’FRISCO STRIKE VOTE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 July 1934, Page 7

’FRISCO STRIKE VOTE

GENERAL WALK-OUT ORDERED

FOOD SUPPLIES STOPPED I I [PER PBESB ASSOCIATION.] SAN FRANCISCO, July 14. After an all-day session, which was marked with the bitterest controversy, San Francisco’s organised labour registered a vote which was equivalent to a decision foi’ a general strike, starting at eight o’clock on Monday morning.

Actually, each union has been instructed to act individually, but, in effect, it would be the same as if the Union had been ordered to move simultaneously. Many of the unions in fact, and notably that which is operating the privately-owned tramway system, have decided to effect a stoppage at two on Sunday morning. One by one’ . the othei* unions will join.

At the union meeting the Conservative elements urged a. postponement of the general strike, but the Radicals were in control, and they greeted the proposal with resounding jeers, and voted almost universally for the general movement, and they hurled defiance at the city’s business elements, who are adamant in their refusal to concede the longshoremen’s demands, for which they have now been striking for two months.

During the early strike discussions, the Conservative elements among the Unionists won something of a victory when they defeated Bridges, the militant leader of the longshoremen, for the vice-presidency of the general strike committee, but Bridges, who is an Australian, was elected a member of the Committee, and he gained prestige among his followers when the general walk-out movement'

was decided upon. Those unions which already had voted to strike, were instructed to walk out on Monday. Those unions which had not yet balloted were ordered to take a strike vote immediately. Like a flash, the vote fired the trans-Bay union elements. The Alameda County—this is the Oakland — Building Trades Council voted for a simultaneous strike of all of its unions. The labour leaders there announced that the Central Labour Council would meet on Monday night, and would declare a general walk out of another forty thousand men.

HIRING OF LABOUR.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 14.

The President’s Labour Board today virtually admitted its impotency to meet the crisis. Both sides have been begged, urged and pleaded with to arbitrate, but the stalemate continues.

The vastness of the strike has served to obscure the basic issue, which is that of the control of the longshoremen’s hiring halls or employing agencies. On their other differences both sides have indicated a willinngess Jo arbitrate, but on this lone issue both remain adamant. At least fifty thousand men are out on strike now, and these probably will .be increased to seventy-five thousand by to-morrow night. Perhaps the number will exceed one hundred thousand by the early part of the coming week.

FLIGHT FROM CITY.

SAN FRANCISCO. July 14.

Thousands of people, struck with panic, were fleeing from San Francisco throughout Saturday. There are scenes like as it were a beleagured city in wartime. Grocers are rationing sugar and flour. Thousands of motor cars have been stalled where they stopped alongside the kerbs, owing to lack of gasolene. Many restaurants have discontinued printing menus. Great -wholesale produce markets, both in San Francisco and in Oakland failed to open their gates. Owing to the violence of outbreaks in scores of places, farmers, who are threatened with heavy losses, ‘have begun to arm their drivers, and they are attempting to move their produce in trucks under shotgun patrols. Trucks are being halted, overturned, and set on fire with phosphorus bombs. The Oakland traffic is paralysed as sixty per cent of the labourites there have downed tools, the first thing on Saturday morning. There are threats on all sides that the city will be starved out. Governor Merriam has presented an ultimatum in respect that he would break the blockade, and that by force, if necessary. Terming the general strike the worst calamity here since the earthquake and the fire of 1906, the Mayor, Mr Angelo Rossi, has announced that he will make full use of all of the power at his command.

BLOCKADE ESTABLISHED.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 14

As the decision of the unions in favour of a general strike became known, almost unbelievable confusion and tenseness permeated the city. A general exodus of the population, which started yesterday, was intensified. Literally thousands of people, mostly women and children, are now attempting to leave the city. The peninsula highways have been jammed with automobiles. All of the railways and ferries have been crowded. Gradually, throughout the day, business, neared a standstill. The powerful Teamsters’ Union has effected an almost airtight blockage of the city. Their strategy, which is working successively, had been to throw a picket line across the peninsula from San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean, thus making an “island” of the city.

No food lorries have moved, thus forcing many of the markets, hotels and cafes to close their doors, and to post up signs: “Closed through lack of supplies!” The same difficulty has forced the closing of hundreds of the petrol stations.

AWAITING MARTIAL LAW.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 15

Throughout the day, the momentary declaration of martial law has been expected, but no order came from the Governor of the State. Highway police have been mobilised to facilitate the movement of food, but, as far as can be seen, they are not yet functioning. Two thousand of the National Guard troops maintain posts along the waterfront, but they have not moved into the central sections of the city.

The police are equipped with riot guns, and they are patrolling the in-

terior sections of San Francisco, but, apparently, they are unable to halt the violence which meets any lorry attempting to move.