RIOTING STRIKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23220, 18 June 1937, Page 9

RIOTING STRIKERS

EJECTED FROM HOTELS BRICKS AND STONES USED SEVERAL WINDOWS SMASHED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) KANSAS CITY, June 16. The police, using tear gas, ejected rioting strikers from five hotels after windows had been smashed during a fight between strikers and nonstrikers, in which bricks and stones were used. No one was injured. The police fired a single shot as a warhing. A BOMB EXPLODES NEW YORK, June 16. A Johnstown message states that a bomb exploded at the gate of the Bethlehem plant while pickets were assembling to resist a back-to-work march which the Mayor promised to lead after arming hundreds of vigilantes with pistols and clubs. The bomb caused no damage or injuries, but increased the tension which has enveloped the city, each faction alleging that the other was responsible. OFFICIALS APPREHENSIVE EIGHTEEN STATES INVOLVED WASHINGTON, June 16. (Received June 17, at 10 p.m.) With the strike situation involving an estimated total of 1,300,000 workers in 18 States, and violence attending walk-outs at steel plants in at least seven States, the feeling of apprehension is mounting in Government circles. Observers compare the situation with sitting on a powder keg. Senator Vandenberg, in a statement, said that the real issue in the labour conflict is that Federal and State sovereignty is being successfully challenged. Other commentators point out a variety of weaknesses in the Wagner Act, the principal one being that only labour can appeal to the courts for enforcement of its terms. This makes the position highly dangerous.

It has been intimated that the Department of Labour may call a conference of the parties in the disputes in the steel area, with the hope of at least dispelling some of the ugly mood now gripping both sides, but it is feared that little success would attend this action. Some quarters feel that only President Roosevelt could successfully settle the conflict, but he has given no indication at present of his intention*!. ~ ( SHIPYARD WORK HELD UP 1 NEW YORK, June 17. (Received June 17, at 10 p.m.) Seventeen shipyards are tied up, of which five were closed as the result of efforts of the Committee for Industrial Organisation to organise 15,000 shipyard workers. The work on 30,000,000 dollars' worth of contracts has been halted. The strikers demand the closed shop and the owners are determined not to accede. A GOVERNOR'S DEEP CONCERN COLUMBUS (Ohio), June 17. (Received June 18, at 1.30 a.m.) Governor Davey telegraphed to President Roosevelt asking the Federal Government asking the in the steel strike, in an effort to reach a settlement. He declared the matter was beyond the power of a single State to deal with it. The single issue standing in the way of a settlement is the unwillingness of companies to sign a written wage agreement, although willing to accept terms orally. They assert that a written agreement would be tantamount to recognition of the C. 1.0. and lead ultimately to the closed shop. Governor Davey concluded with a note of a deep concern over the potential danger to thousands of people from the present situation.