
swords, which rained upon them. The
larger part of the crowd was driven
back and the combat ceased for q
moment. After being forced up Hamp-
shire street, tile strikers began to
lombard the soldiers with ice. bricks
and tin cans. several of the militia
men being hit. None suffered serious
wounds. Many of the strikers sus-
tanned injuries to heads and bodies
by clubs and swords and two had
their faces badly cut in the same
manner Several children were
trampled upon in the melee.
The strikers We're finally allowed to SO
up Canal street and when they reached
the Lawrence Duck mill bridge, half Il
mile away, they made an attempt to|
cross. The Wood, Aver and Lawrence
Duck mills are at the other end of the
bridge and apparently We're the objects of
attack DN Tue crown. 1Diil'eilS ~ via
Regiment, of Lowell, in command of
First Lieutenant J. F. Davis, was in
charge at this point and the officer or
dered the strikers to continue on down
Canal street without crossing the bridge.
An interesting episode occurred here.
One of the strikers, who was carrying n
big American flag, held it up and cried
out, This is the American flag. 1t can
90 anywhere In a moment Lieut.. Da-
Wis had ordered his men to salute the
ilel and the mlitiamen had drawn up and
presented arms before the nations en-
bleIn, when the strikers apparently at
tempted to take advantage of their po-
sition and a rush followed as if 10 cross
the bridge. In another moment Lieut..
Davis had ordered his men to "charge
bayonets'' and the flag was railed in the
snow by the Italians who had stampeded
when the strikers We're forced to retreat
before the bristling steel. No trouble
developed beyond this point. the crowd
ultimately dispensing.
The troubles which grew out of the pa
rade were the most serious of the daY,
but minor disturbances in which the mi