New Britain Herald Newspaper, September 28, 1915, Page 1

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L N EWSPAPERS PRICE THREE CENTS. NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1915 " LVING WAGE AND MINIMUM PAY FOR GIRLS AT N.& J. These Are DemanES— of Strikers Which May Afiect Entire ; East Side of Concern HIGH COST OF LIVING IS JUSTIFICATION FOR STRIKE Police Sent to Scene When Big Crowd Congregates But Bluecoats Are Not Needed—Strikers Reply to Machina Company May Experience dent Johnston Here Tomorrow. ‘Walkout—Fresi- A new strike broke out in the city today, when thirty-two workmen em- “wfployed at the North & Juéd Manu- facturing company after presenting their demands for increased wages and shorter hours, to cover the en- tire east side of the concern on Stanley street, refused to start work, despite the fact that most of tho number ‘went o their benches and machines awaiting the company's de- cision on the matter. It was short- «;dy before 7 o’clock that Superinten- ’dent Johnson of the concern arrived at the gate where he was met by a committee and presented with the de- mands, It is estimattd that several hundred were in the crowd, but only he above mentioned number re- fused to enter the factory. The Demands. “In view of the fact that the cost of living at present is much above our earnings in your plant, we, the em- ployees, demand and beg of you to, grant our démands, - an eight hour day and an increase in our wages. We want the following: Hours, eight a day, 44 a week; over- time, time and half: Men above twenty to receive, piece Py work, $3.00; day work, $2.75. Less than twenty to receive, from 18 to 20, $1.76; less than 18, §1.50. @Girls, female. employees to receive not less than $8 for 44 hours a week. “This committee is empowered to act in ‘behalf of all the employees, and can also settle as they find fit.” Talks With Employes. 4 Superintendent Johnson, on receipt |/ of the demands, talked with the men and assured them that they were at liberty at any time to meet him and discuss the matter further. In a talk ¥ with a reporter he assured him that the company has always been solici- tious as to the welfare of the men and on many occasions it has increased wages where it was deemed necessary. He cited on' incident this morning of me of the leaders in the strike who, after loafing nine months last year, ‘i%uflng the depression, had practically egged for work and it was secured | for him. When the present crisis ar- rived he was one of the leading movers for the strike. Foundry Still Idle. Superintendent Johnson admitted today that the striking workmen now number between 250 and 300. Of this number most of them molders who were among the first to go out. None has as yet returned to work but the company intends to start as soon #as enough of the workmen show an inclination to Teturn. Helpers have been at work in the annealing kilns for the past few days, and the brass foundry continues to operate, it is claimed. Police on Scene. ‘When the strikers left the factory his morning they congregated at the orner of East Main and Stanley treets. The place has been under police supervision for the past few days, but the corps was felt to be in- adequate. The patrol was summoned tc the scene and a number of the regular force were dispatched with it to disperse the crowd. The men moved away quietly and showed no inclination to become quarrelsome. Good Feeling Exists, During the talk with the reporter Superintendent Johnson spoke of the good ‘feeling existing between the officials and the workmen. He said that s the event of any of the men wishing to return they would be glad- ly accepted by the company and no animosity would be shown against them. He feels that the situation in the factory will be a matter of history in a few days and all will be back at work. 4 More Out at Screw Corp. From the officlals of the Corbin Screw corporation comes the informa- tion today that the ranks of the work- men have been increased today by at least 100. This is denied by the strikers, who claim more men have left. An employ of the speedometer room admitted today that that de- partment had joined with the strik- ers today. It was reported about the streets this morning that the factory was contemplating closing down in- definitely but this #s denied by offi- clals, ‘What the Strikers Say. ., One of the leaders of the striking mchlnl!ts at the New Britain Ma- ine company was interviewed this on Eleveath Page.) Officials—Traut & Hine | | CALL FOR GENERAL STRIKE IN CHICAGO Expected Between 20,000 and 25,000 Workers in Clothing Industry Will Quit Work Today. | Chicago, Sept. 28.