The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-07-19
FRISCO STRIKE
NEAR COLLAPSE
Hugh Johnson Sits Firm in
Saddle: WaIkOut to
End Quickly.
Continued From Page Onel

that barber shops would reopen,
Iaundries would resume and miscel-
laneOus unions would return to
work within twentv-fOur hours at
the latest. The first blow at the
strikers came yesterday when John
son fired the first blast
The FEDERAL government can not
act under the continued coercion
of the general strike" he an
nOuuCed. The first step to peace
and agreement is to lift that strike
order Until that is done I have
nothing to offer
Programs Are Altered
Word went around that public or
carnations were prepared to sup
pOrta large scale movement to re-
sumo the movement OF goods, not
only from the piers-where thou
sands of tons of freight have been
heaped due TO the maritime strike
but through all other normal chan
nels. Reports. in no way denied,
we're circulated that fleets of trucks
were ready. manned and in order,
to begin a major offensive against
the freighting embargo.
Selling the psychology of the mo-
ment there was a rush from both
employers and strikers to alter their
programs and convert as much of
the situation as possible into vic
tory.
From the labor temple where sat
the general strike committee which
for three days had ruled the
economic and even the home life Of
the citizens with startling strength.
came the announcements that the
City's 1000 Unionized restaurants
would be permitted to reopen. that
butcher shops. which had been
selling what meat they could get
during the day under a twenty-four-
hour diSpensatiOn, would be allowed
to remain open: that gasoline de-
liverieS would not be interfered
with. and several minor orders.
Employers Strike Back
They represented the efforts of
conservative labor leaders. never
favorable to the strike and always
c0gnizant of its danger to the labor
movement. to save their cause from
being wrecked by public defiance.
Then. during the evening. employ
ers. definitely on the offensive for
the first time since May 9. struck
at the maritime unions.
We have radioed all our captains
afiOat." came a laCOniC statement
from r. Stanley Dollar Of the Dol
lar Lines. ito lay a course for san
Francisco.
san Francisco has met ana an
Swered the threat Of inSurrecuon.
This Is our home port and it is 60
ing 70 be"
Almost simultaneously William P.
Roth. president Of the NIatson COM
pany. announced:
We have radiOed our captains TO
alter courses for San Francisco.
Our vessels vii be brought to berth
Immediately. The citizens of San
Francisco have again shown us a
city that knows how. Our home
port Will be happily welcomed by
our passengers. crews and staff"
Seen As Challenge
Nfr. Dollar indicated these an
nouncementS foreShadowed a rush
of shipping TO the port A Concen-
tration of all available bottoms. he
said. Will be necessary TO move vast
quantities of cargo stagnating on
piers and III warehouses awaiting
the end of the strike.
just before these statements were
issued. Harry Bridges. left wing
militant leader OF the marine strike.
had indicated that his uniopS-ten
in number-might ignore entirely
the proposal of the general strike
committee that they accept arbitra-
ton Of their disputes with ship
owners and with employing steve
dOreS. He indicated they would
continue the port blockade even If
the general strike ended and they
were cut adrlft by the more con-
sentative wings OF union labor.
Hence. the announcements by the
steamship owners that they con-
slider the port open 10 commerce
once more. was a direct challenge.
II IS understood TO be backed by
determination If not by actual force.
While union leaders fought in the
labor temple the meditation board
held a constant succession Of meet
lngS and conferences.
II the general strike is called of
and the threat OF marshal law re-
moved. I can settle this thing in
twenty-four hours" General John
son said.
The board not only demanded the
general strike be ended. but that
the maritime unions submit all
grievances. including the question
Of control OF longshoremen'S hiring
halls. TO arbitration.