Hickory daily record., 1922-10-16
RENCH MAYOR IS
[ANAT IN
STRIKE:

Havre, France, Sept. GA strike
| in France is not necessarily 4 mere
demand for more money to an un-
derpaid group of workers. It is at
times collective attempt at self
double aspect of a political end a
tied without raising the question OF
wages if the strikers are convinced
that they have maintained their posi-
ton and been recognized as constitut-
ing serious problem for the authoT'i--
ties.
The metal workers of this city
went on strike. They wanted an in
crease in pay and better conditions.
There was violence only when the gov
ernment took over the police function
from the Mayor of Havre, and sent
in soldiers.
AT last we are being recognized,
was the spoken thought OF the strik-
ers. "Now let us show ;i>e world that
we are being recognized" So thev
started in to harass the city police;
the mounted police, and the troops.
The batting took the shape Of tauncs,
jeers and rock throwing.
mo civilians can fiaunt our power,
said the officers in charge Of the
soldiers. Our position must be main
tanned and recognized" So they stood
their ground, stood the taunts, while
someone sent FOR the mayor.
This official hurried to the scene
of thd encounter. The strikers, voic
ing their rights as citizens and men
20 walk through the streets; persuad
ed him to ask the soldiers to retire.
But how can we?" asked the soldi
ers. I'VE have our position to main |
tain. We cannot sacrifice our SELF
respect as officers and servants .of,l
the government" The mayor, being !
diplomat, finally persuaded the
soldiers to withdraw fifty feet, .and
this made it possible for the stfik- |
ers to exercise their rights as men
and promenade in front of thei:,
headquarters.
Set up by their victory, the stri}-
ers soon began again to. badger the |
sodiels. This was too much, and I
and after due warning the trocps !
opened fire. The workers answered i
with pistols. A ooU5 100 men, strikers !
and soldiers, were wounded. The blood |
letting relieved the tensencss OF the
situation. The workmen had prove1]
themselves worthy of the 1ecogni- |
tiGn accorded eilofit, and the aGEaad,a t
forces had done their duty.
But the outbreak OF violence was |
duly investigated, and the mayors
reception room was used asfa stage
to dramatize the situation. To this |
ctiice came several strike leaders; re- !
p,esentatives of the longshoremen !
union; the chief Of the detective force; |
mihtary officers; the chief OF several
members Of the national pariament;l
and a large number of news paper !
There. the Situation was rehears-
Gd. All hands talked at once. The
mayor attempted TO reprlmand one
official for not having carried out
instructions to arrest certain Fsttik9fI \
sls. Tbs official wearing flowing |
and side-whiskers OF the |
Dundreary type. had remained With |
out speaking for half an hour. AS |
the mayor began to talk, he raised |
his hand YEARLY and protested;
Monsieur le Marie ne said you
don't understand. l am very tired. An J
ATTEMPT was made to kill me. AS well
as Messieurs the strikers, | too have
my position to maintain
At the word position the mayor
stepped recriminations. "lndeed, II
is true. he said. Each OF us must
maintain his dignity, his position.
This closed the proceedings.
There was some talk, day or SO
later. on the part Of the strikers OF
invading the fashionable watering
place Of Deauville, close to Havre,
but as they felt they had, on the
whole. maintained their positions,
most of them went back to work with
out raising the question Of WAGES;