Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-16
THE MILITIA IN CHARGE.
tContinued firm Page One)

decrease in cost to them. They de-
mand also double pay for all overtime
work. 1t was stated that the opera
tives would do away with all overtime
work IL they could, but they believe
that by doubling the pay for this ex-
ira labor, calls to perform it will be
decreas ed,
The conference had the result i'm
mediately sought by the strikers. that
of securing City hall for their meet
ings and large gathering was held
there, tonight II was also agreed
that the strikers be allowed to have
representatives pursue peaceful picket
duty at any mills they desire to have
covered, tomorrow morning. This will
be done under the supervision of the
militia and it was agreed between
Mayor Scanlon and Ettor that should
any of the picketers handle or abuse
in any way the persons whom they
try TO persuade to remain away from
the mills, that they will be subject to
arres.
The suggestion was made by May
or Scanlon at this meeting that Ettor
leave The city and return to New
York, the mayor declaring it is his
belief that the strike situation would
have been much miider if it had not
been for Ettor's tactics. The New
York organizer answered the mayor
that he would not leave the city, but
would remain here and direct the
strike as long as he could. If arrest
ed, he declared, it would mean only
that other organizers would be sent
here. He then announced his intention
of presiding at the meeting held. to-
night, in City hall.
The strikers started their efforts to
cripple the mills by maintaining a
rigid picket service long before day
light, this morning.
In driving snow storm the pick
cts took up their duties several hours
before the mills We're to open. When
the intending workers We're not moved
by words they We're grabbed and
showed about until they had been
forced beyond the limits of the crowds
which stood about the mills gates.
These tactics We're successful in
forcing many mills to close, although
the mill agents say that if all the
willing workers had been allowed to
enter there would be no need of shut
ting down their departments. They
declare that, tomorrow morning, I'M
der the protection of the militia, they
will be able to secure the help neces-
sary to partially operate their plants.
The early efforts of the strikers CEN
tered about the Wood and Aver and
the Washington mills of the American
Wooden Co. At the Wood and Wash
ington mills they repeatedly battered
at the gates, but only two men We're
able to enter the Wood mill on these
assaults and they were promptly ar
rested inside. 1t was found, however,
that number of strikers. posing as
intending workers, had entered the
mills and We're intimidating women
and men by brandishing clubs. Many
persons were forced from their ma
chimes by this means and the mills
were forced TO suspend work.
From these three mills, the strikers
activity moved down the North canal
to The Lower Pacific and Atlantic
mills and to the Prospect mills A.
ter arriving at the gates before the
Lower Pacific and Atlantic mills, the
crowd got more troublesome. The po-
lice attempted to hold them at bay
as they pressed over the bridges
which approach the mill proper over
the canal. The order came to use
clubs and the officers soon had beaten
the mob into temporary submission.
One of the strikers then drew a re-
volver and fired two shots, neither
of which took effect. Half dozen
lines of fire hose were then drawn out
from the mill and with the water
turned on at n great force, the
streams were directed at the crowd.
1t was effecttIal in keeping them at
distance from the mill, but did not
lessen the officers troubles. More bull
let's began to fly from the mob, one of
the mem holding a hose line being hit
twice in the hand.
Then the striking band invaded the
coal cars along the canal and began
fusilade on the windows in the Pa
cifc mills. Practically every window
on the canal side was broken and the
missiles were then aimed at the At
lantic mills storehonse, nearly all the
windows here being also smashed. The
band then reunited their efforts to the
Methuen street side of the PACING
mills weave shed and windows We're
also smashed here. Many of the flying
missiles landed in the crowd and for
time there was great excitement.
Mary in the crowd were hit by pieces
of coal, some being cut on the face
and head and the disorder reached
such a height that it was found neees-
sary to take drastic measures to pul
q stop to the rioing.
AT this point the militia was called
for an on their approach matters
Quoted down considerably.
A big crowd still gathered about the
lower Pacific mills, however, ant
Capt Randlett of Co. T. ordered them
10 move on. Failing to do so, within
two minutes. the time allowed, the or