The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-08-25
NEW YORK STIRRED UP.
workmen Smash Up Things
Generally-The Mob and the Police.

Unemployed NOrkf1en Smash tp 1nfnR1
Generally-The Mob and the Police.
New YORK, Aug. 1s.-The fermenting
unrest of the unemployed in this city
has at length burst bounds, and on the
East side yesterday there was an ex-
plosion. A riotous mob possessed itself
of property which it had no money to
hire and to which it had been forbid
den entrance by the owners
A crowd of more than 5000 men at
tackled Wallhalla hall, As, so and 80
Orchard street, because admittance
was denied them They smashed the
plate glass windows to atoms, forced
in the door, which had been turned
against them, and forcibly took posses
sion of the place. Several persons
were cut by the flying glass All sorts
of missiles were used. and finally the
police from the Eldridge station were
ordered to the scene.
The success of the spontaneous meet
ing of the unemployed and the parade
here Wednesday was the signal for a
much larger gathering yesterday. As
early as o'clock men began to assem-
bic in the vicinity of the international
Labor exchange on last Tenth street.
They were mostly Russians, and repre-
sen-ed principally the clothing trades
When 10 o'clock came the street in
front of the exchange was black with
people. The large hall down stairs
was packed. So were the stairs and
every one of the little meeting rooms
upstairs. Bartenders stood ready in
expectation of doing a rushing bust
ness, but not a single drink was bought.
Finally a voice cried that that place
was too small; that even If meeting
was intended it would be impossible to
hold one. The same voice suggested
Walhalla hall on Orchard street, and
instantly the cry was taken up; oval
halla half" Walhalla hallr' As If with
one impulse the crowd fell into line and
the march up the street to First avenue
and along to Allen street into Orchard,
where Walhalla hall stood only few
doors away.
Word of the coming OF the unem-
ployed had reached the hall, and in the
absence of Fleigman, the owner, his
son and daughter got ready to defend
then demanded through the key-hole
what was wanted. The reply came
back that they wanted to hold a meet
ing in the hall, but had no money to
pay for its use.
They were told they could not have
it. There was a crash of glass. Paw
ing stones had been seized from the
street, where they had been lying
around. The moment the first pane of
glass was smashed everyone seemed
to throw caution to the winds. Pane
after pane of the plate glass went in,
and finally the door was also forced.
The reserves about fourteen men,
started on a double-quick pace for the
scene. 1t was then that pandemonium
broke loose. The sons and daughter
of the owner of the hall insisted that
the men should be arrested. The
saw this was impossible.
He however, asked if they wanted the
hall cleared. and on getting an affirma-
tive reply. 10. proceeded to do it
The rounGsman said he would clear
the hail at any cost, and more police |
men were sent for. He changed his |
mind for the moment by leaving the |
hall and directed his men to clear the |
streets. which were getting choked up. |
The first prisoner was tailor named |
Roseman. He was pointed out as the |
were made.
The leader of the foreigners seemed |
to be W. BelkowitZ. who said he lived |
at 222 Madison street. He made a |
speech in his own tongue which stirred |
up the audience to the highest pitch |
and the hOwls and yelis could be heard /
outside in the street. He afterward |
told reporter the object of the meet
ing was to discuss some means of find
ing employment, as the families of
these men We're starving. He explained
that in his speech he told the crowd
there ought to be no discrimination
against Russians and they ought to be
1 BILE to apply for work on equal terms
with Americans or those of any other
nation.
Besides the excited men who thronged
Nalhalla hall, there were 1000 others
1t Covenant hall, SO Orchard street. A
Dy one OF the men in which he said I'M
ess the three men were liberated from
Jail the jail would be stormed
At Walhalla hall series of resolu-
ions were passed. The resolutions set
iorth that the men are peaceably dis
posed: they want and must have work,
md workmen are warned to prepare
themselves in future for a repetition
If the conduct of the police. The
.hree prisoners were later arraigned in
court Manager Fliegman refused to
make a complaint. He said the men
would boycott him if he pressed the
complaint, and he preferred the damage.
He was also afraid prosecution would
involve serious injury or death to him
elf. There was nothing to do but re-
ease the prisoners. Justice Voorhees,
denounced the man for his cowardice
when he released the men.
While this scene was being enacted
IN Essex market the police were NOV
ng with reserves and swept down on
Yalhalla and Covenant halls at the
same time.
There was another rush and the men
we're tumbled into the cutters and an
.ll-round rough and tumble fight took
place. The men struck right and left.
sometimes hitting their fellows in their
blind rage. The policemen again used
he club, scattering the men. Without
/ leader. and with policemen's billies
waving in every direction, the crowd.
when driven into the street, knew not
"hich way to turn. They were forced
WAY.
BATTLE IN THE STREETS.