Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-07-22
HAVOC FOLLOWS
BOMB EXPLOSION
Attempt Made to Blow UP Hell
vetia Plant When Strikers
Return to Work.
Especial to the Newark star.I

lopCchdA Aic sNtNfNEA
PATERSON, N. j., July 22.-With
a detonation that could be heard
for blocks around a bomb was ex-
ploded at the Helvetia Silk Mills on
Sixth avenue early today, bringing
hundreds of workers, who have re-
Gently been on strike, from their
beds to the streets. The bomb was
placed outside the building and
smashed score OF windows when it
exploded.
The Helvetia, Mills are among the
largest plants affected by the strike
of the Paterson silk workers which
has been waged for the past four
months. Recently number of
workers returned to the mills with
out having been granted their de-
mands.
Reports from various mills today
indicate that the workers have given
up the strike and are willing to re-
turn under the old conditions. At
the headquarters of the strikers.
however, it was declared that large
majority of the silk workers are still
on strike and will not return until
satisfactory terms are granted by
the mill owners.
Additional damage was done through
gas explosion which followed. AS
soon as the source of the explosion
was located the auto patrol with De-
tectives Kinney and Brooks and Re-
serve officers Mcguire and McNa-
mara, was rushed to the scene.
Explosion Broke Gas Supply Pipe.
The gas supply pipe had been
broken by the force of the bomb ex-
plosion. and Reserve officer McNa-
mara entered the basement of the
mill through the window from which
the screen had been torn off.
While he was looking about to find
the bomb some one attempted to give
him a lighted candle. No sooner was
1t passed inside the mill than sec
ond explosion followed, as the flame
then ignited gas flowing from the
broken gaspipe.
A sheet of flame which followed
burned the reserve officer on the back
of the head and neck. Acting Ser
geant Hurd, Reserve Officer Mcguire
and Special Officer McCoopery were
cilSO Dul Wy NhO S6S VNPAOSAOAis
The latter explosion also set off the
automatic sprinkling system, so that
In a few moments that section of the
basement was being flooded. Beneath
the sprinklers were slowed bobbins
and machinery parts, all of which
were damaged.
That side of the mill is. within
seventy-6ve feet of the rear of Par
meIli's saloon, on River street, near
sixth avenue, which has long been
recognized as one of the hotbeds of
I. w. W.ism in the city.
| Near by are large number of
| dwellings of people who have been
at work in the Helvetia mills, but
are out on a strike.
More Return to Work.
More employees returned to work at
the silk mills today. Manufacturers
declared that the strike of the dyers
was over, that only few small shops
were still idle and these because OF
lack Of work.
| The weavers will vote tomorrow on
the question of continuing the strike
Many of the weaving mills are run
ming and the employers hope that the
rest will be in operation by next week
| Whether eight, nine or ten hours
shall constitute workday is the only
apparent point in the controversy
that is keeping the remaining strik-
ing silk workers away from Their
looms.
Only the 1. w. W. leaders still In.
sist upon an eight-hour day. The
workers would gladly compromise or
nine hours. Manufacturers have agar
reiterated their intention to fight tt
maintain the ten-hour schedule.
On the question of wages there will
be no trouble, so far as can be ascer
tanned. All those who have returned
to work have been given increases ii
wages ranging from ten to fifteen pc
cent. and in some of the mills twent.
and twenty-five per cent.
William Brueckman, Socialist May
or of Haledon, borough in the sub
: urbs of Paterson. was indicted las
J night at a special meeting of tn
Pasaic County Grand Jury on
charge of "inciting to riot"
: His non-interference with meeting
t of striking silk mill workers is basi
for the accusation.