The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-06-16
Closed Down Tight eve pot the mills closed dow

"We've got the mills closed down about as tight as possible.
 '"The company has appealed to the men in every way possible by radio, telephone and personal solicitation-to come back to work. The men didn't come back" But at the gates of the big mill and in the streets of the workers district, it was apparent that the real test had not yet come. Vigilantes wear ing fabric helmets ana carrying pis- tols and clubs dashed through the streets in taxicabs. Officials esti- mated that at least 175 such volun- teers sworn in by Mayor Shields, were on duty to prevent disorders outside the picket lines. They were aided by city police.
 Troopers Watch Lives
 State troopers, steel-helmeted and with night-sticks ready, watched the picket lines.
 At every main gate of the plant, a group of 25 to 30 pickets marched in close formation m a steadily, circular maneuver that frightened the iron-band around the mills yet observed the regulation that they keep moving.
 Beyond them, smoke stil lpoured from the chimneys of the big mills but the usual clamor of work was missing.
 Officials Admit It Company officials said the strike was effective in some departments" Strike leaders said most of the mills were virtually closed down, and that only a few men-unmolested-re- turned through the picket lines this morning. Mayor Shields said "a lot of men went back to work" but he declined to say anything further regarding plans for a mass march back to the plant.
 A survey of the seven-miles of mills along the river showed that at least three departments were virtually closed down.
 The first sign of violence today came when bomb was hurled over the Gautier gate and exploded just inside the company property.
 Later, a shower of light bolts and nuts rained down on pickets from men inside the plant.
 Misunderstanding Clash
 A clash with state troopers oc- cured due to a misunderstanding Tickets, aided by endorsements resting in nearby backyards, were keeping tense watch when an automobile load of seven state troopers appeared near the upper gate at the Franklin plant.
 Other sections of the steel mills, some of which could be seen from outside. appeared to have only a few workers on hand or to be de- serted except for watchmen.
 Company guards were on duty inside the plant gates. but at mid- morning the contest between pick cts and back-to-work groups ap- peared to have settled into a mo- mentary calm.
 | Bitter at Mayor Watkins was bitter in his denun- citation of Mayor Shields who he said promised him before the walk out went into effect that he would recommend that the plant be closed down if the strike were effective.
 We are going to do everything we can to keep the plant down as it is now" he said. Mayor Shields says he has appointed these depu- ties. Who is paying the deputies? Why should the taxpayers be re- quired to meet the cost of break ing Bethlehem's strike? Because Mayor Shields has decided to be the chief strike-breaker for the Bethle- hem Steel Corporation.
 Watkins claimed the Cambria plant is practically closed down. There are more than 12,0OO men out on strike. The plant has never been down as completely as it is to- day with the exception of the great flood of 1886.
 No Desire to Do Harm
 We have no desire to keep the mills down a moment longer than is necessary in order to have the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. sign contract with the organization af- fected. Why doesn't Mayor Shields recommend the plant be shut down as he said he would?"
 S. D. Evans, management repre- sentative, admitted the strike was effective in several departments of the huge plant. He added, however, that:
 We are continuing to operate the plant and with the improvement in law-enforcement conditions as out lined by the mayor we expect every department to be in operation to-