New Britain herald., 1926-03-04
'BL0ODSHED FEARED
 AS STRIKE GROWS
Labor Organizer, Speaking in
 PaSSaic, Warns Of Trouble
RIOTING ALREADY OCCURS
Strikers Dispersed By Police, But
 Not Before Newspaper Men and Camera Men Are Roughly Used
 By lnfuriatcd Mob,

Passaic. N, J. March lPl-The strike ot 1000 workers in the wooIen mill districts here, quiet for most of its six week duration, today had as- sumed serious proportions.
 Within the past two days police have disposed strikers by force. last night resorting to the use of night sticks 10 scatter 5000 workers on the boundary line between Clifton and this city.
 Strike leaders denounced the use of force and announced they would continue picketing the mills.
 Newspaper reporters and photog- raphcrs were the chief sufferers when police bore down on the gath nring with night clubs. Ten still and motion picture cameras valued at S4,0O0 were smashed when photog- raphers tried 10 take pictures of the riot. One woman reporters notes were taken from her and torn up.
 The riot was the sequel 10 anoth- CT the day before In which strikers were dispersed with water from fire hose after gas bombs proved inef- tive in high wind.
 Albert Weisbord, union organizer, threatened to picket the Botany Worsted mill and other mills with women, children and babies in car- riages as the result of the first riot. Because of cold weather, only one baby carriage appeared, but, many women and children joined a gath ering at the line dividing Clifton and Passaic. Police of both cities were present. One man bore a gas mask and another wore a steel trench hel- met which police removed.
 News photographers who went to Chief of Police zober Of Passaic to- day were told that he would not guarantee them freedom from police interference.
 At the Botany mills ten of the 300 persons who paraded up and down on the sidewalk opposite the en- trance, wore trench helmets. There were many women, but no children in line.
 Motorcycle and mounted police pa trolled the streets. When crowds gathered mounted police rode up on the sidewalk dispersing them.
 Eight strikers arrested yesterday for disorderly conduct In front of the Gera mills, were released today by Judge Davidson.
 Iron trench hats were seen all over town. Four of the Gera mill pickets appeared with this style of head covering and police forced them to remove the hats.
 Police Chief William Coughlin, of Clifton, announced today that he would not allow the use of flashlights in the taking Of news pictures. He 9 ascrihcd much of yesterdays clash to excitement caused by the frequent flashes.
 The possibility of bloodshed, which strike leaders have insisted they wanted to avoid, was mentioned by Albert Welsbord. said to be Phi Reta Kappa man Of Harvard, who is leading the workers. 'I dare say that within q few days We may have some hloodshed," he admitted.
 Undaunted today, Weisbord and other leaders directed that mass picketing continue at all Of the seven mills most seriously affected.
 Police have instituted a reign Of terror. but We haven't been whipped yet" said Wcisbord.
 Jersey City, March 4 LP,-Gover- nor Moore is convinced that the To- cal authorities are able to cope with the strike disorders in PasSaic and Clifton and he will nor proclaim martial law in the troubled zone. he said today, when reached in Toronto.