ARMED CAMP

Southland Times, Issue 22378, 18 July 1934, Page 7

ARMED CAMP

SAN FRANCISCO PARALYSED BY STRIKE MILITARY PROTECTION TANKS AND FIELD GUNS (United Press Assn. —Telegraph Copyright.) San Francisco, July 16. Completely paralysing the metropolitan area with a population of more than a million and a-quarter the general strike called by the labour unions became effective at 8 a.m. to-day. Seventy-five thousand men stopped work. The theatres, amusement places and small shops were closed, while the department stores are uncertain of the length of time they will be able to remain open. The mobilization of one thousand or more soldiers at Los Angeles indicated preparations to send possibly the full strength of California’s guard into the strike-strangled city. Violence broke out here and in the trans-bay region. The police said that a mob of 1500 men stormed and looted grocery stores in Twenty-third and Mission streets. Communist Headquarters Raided. At Hayward 50 men raided the alleged Communist headquarters, dragged the furniture to a nearby lot and set it on fire. Pickets approached pedestrians and warned them not to go to work. Arising early thousands trudged miles to their offices. Most of them ignored passing automobiles, apparently fearing that even private machines would be attacked. Fifteen hundred persons attempted to break into the grocery stores, the rioting in the East Bay section becoming alarming. Los Angeles mobilized 1000 National Guard infantry at the local armoury and despatched the troops immediately to San Francisco by train. Field artillery and a battery of militia, with 75 millimetre guns, tanks and machineguns have been despatched from Salinas. The Governor of California, Mr Merriam, said he was debating whether to call for the Federal troops. Advices from Washington stated that any such request would be wirelessed to President Roosevelt at sea for his decision. Word from Oakland states that the transportation workers are ready to walk out to-morrow. Sixty Portland (Oregon) unions are said to be ready to strike in sympathy with the maritime workers. Seattle thus far is not affected, but it is not indicated whether that condition will continue long. Military Supply Depot Ninety minutes after the strike began violence broke out and the National Guard, totalling 4000 men, moved into the wholesale produce district, taking over its protection. All persons not equipped with military passes were ordered out of the district bounded by Sacramento and Sansome streets and Jackson street and the Embarcadero. A huge warehouse has been taken over as a military supply depot in the centre of the half-mile area. The violence w ; sporadic, being largely hoodlumism and guerilla warfare between the strikers and the authorities in scattered sections. Twelve men tipped over a truckful of peaches. A restaurant operator who kept open without a permit from the union was beaten and other restaurants were damaged by 'the marauders. The Mayor, Mr Angelo Rossi, issued a stirring appeal to the citizens to “stand by organized government” and promised “that the rights and lives of citizens would be protected.” There were rumours of the revival of the vigilantes of the gold days in 1849. A statement signed by American citizens was protectively delivered to the newspapers declaring that the “vigilantes were getting ready to march again.” Never before in the city’s history have there been such scenes, save during the earthquake of 1906. Grocery Steres Looted. Four thousand six hundred National Guardsmen were in the city with tanks, field pieces and machine-guns as the strike gripped the trans-bay area. Mobs looted a few grocery stores still running in the face of the food shortage and buying stampede. Strikers are reported to be picketing against supply trucks waiting for an opportunity to enter the city under National Guard or police convoys. Thousands of pedestrians thronged the streets, mostly curious bystanders. Radio telegraphers affiliated with the American Radio Telegraphers’ Association have decided to join the strike. The organization has 500 members in the Pacific area under Federal laws. No vessel carrying passengers can sail without a properly authorized radio operator. Most of them are union members. Bartenders who waited through 15 years of Prohibition for an opportunity to resume their trade were idle again to-day because their union joined the general strike movement. Communists tried to attack the Mayor as he arrived at the Hall of Justice. Shouting imprecations they rushed Mr Rossi, who was rescued by the chief of police, Mr Quinn. Six demonstrators were arrested. White House has issued a denial of the report that Mr Roosevelt would abandon his Honolulu visit and come to San Francisco to personally try to settle the strike. BAN ON FOOD EASED STRIKE COMMITTEE’S ORDERS. ESSENTIAL SERVICES CONTINUE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 10.50 p.m.) San Francisco, July 16. Apparently feeling that hunger would turn the general public against the strikers, the strike committee eased the ban on food importations and insisted that an ample supply of fresh vegetables, meat, milk and bakery products should be available; but the committee is determined that it, and not the police, will have authority to handle their movement. The committee has therefore issued the following orders: (1) A prohibition on all liquor sales. (2) Truck garden produce will be given safe conduct into the city. (3) Steps will be taken to reopen sufficient restaurants to serve the public. (4) To ensure a satisfactory meat supply to the city’s people. (5) To name a transportation committee to arrange the transfer of the necessary ingredients for the manufacture of food products and for the supply of gasoline and oil for these authorized services. (6) To authorize a continuation of essential public services, police, fire, health, water and sanitation. To-morrow the general strike will go into effect in the east bay cities of

Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda. The strike committee has also ordered the operators of the municipal, tramway system to return to work as city officials threatened to bring in strike breakers to move the cars at all costs. Martial law is only a question of hours. Late this afternoon, as the real effect of the general strike began to be felt, lines of men, women and children stood in front of 19 accredited restaurants to wait their turn to be fed. Units of the ■National Guard have been rushed to the city to ensure the protection of the metropolitan area until at present there are 7000 National Guardsmen here. From Washington the Department of Labour sent Senator Wagner to Portland to attempt to prevent a general strike there, while General Johnson has been ordered to proceed to San Francisco to survey the situation.