—A strike of vir- tually all workers in the men’s cloth- ing industry in Chicago was expect-d today. Between 20,000 and 25,000 men and women will obey the order not to return to their benches in the 400 shops, union leaders said. The call for a general strike was is- sued last night after the manufactur- | ers had declined to make overtures | for peace. The only exceptions to the strike order were several independent firms and one large concern which has an agreement with the union provid- ing for arbitration. The strike was Dbegun yesterday when about 4,000 men were called out. ' OFFICER DRAWS GUN AS GROWD THREATENS Riot Narrowly Averted at Corner. of Main and Lafayette Streets. Before he could disperse an un- ruly crowd of fifteen men blocking the sidewalk at the corner of Main and | Lafayette streets shortly after & o’clock last evening, Officer William O’Mara was compelled to draw his automatic revolver and threaten to shoot the first man who attacked him. It was also necessary for him to call on Louis Steele, a passer-by, to assist him in making an arrest and Officer Michael J. Cosgrove, who rushed to Officer O’Mara’s assistance, was com- pelled to forcibly push his way through the crowd of 200 people who had gathered to watch the policeman grappling with his prisoner, Andrew Smecko, and the latter’s.two friends, Stanley Just and Antonio Podenski, who were using force in an attempt to liberate Smecko. The trio were before Judge John H. Kirkham in police court this morn- ing and Prosecuting Attorney George ‘W. Klett charged Smecko with drunk- enness and refusing to mbve when ordered to do so by a policeman. He was fined $10 and costs on each count, aggregating $20 and costs. Both Just and Podenski were charged with in- terferring with an officer and with un- lawfully assembling. They were found guilty. Each was fined $20 and costs for interferring with an officer anrd an additional fine of $5 and costs was imposed for congregating. Last evening’s trouble gave every indication of developing into a serious riot. Blocking the cross-walk at Main and Lafayette streets were abecut fifteen men. These men were accost- ing workers on their way home and Officer O’'Mara ordered them to keep off the cross-walk and to stand on the curb if they wanted to talk. On three different occasions he warned them and Smecko, who was drunk, replied: ‘“What do we care for the police? We'll kill them all.” Officer O’Mara placed him under arrest and Just immediately grabbed him Ly the arm and tried to liberate the prisoner. The officer knocked him aside and Podenski entered the fray, trying to get the prisoner free. Officer O'Mara drew his gun and threatened to shoot the first man who entered the fight, and called upon Louis Steele to help him. Steele testified in conrt and said he was punched under the eye by some- one during the melee. He ldentifded the two men arrested. Smecko admitted being drunk but denied making any trouble. Just also denied causing any trouble or inter- ferring with the police, saying he simply pleaded with the officer to liberate his friend. He declared that T'odenski took hold of the prisoner and tried to take him from the po- liceman. Podenski in turn denied everything. The personnel of the crowd which Officer O’Mara dispersed was made up of strikers, one of whom is one of the leaders of the strike at the Rus- sell & Erwin company. STOCK MARKET WILD. Scene of Edciting Trading With Spec- tacular Advances in War Shares. New York, Sept. 28.—The stock Exchange was again the scene of ex- cited trading today, with further spectacular advances in war shares and a reactionary trend in investment jssues. Dealings in the hour totalled almost 400 shares, somewhat under yesterday’s high level, but sufficient to tax the machinery of the exchange to its utmost, The ticker was seven minutes be- hind the actual business on the floor and quotations of bonds were again delayed in the efforts of the official reporters to keep pace with the high pressure of operations. Commission houses were again conspicuous in the Dbuying, indicating a continuance of the inquiry for specialties from out of town points. TWO MINERS RE ED. Lansford. Pa., Sept. 28.