NAUGATUCK — Another 21
picketing United Rubber Work-
ers Union members were arrest-
ed this morning in the third day
of clashes between police and
strikers at the Maple St. gate of
the Uniroyal footwear plant.
Police first charged four of
the pickets with assault, but la-
ter dropped this to breach of
peace, the charge levied against
the other 17.
Union officials charged the in-
cident, at about 7 a. m. was del-
iberately provoked by the com-
pany, which had been taking
pictures at the scene to bolster
efforts to get a court injunction
against mass picketing.
The union leader, Raymond
Mengacci, vice president of Lo-
cal 45, said he has to appear in
court in Waterbury today at 2 p.
m. An injunction will be sought
by the Uniroyal firm at that
time.
Today’s flare-up came as 50
office and supervisory employes
showed up for the 7 a. m. shift.
Pickets ignored police warnings
to disperse and resisted efforts
of the officers to wedge into the
plant.
Riot Act Read
Capt. Joseph Summa, head of
the police detail, read the state
statutes’ riot act for the second
day. The pickets, however,
formed a tight line, refusing ad-
mittance to management per-
sonnel.
There was about 15 minutes of
pushing and shoving before po-
lice began making arrests. Most
went along with police willingly,
but three had to be carried and
one was dragged.
Police Brutality
“Police brutality” came from
a chorus of voices, predominant-
ly female.
As relative peace returned,
the supervisory and office em-
ployes went into the plant.
Among those arrested was Wil-
liam Battles, 37, 486 North Main
St., Waterbury, who lost his
shoe and some change in the in-
cident and was later taken to
Waterbury Hospital, complain-
ing of stomach pains. He told
authorities that he was struck in
the stomach.