GENERAL STRIKE BEGINS

Wairarapa Age, 18 July 1934, Page 6

GENERAL STRIKE BEGINS

OUTBREAKS OF VIOLENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO. RUMOUILS or THE REVIVAL OF THE VIGILANTES. MAYOR ISSUE® AN APPEAL TO CITIZENS. SAN FRANCISCO, July 16. The general strike -began at 8 o ’clock this morning, 75,000 men. stopping work. A mob of 1500 persons attempted to break into grocery stores. With rioting in the Elast Bay section becoming alarming, crowds of irate citizens raided and wrecked the Comunist quarters at Hayward. Los Angeles mobilised a thousand National -Guard infantry at the local armoury, and despatched troops immediately for San Francisco by train. Field artillery, a battery of militia with 7'5-millimetre guns, tanks and machine guns were despatched from Salinas.

Governor Merrian said he was debating whether to call for Federal troops. Advices from Washington stated that any such request would be wirelessed to President Roosevelt at sea for his decision.

Word from Cfe.fcland states that transportation workers were ready to walk out to-morrow. Sixty Portland (Oakland) unions are said to be ready to strike in sympathy with the maritime workers. iSeattle so far is unaffected, but it is not. indicated whether that condition will -continue long. 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 San Some Streets and Jackson Street and the Em bare ad er o. A huge warehouse has been taken over as a military supply depot in the centre of the half-mile area.

The violence was sporadic, largely hoodlumism and guerilla warfare between strikers and authorities in scattered sections. Fifteen men upped over a truck full of peaches. A restaurant operator "who kept open without a permit from the union was beaten and other restaurants were damaged by marauders.

The Mayor, Mr. Rossi, issued a stirring appeal to the citizenry to “ stand by organised Government” and promised 1 * that the rights and lives of citizens would be protected.”

There were rumours of the revival of the Vigilantes of (the ’49- gold days A statement signed ”American Citizens” was protectively delivered to newspapers, declaring “The Vigilantes are getting ready to march again.” Never before in the city’s history have there been such scenes save the earthquake of 1906.