Maine National Guard Soldiers, Le Messager, Lewiston, Maine, April 24, 1937. Courtesy of the Maine State Library.
Maine National Guard Soldiers, Le Messager, Lewiston, Maine, April 24, 1937. Courtesy of the Maine State Library.
Local authorities were stunned by the quick success of the national union, Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), in leading the Lewiston-Auburn strike. They immediately called in the State Police to assist the Auburn and Lewiston police departments. Days later, Governor Barrows called up the Maine National Guard to support the state and local police. The National Guard arrived armed with tear gas and sub-machine guns. Once the National Guard arrived no further physical disputes occurred.
The authorities said the strike was illegal and the Maine Supreme Court agreed. Months later, a hearing at the National Labor Relations Board said that the local authorities violated the Wagner Act, a New Deal law stating that workers had a right to organize and strike for better working conditions.