Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-05-28
ISOvIETS GOVERN
CITY OF WINNIPEG
All Activities of Municipality in
Charge of Strikers
Committee.
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT MOVED
Firemen Join WaIkout, ard Police Are
on Duty by Permission OF the
committee-Mayor Stripped
of Authority.

Montreal, Quebec. May 22.-Strikers
deny that a soviet system of govern
ment has been established in Winni-
| peg, but here are the actual eondi-
tons:
The strike committee is in full con-
troll of every activity In the city. Food.
milk, light and water are being al
lowed only with the authority OF the
committee.
The seat of government has actually
been moved from the city hall to the
labor temple. Such restaurants as are
open bear signs Permitted by Strike
Committee" Sandwiches and beans
form the principal articles of food.
After being cut off entirely for two
days, the distribution of milk and
bread was restored Monday by the
committee, the delivery wagons bear
ing the permission card.
Mayor Charles f. Gray and other
city authorities are absolutely without
means of enforcing regulations. Police
remain on duty only by permission OF
the strike committee.
The shortage of food is growing Inn
minent. Many restaurants opened on
Sunday by permission, closed again
Monday because they had run short OF
supplies.
Homes well stocked with foodS'tfs
at the start of the strike are finding
the larder running low. Stores with
shelves swept clean have closed be
cause the lack of transportation pre-
vents the renewal of stock.
A press censorship has been estab-
lished by the strike committee, and all
press dispatches emanating from Win
nipeg are first passed on. In case a
story Is turned down, it is impossible
to get 1t out of the city, except by
crossing the international boundary by
train.
Industry In the city is completely
paralyzed Since its inception, the
strike has grown by leaps and bounds.
Fully $4,000 workers are now out. The
post office is closed and mail is piled
in heaps at the depots for miles out
side the city.
The commercial wires are closed,
death and government messages alone
being accepted. The train service pre-
vents absolute isolation Of the city.
Telephone, street car and postal serv-
ice are wholly out of business.
No newspaper has been printed in
Winnipeg since Thursday. Water is
at low pressure, and the electric lights
are maintained by order of the COM
mittee
The fire department has Joined the
strikers, and the apparatus is now
manned by volunteers. who are called
out time after time every night by
false alarms So far there have been
no serious blazes.
Labor leaders announced that all
western Canada stands ready to join
in the strike, causing the situation to
take on the appearance of social
revolution. Vancouver, Calgary Bran
don and Victoria have wired they are
awaiting the call.
Although the strike originated be-
cause of the failure of the Dominion
Bridge and Iron company, Vulcan iron
works and Hamilton Bridge company
to recognize the Metal Trades council,
Ernest Robinson, alderman and secre-
tary of the Trades and Labor council,
said before mass meeting of $4,000:
1--WE are out to win what labor pro-
duces. We may have to change the
system, but we win get what we are
after
Winnipeg, in spite of the strike,
hardship and danger of violence. pre-
sents gala appearance. Thousands
flock on the street. Girl strikers are
out in their best bib and tucker. The
theaters have been opened by permits
sion of the strike committee.
Gasoline was shut off, practically
driving the automobiles from the
streets. The card system has been in
troduced by the committee for allow
ance from the filling stations, train
men refusing to bring in tank cars.
Bank employees were sworn in as
special constables, all armed. The
inner safes of the banking institutions
are kept locked against possible trou-
BILE. 1t is reported that machine guns
have already been placed in the grain
exchange, Eaton's department store
and other places Sir John Eaton, in
the city from Toronto, threatens to
close the store for year If the
strikers win. The employees are
armed.