-—Two of the . eleven *men entombed in a cave-in in one of the mines of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation company near Coal- dale yesterday, were rescued today. They were brought to the surface in good condition. ‘The officials of the company have hopes of taking out alive some of the others still impris- oned. GREECE WILL RESIST PASSAGE OF TROOPS Serbia Assured Forelgn Forces Cannot Cross Greek Territory SAY REPORTS FROM BALKANS Rumor Confirmed That Venizelos of Greece Failed in Nego- tiations Which He Attempted to Premier Open With Rumanian Government. Berlin, Sept. 28, by Wireless to Say- ville, N. Y.-—According to the Over- seas News Agency, Greece has as- sured Serbia she will resist the pass- age of foreign troops through Greek territory. The news agency says: “Reports from the Balkans say that the Greek minister to Serbia called on the Serbian prime minister and told him that Greece had decided to offer determined resistance to the pass- age of foreign troops through Greek territory. Serbian Minister to Depart. “Budapest newspapers say that the Serbian minister at Sofia, Tcholak Antich, Bulgaria, that he would depart on leave of absence, owing to ill health. The premier told the Serbian minister that leave of absence had been grant- ed to Bulgarian consuls in Mace- donia.” The allusion to the passage of for- eign troops through Greek territory probably refers to recent reports that if Bulgaria should attack Serbia the entente allies would send troops to Greece. Rumanian Negotiations Fail. The Overseas News Agency sayvs: “The Athens correspondent of the Lokal Anzeiger reports that he is able to.confirm the rumor that Fre- mier Venizelos of Greece failed in the negotiations which he attempted rc- cently to open with the Rumuanian government. This is considered as a definite indication of Rumania’s at- titude. “The correspondent adds that pub- lic obinion in Greece is being mari- fested more strongly against a lteral interpretation of the Serbo-Gre:i compact (obligating Greece to sup- port Serbia in case of attack by an- other Balkan state). Greece has been released from this arrangement by the action of Serbia. King Consults Gounaris. “The Athens correspondent of the Vossische Zeitung says.that King Con- stantine - of Greece consulted H. Gounaris, former premier, who is an advocate of strict neutrality, before signing the mobilization order.” The Overseas News Agency says that the Greek embassy in Berlin has issued orders that all Greeks liable to military service shall call at the embassy for Instructions. Relief for Unemployed. The Association of German Trades Unions, which has several million members, publishes statistics showing that from the outbreak of war until October 31, of last year, 12,700,000 marks ($8,175,000) was paid for the relief of the unemployed. Between that time and January 1, the amount was 5,000,000 marks, to the end of April 2,750,000 marks and to the end of July 1,000,000 marks. Thus move than 21,000,000 marks has been paid out of the funds of the unions, in ad- dition to 10,000,000 marks glven to the families of soldiers. “Count Julius Andrassy, £ rmer premier of Hungary, says in the Tageblatt. that Rumania must remain neutral, and certainly will do so. If Rumania should join the entente allies and they should win, Russia wonld be master of the Balkans, which would mean that Rumanis would become a Russian dependenc; Count Andrassy says the central powers appreciate the situation in which Rumania is placed, and do not desire her assistance.” WRECK HOUSE WITH STONE BOMBARDMENT Police Think Strikers Guilty of Van- dalism at Miller Street Home Last Night, Michael Sokoloski, who is employed at the New Britain Machine company and who failed to go on a strike when his fellow workmen left the factory, came to the police station early today and reported that his home at 14 Mil- ler street had been wrecked shortly after midnight. presumably by strik= ers who were angered at his loyalty to the factory. Miller street is located in the ex- treme northwestern section of the city and is not included on the police beats so that the midnight mauraud- ers were enabled to zo about their vandalism without fear of interfer- ence, Sokoloski stated that at 12.30 o’clock he was aroused by a great com- motion outside of his house and the next instant the place was literally bombarded with rocks and stones, al- though no shots were fired. Sevewm big windows and the glass in the front door were smashed out and the entire first’ floor of Sokoloski’s home was wrecked. The police are investigating. told Premier Radoslavoff of"| | | | | .is president of the Central LANDERS NOT OUT FOR NOMINATION Ex-Mayor Not in Race for Chief Ma- gistrate, It is Said—Possibilities Are Kerwin, Alling and Halloran. Those who believed ex-Mayor George M. Landers would accept the nomination ' of the democratic