Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-05
WANT WORK OR BREAD.
Great Gathering of Poles and Slavs at
Pittsburg.
They Assemble In Front OF the City
Hall and Demand Assistance-POlice
Called Out to Prevent Trouble.

I've want bread or work." was the cry
OF over 500 Poles and Slavs in front of the
city hall at Pittsburg yesterday. They de-
manded to see the burgomaster. They
were starving, they said, and wanted work
or money. 1t was the first demonstration
of the unemployed in Pittsburg, and it
created the greatest excitement
The demonstration was planned and care
fully carried out. The men who assembled
came not alone from Pittsburg, about half
coming from Braddock. Homestead and the
coke region. They had been advised through
Slavonic papers to appeal to the mayor and
he would give them work The Slavonic
lodges had held meetings and advised that,
In view of the fact that many Of their coun-
trymen were out of work, they should pub
hcly demand labor The same journals
pointed out that such course had proven
successful in other cities.
This advice proved a sufficient incentive,
and call was issued Saturday for the I'M
employed workmen to meet at city hall
and call upon the mayor. Owing to a mis-
apprehension the Slavs gathered in front Of
the post office building. Their presence
about = O'Clock excited the liveliest alarm
among the watchmen and janitors of that
building. and they hastily telephoned for
the police.
dered the 200 men to dispense. The Slavs
never understood word. but the waving
or maces and the pushing Of the officers
forced them off the broad pavement in front
OF the government building and they crowd
ed into the street. completely stopping the
traction cars on the 4th avenue and Smith
field street branches.
As they Stood in the most taciturn atti-
tude, looking sullenly at the officers, an
English-speaking member Of the Salvonic
society came up hurrtedly and told the men
that they had made a mistake in the build
ing; that the municipal hall was the place
where they should go.
In a solid body along the center Of the
street the men walked, attracting much at
tention as they did so. When they reached
the city hall they were greeted by about
800 other Slavs. who had been better in
formed as to the proper place to assemble.
The crowd then filled the street and the
vestibule of city hall.
The men were plainly clothed and sallow
visaged. They looked more sullen than
hungry; but they were all penniess. and
many had been out of work for weeks
The police tried to argue with them, but
while the uniform of the latter was respect
ed the men did not understand what was
said.
Superintendent of Police OHara arrived
at this time. and he sent at once to the
office of Max SchamberS, where an inter-
prefer was secured. The Interpreter adj
dressed the Slays in their own language
and learned that they had been advised to
appeal 10 the mayor for work. He told
them to dispense and go to their homes, for
the mayor could do nothing for them. The
Slavs would not go.
The only effect of his words was to in
crease the crowd In the vestibule of city
hail. Then Superintendent O'Hara ordered
a squad Of police to clear the streets. They
had no difficulty in doing so. for, while the
men backed across the street at first they
scattered along Smithfed street and 5th
avenue when they saw that they were not
wanted.
August Loos of 13 Webster street, one
of the men who participated in the demon
stratiOn. said: THE men who are here
came to America during the summer. They
were induced to emigrate because of false
representations on the part of steamship
companies. The present panic has affected
the peasant districts of Bohemia and Po-
land as much as this country. In every
village are hundreds of placards urging the
people to emigrate, and assuring them that
steady work and fabulous wages can be
obtained in the United States. Thus urged.
these people have come over. and they have
not been able to secure work. Winter is
coming and they are starving. They think
the mayor should secure work for them.
They are honest; they don't rob anyone but
they have a right to make their own live
lihood. If that is denied them they will
become desperate. ! have $50 When
left Bulgaria l had $50 marks in gold
can't get back. What am / to do?
Officers were on duty around city hall to
prevent any gathering that might lead to
riot.