Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-21
BY FRANK H. FULLER.


DANVILLE, Va, December 90
Sporadic disorders and bombings that
have directed attention to the strike in
the Riverside and Dan River cotton
mills here are incidents in a grim in
dustrial struggle that has been termed
the spear-head of the American Fed
Grafton of Labor's major effort to bring
trade unionism to the South
with Christmas week approaching
under heavy blanket of snow, the con-
tending forces are as far apart as the
poles. .a
The striking workers demand recog-
milton of their union and collective bar
gaining. The mill management has
asserted collective bargaining never viii
be recognized and has declared it viii
fight to a finish"
Use Nom Union Labor.
While this drama slowly unfolds the
mills which nominally employ about
5000 are running with non-union work.
erS in undetermined numbers.
On one side of the controversy is H.
r. Fitzgerald, president Of the mills,
who has refused to see union repre-
SentativeS. As the son of the founder,
he has managed the huge plant under
the industrial democracy" system, es-
tablished in 1919, which provides for q
house of representatives composed of
workers, q senate composed of mill SUI
perintendentS and officials, and the
president of the mills with veto power
Fitzgerald was noted for welfare work
done in the village.
On the other side is the union with
Buford Nash, former speaker of the
house OF representatives in the indus
trial democracy" as president. Nash
was discharged from the mills because
OF his union activities before the strike.
Unrest Year Ago.
While the bone of contention has SIM
mered down to recognition of the union
and collective bargaining, there was dis
satisfaction among the workers a year
ago.
They opposed q 10 per cent wage cut
and favored part-time operation If cur
tailment should be necessary. They
protested further against an alleged
"inhuman Stretch-out system" under
which the number of looms tended by
worker was increased.
The workers sent committee to see
William Green, president of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. Green sent
representatives and a local OF the
United Textile workers was formed.
Fitzgerald refused to see them, but
offered to hear workers grievances
through the industrial democracy"
The strike was voted and September
20 the workers walked out with COM
plete union Endorsement.
Intunctions Are Issued.
Non-union workers gradually ap-
peared. There were picket lines to be
passed, reports of intimidation came
forth. Two injunctions Pittsylvania
County and Danville City-were issued.
Then came November "a. Mill whis-
ties blew and non-union workers en-
tered in considerable numbers. Two
nights later there was demonstration
and near-riot In Scheduled, where the
Dan River unit is located.
Gov. Pollard ordered out the 116th
Infantry Regiment on advice of his
personal representatives, when disorders
continued the next day.
Since then troops with fixed bayonets
have patrolIed the mill areas Dam
ville's police force has been doubled
Gov. Pollard ordered that picketing not
be prevented. Military officials, how
ever, have rigidly enforced regulations
against mass picketing. Meanwhile
several non.union homes and the house
of a magistrate have been bombed.
The union diSclaimed any knowledge of
violence
Just before retiring from the cabinet,
Secretary Of Labor Davis sought to set
tie the strike, but his invitation to the
mill management to come to Washing =
ton was declined. William Doak, his
successor, has, announced he would fol-
low up the efforts at Cancellation.
Food is dispensed to union members
from a commissary supported by SYM
pathetic contributions and union funds.
Christmas week will see eviction
hearings against At families in mill
owned homes.