party for mayor in the spring will be disan- pointed to learn that he is Zetermined not to permit the use of his name officially: This statement does not come from Mr. Landcys but its au- thenticity is vouched for by a man very close to the former mayor who keeps his finger on the political pulse all the time. Mr. Landers, this maa says, will under no circustances per- mit his name to be placed in nomin- ation. The mayorality bee -is said to be buzzing around in ‘the chapeau of Alderman M. T. Kerwin of the sixth ward. Mr. Kerwin is a staunch demo- | crat in a democratic—or ‘the demo- cratic—ward. It is said he would have the support of union men should he make a try for the nomination. Ho Labor Union and js at present spending much of his time speaking to striking workmen: Others whose names are being men- tioned as timber for the democratic party are Chairman E. B. Alling of the board of public safety and ex- Mayor ‘Joseph M. Halloran. If Mayor Quigley succeeds in je- curing a renomination the democrats do not expect to win, it is said, but they are confident of regaining the chair for the party should the G. O. P, nominate someone other than the present mayor. AMMUNITION FAGTORY AT OLD BRIDGE SHOP Capitalists Satisfied With Abandoned Plant in East Berlin. Persistent rumors are afloat to the effect that the old Berlin Iron Bridge company’s plant at East Berlin will again be put in operation. Recent events seem to justify these conten- | tions. On last Friday two automo- biles drove to the factory, a mumber of men alighted and spent their time | lcoking over the building, taking measurements for the placing oi ma- | chines and making other surveys. Their conversation seemed to cate they were pleased with conditions existing at the plant. When ques tioned by a townsman one of the | party admitted the property was being | inspected for the purpose of estal- lishing an ammunition facto: with the purpose of supplying munitions of war for the Allies. He said they considered the shop large enough for their cbject and the facilities excel- lent for immediate work in the miuni- tion line. He said in all probabilty they would have workmen in BEust Berlin within the next two weeks cleaning up the plant and makinz it ready for the installation of the machines. He refused to say whether they were connected with other munition manufacturers or were simply starting a new industry. From their conver- sation it was deduced that most of the men were New Yorkers. Two of them were recognized as res‘dents, of Bristol. The townspeople of East Rerlin are elated over the prospects ! of a renewal of activity in the mar- ufucturing business in their town. MESSAGE OF PEACE FROM CAPITOL DOME G. A. R. Veterans Send Forth Word ! of Hope to Warring European Nations, Washington, Sept. 28.—Veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic in their forty-ninth annual reunion awoke here today to see wig-wagged from the dome of the capitol a mes- sage of peace. Men who were boys fifty years ago, returning again to celebrate the close of a great civil war had climbed dur- ing the nighkt the long winding stairs that lead to the statue of Justice which crowns the capitol and flared to the warring old world a word of Lope for peace. This was the ushering in of the second day of the Grand Army as- semblage which will reach its height on Wednesday with the re-marching of the men who returned from Appo- mattox in 1865 to receive the plaudits of the nation. The survivors who made the climb at the capitol were members of the veterans' signal corps and old comrades on QGeorgetown Heights flashed back an answer. The veterans had before them a day htseeing, tours about the de- s of Washington, and expeditions historic spots, the. day to be brought to a close with an address of welcome from President Wilson in the reunion headquarters at Camp Mat- thew G. Emery. WEATHER. Hartford, Sept. Hartford and vicinit Fair, continued cool tonight and Wednesday. Frost tonight. | cessful physicians. —TWELVE FIFTY-FIVEKILLED BY TANK CAREXPLOSION Thirty-Six Wmte Men and Nine- teen Negroes Lose Lives AT ARDMORE, OKLAHOMA Property Damage Estimated at More | | Than $1,000,000 — Dynamite in Freight Store House Set Off By Gasoline Discharge, Ardmore, Okla., Sept. 28.