The picketers were the combat troops, the foot soldiers who went daily into battle. Within days of the strike call, the Association of Waist and Dress Manufacturers of New York — formed and dominated by the largest firms — declared open war against the union. They urged small owners who had already made settlements to repudiate them. A trade agreement with the union “was not worth the paper it was written on.”

To monitor understanding in response to the questions presented, the reader should use the "Rereading and Clarification" strategy. This involves going back to the text to look for answers and to ensure comprehension, especially for any terms or phrases that may initially be confusing.

1. For the question "What is a gorilla doing in New York?", the reader should reread the passage to clarify that "gorillas" refers not to the animal but to hired thugs or enforcers used by the manufacturers to intimidate and physically assault the strikers.

2. For the question "What dangers do the strikers face?", the reader should again refer back to the text to identify the specific dangers mentioned, such as physical violence from the hired gorillas and the likelihood of being arrested by the police.

This approach will help the reader grasp the context better and understand the implications of the situation described in the text.