Evening star., 1937-02-25

the management can get along with
out the workers"
Picket Line Divided.
At Groton, Conn, State police
forced strikers at the Electric Boat Co.
submarine plant to divide their picket
line today into two sections. Union
leaders protested and a wordy argu-
ment ensued.
Under the order, which was put
in force as the day-shift workers en-
tered the shipyard. the sidewalk must
be kept clear for space Of approx
mately 100 feet in front of the en-
trance.
Harry L. Bowman, president of the
unions local, argued heatedly with
State Police Sergt. Roy B. Pettingill
and when the officer refused to re-
peal the ruling, said he would carry
the protest to Anthony Sunderland,
State police commissioner.
Besides the 200 or more pickets now
patrolling in front of the shipyards,
few marchers posted themselves at
a side gate, several hundred yards
away, where union officials charged
workers had been "sneaking in"
P. P. Robinson, Electric Boat Co.
works manager, said There was no
question but that more men reported
to work today than yesterday" when
he estimated 1,700 Of the nearly 1000
employees were on their jobs.
A.,l. 81 IL
asserting that between 200 and 300
worked yesterday and that certainly
no more went in today"
Company officials and union repre-
sentatives remained firm in their re-
fusal to talk peace.
It Portsmouth, Ohio, day workers
reporting at the Vulcan Corp, plant
found the night crew sitting down at
their posts today. Col. A. L. Mercer,
company president, said he had not
been advised that a strike was in
progress.
Members of the day crew said they
had not been advised of the situation.
No representatives of the employees
inside the plant, where about 500 per-
sons are employed manufacturing shoe
lathes and wooden heels, could be
reached.
Mercer estimated about 200 persons
were in the plant. He said no de-
mands had been received.
The company operates plants at
Ehngham, Ill; Amigo, Wis. and
johnson City, N. Y.
Sit-Down Strike Spreads.
The sit-down strike Of aviation
workers spread today from the Doug
las plant at Santa Monica, Calf, to
the factory of Northrup Corp. a Doug
las subsidiary employing 1000 men.
The plant was closed as picket lines
formed around the place. Later the
picket lines disappeared.
Douglas officials, announcing the de-
velopment, could give no estimate of
the number of men who struck.
The situation at the Douglas fac
tory, where the strike entered its third
day, approached climax.
The strikers invaded new territory
in the building, going into the loft"
where some offices, including the
drafting sections, are located.
They also entered the room of
Government radio station and barri-
caded themselves In it.
The strikers moved toward the en-
ginering department where 200 men
were still working. Plant officials dis
patched guards Immediately to the
engineering section.
The strikers beat on the locked doors
of the engineering department.
A heavy rain operated to disperse
picket lines outside the plant. For q
time this morning the pickets were OH
active duty.
Indictments Prepared.
Meanwhile District Attorney Buron
Fits in Los Angeles prepared indict-
ments against 60 men in connection
with the Douglas strike.
The indictments charged q felony,
violating that section of the penal
code prohibiting 'forcible entry and
occupancy Of any property.
"The principle of collective bargain
ing is not involved in the present ac-
tion, but the principle of whether or
not q citizen is to be dispossessed of
his own property by striking or resign
ing employees Is involved" said Fits.
Likewise, the protection Of millions
Of dollars worth Of Government prop
erty is involved. This Office serves no
tice that every resource at its COM