—Officially the number of deaths resulting from vesterday’s explosion of a tank car of gasoline was given at fifty-two today. Of this number thirty-three are white and nineteen negroes, Railroad men who were in the vard at the time of the explosion say the tank car was shunted to a siding | because it was leaking, so that a pool of gasoline had formed on the ground | under it. Hurled Through Air, Ira Woods, car inspector, the rail- road men say, mounted the car, un- screwed the cap and peered in. Just then the gasoline ignited. Woods, the car and every loose piece of ma- terial within a hundred yards was hurled through the air. Dynamite in the freight store house was set off by the concussion of the gasoline explosion. The damage caused by this was greater than that caused by the fire that followed. The dynamite explosion demolished nearly a score of buildings: Near the siding on which the tank car. was placed were a number of wooden structures, part of which were occupied by ne- groes. In this section a two-story frame building collapsed. Fifteen negroes in a pool hall on the upper floor were killed. Police Maintain Order. Search of the ruined buildings pro- ceeded all night and continued this morning. A special police force of seventy-five men . maintained order throughout the night- Three More Bodics Found. Three more bodies, a man and two small children, werc found Ilater, bringing the total of fatalities up to fifty-five. Of these thirty-six are white and nineteen negroes. Most of the persons killed were crushed under falling walls, some of them .more than a block away from | the scene of the explosion. Under Military Law. Ardmore today virtually was under military law, and business was sus- pended to permit the work of rescue to proceed with greater speed. One hundred special deputies had been sworn in to prevent disorder. The down town business section pre- | sented a picture of ruin, one block »f Main street from the railroad station to the Whittington Hotel having been razed by the explosion, many build- ings on the opposite side of the street destroyed, and the plate glass fronts of nearly every store in town de- molished. City in Darkness. The greater part of the city was in darkness last night, the electric lights having been cut off, owing to the dan- ger from prostrate wires. The loss in plate glass alone has been estimated at $50,000. Property Damage $1,000,000. The property damage is estimated at more than $1,000,000. e DR. TRAVIS IN SERBIA, New Britain Woman Arrives Safely at Destination. The many friends of Dr. Catherine Travis, who was for several years a physician practicing in this city will be pleased to hear of her safe arrival in Serbia, where she is to superintend the Red Cross Children’s hospital in that war-stricken country. Dr. Travis left here about two months ago. While in this city, Dr- Travis was one of the most prominent and suc- She served as president ‘of the Society of Regular Physicians and on the Milk Station | committee. Her practice was a large and lucrative one and she sacrificed much to go to Serbia to assist the children of that desolate country. T0 WATCH RUMANIA Bulgaria Will Only Mobilize Four Divisions of Army, According to | Agreement With Germany. Paris, Sept, 28, 6:15 a. m.—The Bul- garian cabinet has agreed with Ger- many, the Rome correspondent of the Petit - Parisien says he has from a former Rumania minister, that ' Bulgaria shall mobilize only four di- visions to watch Rumania. This will | be done, it is said, to avoid action which might justify Greece in feel- ing she was called upon to intervene under the terms of her treaty of al- liance with Serbia. Meanwhile, the Petit, Parisien's cor- respondent asserts, Bulgaria proposed to have 25,000 Macedonian irregulars attack Serbia, but details of thix plan became known in Nish and prepara- | 2 bullet from his own weapon, which learned | € + working gang during [ quiet prisoner. PAGES. e e DR. DUMBA ORDERED HOME BY AUSTRIA Ambassador Notifies State Department and Asks for Safe Conduct. ‘Washington, Sept. 28—Dr. Constantin Theodor Dumba, the ambassador from Austria, telegraphed the state depart- ment today from the summer em- bassy at Lenox, Mass., that he had been ordered home by his govern- ment and asked that a safe conduct be arranged for him. In the light of advices from Amer- | ican Ambassador Penfield at Vienna that the Austrian foreign office had given informal assurances that Dr. Dumba would be recalled, as asked Ly President Wilson, the state depart ment construed Dr. Dumba's despatch of today as a notification that official action has been taken by Vienna und will arrange for his safe conduct with- out waiting for formal notice froi1 the Austrian foreign office. ‘““This action is considered by the American government as closing the incident. Dr. Dumba made himself unacceptable to this government