Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-26

ran "~Au' AAc'' april I0.-\opeCldl).
l-One hundred and twenty or more
men, nearly all Polanders and all en-
ployes Of the United Paper Board Co.,
at the Fairfield mill started a riot
saturday morning which still promis-
es grave consequences and is the
cause of much anxiety among the res
dents of this section. At late hour
tonight it is understood that the num-
Der has been swelled to 200 and that
they are making no secret Of their in
tention to close the Benton Falls mill
Monday They hope to accomplish
this by the same methods used at the
Fairfield mill. dragging out employees
from their work. The Fairfield mill
l was Indefinitely closed at o'clock
Saturday night and will remain so
Auntil the strike is settled. Circum-
Stances may impel the calling out of
. the militia company at Waterville
officials were reticent tonight as to
Precautions taken but it was stated
Nm high authority that arrangements
have been made for suitable protec-
Jon for the company's property.
] 1t is now believed by the authorities
CHAT adequate provisions have been
snade for dealing with the situation
9ut uncertainty exists from the report
shat professional organizers have
s3oined the men and will direct further
moves of the strikers.
The mill officials declare the trouble
Zones from a force of so men employ
Md about two weeks ago to peel edg
aHgs in the yard. 1t is claimed they
agreed, for the sake of having work,
Eto accept s125 a day until better po-
|ati1s We're open but struck when
Wound the regular employees were
Zeceiving $3.50 day The strikers on
Me other hand allege their grievance
4 in a double cut of wages. The OF
eir seems on the face of it to be the
Elimination of bitter feelings of long
landing against the head officials OF
|he company.
Outbreak Expected
This showing of feeling does not
q PINE as a surprise to many, as such L
disturbance has long been anticipated.
fThe introduction of foreigners as la
forers at the Fairfield pulp ill has
been an eye sore to many toWnsmen,
5ho thought the inhabitants could do
hat work When the foreigners
Fere first put to work at Fairfield it
aused no little comment. The north
; md Of the Island where the mill is sit
ated is where the larger part of the
tregners live, and they have grown
IN into quite colony, keeping to
Eemselves. and only coming over
bwn to trade.
The first knowledge of anything wrong
Jas made known when Mr.. Prue, who
uns the motor car between the barking
he'd on the mainland and the mill on the
land to carry edgings. saw the large
ody of men coming across the bridge
EDWARDS the mill as the car was being run
. the barking shed. He claims that
3hme of the men took up rocks and large
leces of coal which they hurled at the
rotor car, and he then started the car
ack to the mill with the men coming on
dose behind. The first door to reach
lfter crossing the bridge is the one that
pens directly into the furnace room. A
afge number of the party made their
say into the mill through this door and
hacked everyone in their way. Mr.. Hall,
Employed in the wood room, was struck
the lower jaw with missiles from the
lands Of the strikers, and Mr.. Oliver
e@sas also injured about head, also a Po-
sander
y At that time those in the office We're
84y aware of the seriousness of the
5SFocedngs and the police and sheriffs
IRE summoned, quickly arriving on the
- NFne in automobiles and teams. The.