The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-04-30
CRAVEST FEARS
FELT IN EUROPE
Regarding Possibilities San
culinary Disturbances To-
m0rr0W-May Day.
Ian DEMONSTRATIONS
Labor Unions Prepared to
Show They Hold Power to
Paralyze Business.


Paris, April 30.--Q.N.S.)-The grav-
est apprehensions are felt throughout
Europe today regarding the possi-
bility of bloody disturbances tomor-
row-May Day. Never in the history
of organized labor has May Day been
charged with such dire possibilities Of
conflict.
From Italy, Germany, Belgium,
Austria and Hungary reports have
been flooding into Par Tduring the
past week foreshadoI monster
demonstrations by working
classes, who claim to been more
sorely stricken in all :. bects by the
war than any other : SIS. Every
where the authoriti are watching
acutely for any evf {, ees of organ
ized labor disorders S she troops and
police OF the contit s are being held
in the leash to be- cred out at the
slightest sign of b evik uprisings.
ItaIia9s ialists.
In the industr forth of Italy So
cialists have been extremely active
throughout the whole of this month.
Milan and Turin both fear disorders.
The war has hit Italy economically
with worse effect than that suffered
by any other great power of the en-
tente group. The consequent suffer-
ing of the working class has rem
dered the work of the agitators easy.
But it is known that the government
has taken elaborate precautions
against serious disturbances.
All over the continent the workers
have declared a general holiday to-
morrow. Although in France the So
cialists are still indignant over the
acuuittal of Villain, who shot their
leader, Jaures, the workers are ex-
pected to pass the day in peaceful
demonstrations.
The original plan of the general
confederation of labor was to have all
work cease throughout France. but
their organizing work Jagged and
finally they decided to confine the
DAYS idleness to Paris and the de-
partment of the Seine.
Strike Complete.
In all of the shops and Offices the
Labor Day strike" will be complete,
the only exception being on the rail-
ways and among the street car and
transport workers. On the railways
all activities will be suspended for
three minutes. Trains will ne
stopped, booking clerks will close
their books, porters, cleaners and IN
spectors will all LAY Off for q short
time in order to give emphasis to
their demands for improved condi-
tions.
Insure Power Of Unions.
Only partial stoppage was made
on the trolley and motor bus lines,
where many women are employed as
well as men.
The labor leaders realized that TO
paralyAe the public systems of trans
portation would do more harm than
good to their cause.
This temporary halt was planned by
the workers to prove to the govern
ment and the public generally that, II
the claims of the laboring class are
not conceded, the trade unions are
sufficiently well organized TO carry
out a big strike on short notice.
labors Demands.
Briefly stated, these demands are as
follows:
Eight hour work day, with week
end rest for all workers; a minimum
wage averaging so cents per hour;
cost of living bonuses which were
awarded to meet inflated war prices
to be made permanent wage increases
and an admission of all workers; the
right to retire on state pensions after
twenty five years spent in some use
full branch of labor.