Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-09-22

Deem expressed mat money VIII Not e
lacking
Labor leaders Eere asked today Il
they knew Of any efforts being male
20 bring about q suspension Of the
strike no~ that il 10 on They said
they did mot Up to the last minute
there was a faint hope .seld out that
President Wilson might ind a way
cut. but nothing has come from him
TO the union leaders
No information came from the cor
porAtion side Of the contest todas
OMcials Of subsidiary companies AMI
Independent concerns during the past
week. declared that they would ope--
ate tteir plants If they could ana
they have made all preparations i,
do 30, and protect their loyal work
ers and property Guards were n
duty at all the steel mills in this dis-
trict City and borough authorities
in Allegheny county also are pre-
pared for any emergency. Union
leaders in their circulars and othe>-
wise have cautioned the men against
violence. The American Federation
Of Labor has won all its-great pre-
gress by peaceful and legal methods, =
says the strike order.
There was no attempt made today 70
predic. the number Of men who will
obey the strike order Noses viii be
counted tomorrow and we will know
pretty well by Tuesday how effectively
we have tied UP the steel plants sail
Secretary Foster.
The action of borough authorities in
breaking up mass meetings today vas
taken on the authority of z proclama-
ton by William s. Haddock. sheriff Of
Allegheny county. which includes the
city of Pittsburg
The proclamation states that the sher-
id has been formally notified By many
citzsns. indus trial corporations and en-
ployers that printed infammatory en-
culars and other information has been
distributed and disseminated among the
people calling a general strike Of all
employees Of various Industrial MANI.
facturies throughout Allegheny coun-
ty, with the request that they cease
work and leave their places Of employ
ment. and by reason thereof there now
exists among the people great unres..
uncertainty and doubt as to the safety
Of life, liberty and property
TIE proclamation notifies all mayors,
burgesses. justices of the peace. con-
stables ana policemen TO maintain pub
lie order. II further says:
'Aii peace officers throughout Alleghe-
ny county until the present emergency
has passed are commanded TO dispense
and prevent upon the highways or va.
cant property of all populous sections
the lettering or gathering Of three or
more persons"
Tarentum. Breckenridge and Cat-
roma today were posted with cards
calling upon the iron and steel work.
ers to strike. Ministers in the
churches Of the three towns offered
special prayers for safety Of the
workers and asked for divine aid n
avoiding violence and bloodshed. In
some Sunday schools auiences were
told today 40 avoid spreading "a IL
cal rumors.
A small detachment Of state police
arrived In Breckenridge for duty.
Police superintendent A1derice To-
day swore In more than 100 men TO
act as sub-patrolmen in Pittsburg
during the strike, saying that re
would probably swear in several huu-
dred more.
No attempt was made by borough
ofncials to stop a mass meeting to-
night in a hall in Homestead. I. w.
Reilly, secretary Of the Homestead
Of the American Federation
Of Labor, acted as chairman and told
the workers that "a per cent Of the
iron and steel workers in the plants
Of the Homestead Steel Company.
the Mesta Machine Co.. the Harbi-
SON. Walker Refractories Company.
and the Keystone Car Wheel Co..
had signed cards to strike tomor-
row. He cautioned the men against
any kind Of demonstration or acts of
saying that such methods
would injure their cause.