LABOUR IN MADRAS 67 the labourers purposely organised the assault and that the labourers are in possession of information regarding those who made that assault. Now it is a very serious charge to make, for, if Sir Clement Simpson has in his possession any evidence that there has been organised assault that evidence ought to have been given at the same time to the public. In the absence of such evidence coming forward, we refuse to accept such an irresponsible statement. But take for granted for a moment that the information is correct then what becomes of the reputation of the Police of Madras headed by such an energetic and competent police officer as Mr. Armitage ? Is the Police Commissioner and his entire police force so devoid of all competence that in spite of the lock-out of several days they have not been able to trace out the culprits? I have appealed to you on the very first day that if you have any knowledge or information in your possession, you should give the benefit of that knowledge or information to us. I and my friends have also made private enquiries and we do not find that there has been organised attempt of the nature that Sir C. Simpson supposes that there exists; and under the circumstances, as each day goes by, the unjustifiable and unjust action of the mill authorities becomes more grave and more serious. But I want you to recognise that the fight is not revolving merely round the number of culprits, may be one or may be more than one, but it is revolving round a great principle, viz., the rights of labourers and the power of control of capitalists. No one is so naive and simple in this city of Madras as to believe that the authorities of the Mills are so foolish and unjust as to