when he attempted to transmit throuyh | James F. J. Archibald, an American | newspaper correspondent, a report to his foreign office. which disclosed his participation in plans to cripple Amer - ican munitions plants by strikes. British agents found' the proofs oun Archibald at Falmouth. The Amerf- can government canecelled. Archi- | bald’s passports and demanded the re- call of the ambassador. A propossl that Dr. Dumba quit the United Stutes on leave of absence was unsatisfactory and President Wilson insisted on his recall. In his conversation with Ambassa- dor Penfield the Austrian foremgn minister ig understood to have told Mr. Penfield that Dr. Dumba’s recall was a matter of course, final. The state department understands Dr. Dumba will sail October 5. All the papers and documents car- ried by Archibald reached the de- partment by mail from Ambassador Page in London. Acting Secretary Polk said that virtually all of import- ance had been published. Copies have been given to the department of justice to determine if there shall be any action against other individuals involved. State department officlals would not say whether there would be any steps taken in the cascs of Archibald, Capt. Von Papen, German military attache, or Consul General Von Nuber, of Austria. No difficulty is expected in getting safe conduct for Dr. Dumba the allies. ESCAPED CONVICT KILLS PRISON HEAD Oregon Prisoner Shoots H. P. Minto and Severely Wounds City Mar- shal of Jefferson. Salem, Ore., Sept. 28.—Three pos- ses were close on the trail early to- day of Otto Hooker, an escaped con- vict, who late last night shot and killed Harry P. Minto, superintendent of the Oregon State Penitentiary, and severely wounded J. J. Benson, city marshal of Jefferson. Both nmcerl' were shot while endeavoring to take Hooker into custody. Marshal Benson was, wounded by was wrested from him by Hooker. Minto, who was at Albany, was notifi- ed, and at once organized a party to search for the outlaw. Hooker was encountered two miles north of the town. Shots were éxchanged, one of which struck Minto, killing him in- gtantly, It is thought Hooker es- caped unhurt. Hooker escaped from the prison the afternoon, served a year of a sentence was considered a He had for burglary and CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY. Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Sheldon of Holyoke, wifl celebrate their | silver wedding anniversary tomorrow, Mr. Sheldon is the son of Mr, and Mrs, Charles Sheldon of this eity," who cele- Mass., tions were made by Serbia for a pos- sible attack. brated their golden wedding a hw' days ago. BOTH ALLIES AND Paris Maintains Entente F. r tured More Ground in A pagne--Berlin Claims Off BULGARIA AND GREECE ESTA NEUTRAL ZONE statem coun' been Fren day’ Orown the lo recent 100,000 Broken The Ge positions of French milif the first line held under the fire of the Gern is declared to three repeated being left German dead VThe Serbian ports two atte to cross the D tory, both of Silence G The Russians German land bal Riga by the fire cent bombardm ship was hit by a The Serbian mi ported in Bu through Berlin to of his intention to ing {ll health as i garian consuls in Maj ported on the same been withdrawn on Situation Berlin has a rep Greece to obtain an Rumania for a co failed. Greece also according to Berlin would resist the pa: troops through Greek supposedly has refer that the entente allies troops to Greece if Bul, tack Serbia, German attacks on D to be determinedly p Russians are declared t the city with equal to be holding the Te Defeating Petrograd military & gard the new allled B from § West as defeating { garding both Russia The Russians are ammunition now, official statements while the authorities tention to indications mans apparently lac carry out their sw that their efforts are modic. Establish Ne Bulgaria and G upon the establish zone between the cording to the stal news agency based to be reliable info declared to mean that lies have been frust tempt to mould the © to their liking. Sir Bdward Grey. elgn secretary, annou of commons today friends of the en! be powerfully suppo garia take an aggress) tile to the allies, 1 TFurther Gains fi Paris, Sept- 28, 1:40 p offensive movement of resulted in & further Artols region, mear & French war office anm Additional progress Champagne. The German counts Argonne Is said to The Germans left the trenches covered Text of Oc The text of the m lows: % “In the Artols vances yesterday night we gained g R (Continued on

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