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LABOUR IN MADRAS
57


57 respectively. The identity of the persons who took part in the mischief could not be made out in spite of the best effort of the jobbers and the maistries. We understand that a number of suspected persons were produced before the assaulted, but without result. The assualt took place, according to our information, at obscure places, and seems to have been the work of a few individuals. The bulk of the workmen are disgusted at such acts and several of them are actively trying to trace the culprits. Needless to say, the Labour Union takes the same view of the mischief. At al.nost every meeting, Mr. Wadia has been strongly impressing upon them that under no circumstances should force be used or the least sign of indiscipline shown, and every effort is now being made by him to find out whether any member of the Union was even remotely connected with the assault. Such acts are greater hindrances to the work of the Union than any other cause, and he will explain it in unmistakable terms to the members of the Union this afternoon. It is, however, regrettable that the mills should have been closed on that score. We believe the mill authorities are convinced that the persons who took part in the assaults cannot be any more than a very small fraction of the total number of the operatives, and because of them, is it fair to penalise the vast majority of innocent workmen ? The lock-out adds to the discontent among them, which makes it all the more difficult to keep discipline. Even for the purpose of detecting the culprits, it would have been more helpful if the mills had been kept going. There is no ground, not the least, for panic ; and we fail to understand how the mill authorities will