The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-09-07
ITALIAN LABORERS
HOLD 400 PLANTS
Government Plans to Negotl-
ate With General Indus
trial Conference.

ROME. Sept. 7.-Governmsnt off,
cials win open negotiations with the
general Industrial conference at Milan
Thursday with view to solving the
problem presented by the seizure by
workers OF metal factories throughout
Italy, The socialist group In the Italian
parliament will hold a meeting with
the governing committee Of the general
workers confederation on Friday, ana II
Is expected that at this gathering
policy will be adopted by the workers
relative to the present anomalous con
dition OF Italian industry
II Is estimated that 400 Of the larg-
est metal works In Italy have been &C,
cupied by mechanics and workers ana
the movement Is st II expanding threat
ening to extend TO the extreme south-
ern end OF the peninsula. Elaborate
steps have been taken by the govern
rnent TO preserve order during the peri,
cd when a general offensive against all
industries is threatened.
Manufacturers declare that the wage
increase demanded by the 500 600 metal
workers employed by them would add a.
least /, ZOO, 600 900 lire TO their pay roll
and that this burden could not be sus-
tanned. They point out that Italy pays
Is times the prewar price for coal
while England pays only three times.
America only IS, France and even
Germany only II. As result, foreign
production is replacing Italian
Two members Of the ministry will go
to Milan and 1t is hoped the general
Industrial conference will take early
action on their suggestions. II this
action should he favorable II would
mean the end OF the agitation for the
occupation OF plants II II should be
unfavorable. II is impossible TO predict
the duration and possible consequences
of the struggle.
Strikers in this city believed last
night that an effort would be made by
the police TO take possession OF some
plants that hadNbeen occupied nv work
ers. They sounded an alarm with sirens
and Immediately crowds OF women and
children rushed to the occupied plants
the police. appears TO indicate the strik-
ers have agreed, In case of an attack
upon them, to protect themselves by tho
presence of women and children.
All night armored cars and armed
cyclists patroed the streets and ma
chine guns were placed in dominating
positions along thoroughfares, while the
idly curious were driven from the streets
by carabineers. hits activity led the
strikers 10 expect an attack, and they
lighted flares outside ~ the buildings
they occupied but the police and soldiers
eNluently na0 neen pTueTtu 10 merely
keep watch and prevent surprise at
lacks. All banks are strictly guarded
and their staffs are armed at all times.
In some plants near Turin the work
ers have broken open safes apd taken
money TO pay the wages they claim
are due them, says a dispatch to the
Tribuna. At the Fiat Automobile works.
strong boxes have been rifledL and docu-
ments and correspondence have been
taken, the newspaper says. Altogether
149 Turin factories, which employ thou
sands of workers, are In the hands of
the men.
Upon receiving orders from their
union, striking metal workers at Milan
have released engineers who had been
kept as hostages. II is reported the
prisoners were treated with the greatest
difference At Florence the strikers
have formed themselves into musical
bands In order TO relieve the monotony
OF their voluntary Imprisonment, while
in some other factories they amuse
themselves with Photographs