THOUSANDS IDLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 211, 6 September 1934, Page 5

THOUSANDS IDLE

AMERICAN TEXTILE STRIKES NO SERIOUS DISORDERS PASTIES’ CONFLICTING CLAIMS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received Sept. 5, 5. sp.m. WASHINGTON, Sept. 4. The general strike completed its second day with reports of its effectiveness still confusing. The union claims that about 300,000, or half the currently employed, walked out, with tlie nation-wide stoppage at least 50 per i cent effective. The employers’ group, 1 on the other hand, insist that most of ■ the mills that closed did so voluntarily, ’ and the majority of those wishing t% i remain open, arc able to operate. J The union’s greatest success appears J to be in Connecticut, where it is j claimed that there is a 98 per cent, stoppa'ge, and impartial estimates indi- s cate that 30,000 of the 34,000 opera- i fives have quit. { The strike order became effective ] throughout New’ England to-day, but f practically no disorder has been re- ( ported. 5 Meanwhile, the situation is becoming j intensified in the south. National Guard troops were ordered out on strike duty - in South Carolina, and in North Caro- | lina it is reported that 20,000 to 40,000 , joined the strike over-night, making a j total in that State of over 100,000. Forty-five mills in the single town of Gastonia were forced to close. Powerful picket lines were formed round all the mills, and many operatives attempting to work were roughly treated. From points in Alabama, Georgia and Texas come reports of rioting between strikers and non-strikers, but there have been no serious injuries. Increasing scenes of violence marked the walk-out. Tension grew in many sections as flying squadrons of pickets made spectacular dashes in an effort to I close mills still operating. The Associated Press tabulation placed the num- ’ bor on strike al 199,200 out of 653,200 ■ normally employed in the three main section of the industry, cotton, silk 1 and wool. George A. Sloan, president of the Cotton Textile Institute, and Peter Vonhorn, chairman of the bulk Code Authority, said that the response stamped the walk-out as a failure. The strike was effective in the South, with New England less affected.