The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-26

Johnstown and Steelton, Pa, Spar row Point, Md, and Lackawanna N. Y.
 It is possible the strike may spread" Rife said. At & mass meeting in Johnstown last night, at- tended by $500 persons, they said they were ready to go out if we asked, or if the EESP voting was started there."
 TrunSbauer's assistant gave no reason for cancelling the conference the first which had been arranged since the strike began, according to Rife.
 Ready For Trouble
 Asked whether any trouble was expected in restoring picket lines, and SWOC spokesman said
 We might, but we'll be ready for it."
 A company statement said that "all steel making departments are working at full capacity"
 Almost 30 per cent of the regular forces are at work" 1t added.
 John c. Long, Bethlehem Public Relations director, said the normal force on the 2 a. m. shift would be about $500 workers.
 The company, 1t was indicated, was awaiting reply to Governor Arthur H. James telegram to the U. s. Mediation Board at Washing ton, asking immediate action ito relieve the threat of serious rioting and serious delay in defense work" i" before taking any action.
 Although neither Governor Arthur H. James at Harrisburg nor Colonel Lynn G. Adams, state motor police commissioner sent here by the gov- ernor, wotld say whether the 300 state troopers guarding the plant had been ordered to prevent picket ing, all persons were kept out of a two-block area surrounding each of the gates to the plant.
 Workers Unm0Iested
 As a result workers reporting for the 2 a. m. day shift, entered the plant unmolested for the first time since the strike was called two days ago in protest against the firm per- hitting the employees representation plan, an alleged company union, to conduct an election of officers in the mills, there was no violence.
 About 200 workers on foot en- tered the main gate. In addition about 50 automobiles, each carrying from one to four men, went into the plant at the same entrance. Smaller groups went in the other entrances. Company officials claimed that nearly the normal day shift force Of 5000 men were in the plant. The SWOC claimed that less than 2,OOO men were in the mills.
 A group of strikers gathered just outside the prohibited zone near the main entrance but no attempt was made to form @ picket line. Thirty live troopers were at the main gate.
 A. G. Lewis, general manager of the plant, issued statement say- ing the Saucon section of the plant "is working 100 per cent" The sau- con mills constitute the plants sec- ond largest unit, the Lehigh mills being the first.
 Carry On Quietly
 Strike Director Howard T, Cur. tiss told strikers mass meeting early today:
 We must carry on quietly in the next 24 hours. We should not 90 near the gates of the plants, par- ticularly in any number all the military resources of the state arc on the verge of entering this dispute and if that should happen there would be terrible slaughter"
 (PennSylvanias National Guards. men have been inducted into the army and no state militia has been organized to replace them. hence the state police force is the only statewide enforcement agency.)
 Curtiss said he had sent Gov. James a telegram protesting the state policemen's cruelty to our women and children" He said the policemen had used their clubs in- discriminatory in routing the pickets from the plant gates to ad- init non-strikers.
 He urged 1000 strikers who at- tended the meeting not to realiate against the police although know there is a desire to wipe them off the face of the earth"
 Fourteen strikers, four city and one state policeman had received hospital treatment, mostly for head injuries, in the pas 24 hours. There had been widespread club pings, fist fighting, overturning of automobiles and hurling of gas bombs by both sides. the strikers using bombs taken from overturned police cars.
 John Rife. field director for the Congress of Industrial Organiza. tions in charge of Bethlehem SWOC units. said he would seek an injunction. if necessary, to re- store the picket line.
 Violation Of Rights
 T will see Col. Lynn G. Adams, head of the state police. to see what can be done about this viola ton of our constitutional rights" he said. After all. 1t Is bard to keep men in an orderly picket line if police use tear gas and night sticks we are ready and able