THE MOTOR STRIKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23107, 5 February 1937, Page 9

THE MOTOR STRIKE

SETTLEMENT EFFORTS A CONFERENCE ARRANGED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW YORK, Feb. 3. (Received Feb. 4, at 11 p.m.) A conference called to consider a settlement of the motor strike adjourned until to-morrow without reaching a decision. It is disclosed that the conference was the result of secret intervention by President Roosevelt, who is reported to have authorised Miss Frances Perkins to inform the participants that the President desired a resumption of negotiations. The situation is growing rapidly worse in Flint. Several hundred union men from other cities have arrived and the strikers remain in th-3 plants in defiance of the injunction. The authorities reported that bands of union ,men and sympathisers are riding about the city in motors, many being intoxicated, terrorising residents, and they fear that non-union men may attempt reprisals, resulting in bloodshed. Police Chief Wills, who said he was chased by 20 car loads of union men when he motored through the strike area on an inspection, hastily deputised 500 special policemen. He appealed to 3500 troops to take over the plants, but the military officers said they were awaiting further orders from Governor Murphy. • A conference of military officials and the union agreed to halt roving bands of terrorists, and the city agreed to disband the special police. Seven thousand union men are reported to be coming from Detroit for a demonstration at Flint. The troops have permitted food to enter the plants.