STRIKERS AND A MILLIONAIRE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 115, 20 June 1914, Page 5

STRIKERS AND A MILLIONAIRE.

MOURNERS DOG ROCKEFELLER, Sympathisers with the victims of Mr John D. Rockefeller's Colorado mine war have adopted the «' silent mourning ' ' plan of demonstration inaugurated two days ago (writes the American correspondent of the "Express," under date May 5) by Mr Upton Sinclair, the Socialist novelist. Groups of "mourners" with crape bands on their arms walked up and down all day before Mr Rockefeller's offices, and although a crowd of 2000 people gathered along Broadway the police took no action. An elaboration of the mourning parade was introduced last night by five strike sympathisers, who walked up and down silently in front of Mr John D. Rockefeller, jun.'s, residence, with broad bands across their bosoms, on which was printed "Thou shalt not kill." Mrs Rockefeller, jun., and her two children were inside. Mrs Rockefeller telephoned for the police, who arrested two of the silent demonstrators, but they were discharged by the Magistrate. Mr Eockefeller, jun., declined to go to his city house last night, but took refuge at his father's country estate at Tarrytown, where he was joined by his wife and children to-day. The estate is heavily guarded, and his secretary announces that Mr Rockefeller is so worried by the silent demonstrators that he has broken down physically and nervously, and will not be - able to appear at his office until next week. Following Him With a Hearse. His tormentors are credited with the* intention of following him wherever he goes in New York with a hearse, which will drive slowly up and down in front of his office when he is there, and keep moving in front of his house when he is a£ home. An immense crowd of demonstrators assembled in Union Square this afternoon with banners inscribed, "Rockefeller, the multi-murderer," and others containing a skull and crossbones in a frame of dollar-marks. A large body

of police was present to prevent disturbances. -

Mr Upton Sinclair, the inventor of the silent protest, yrho wafl[ sentenced to. three days' imprisonment, received.the reporters in his cell in the Tombs Prison this morning, and told them that he was standing the hunger strike well. He explained that although his strike began only yesterday, he had really been starving almost the entire week, his only meals being dinner on Monday night and a dish of ice cream on Tuesday. "I have been thinking of this thing," he said, "and when I have any sort of terrible work to do food is revolting to me." Later in the day Mr Sinclair made a formal application for leave to appeal against his sentence. His application was granted by Judge Mulqueen, "W"* l0 * however, refused to grant bail or to parole Mr Sinclair. /When this news reached him, Mr Sinclair abandoned his hunger strike and paid 8/- fine, having worked off 4/- by his day in gaol. He left the prison, declaring that the fine was paid under protest, and on the advice of -his who believed his health would be endangered if he were fpreibly fed.