The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-06
ALMOST A BATTLE.
Industrial Army at Oakland.
California,
Makes a Most Threatening and
PortentOus Display.
HUNDREDS ARE ARMED
A Large Force of Deputies Pro-
vided With Guns,
Sworn In to Eject the Men
by Force.
The Army Compelled to Leave
the City.
HUNDREDS ARE ARMED

OAKLAND, Cal, April 6.-The city of
Oakland has had many exciting events
in its history, but never has anything oc-
CURED here to compare with the turmoil
caused early this morning by a regiment
of unemployed men, which left San
Francisco Wednesday to join Coxey's
army in its march to Washington.
All night long every man, woman and
child in Oakland was on the streets, the
riot alarm was sounded, the governor was
asked TO call out the national guard; ex-
ira police aud deputy sheriff5 were sworn
in and armed with rifles and preparations
made for lighting of the bloodIest kind,
because six hundred and forty unem-
ployed desperate men refused TO leave
the city
Only a rash word or an unlucky shot
was required to precipitate a conflict
which would have resulted in the ex-
tinction of this branch of the industrial
army, for the men composing 1t were
mostly unarmed, and could have made
but feeble resistance to the officers and
citizens. But the word was not uttered;
nor the shot fired. for the army, over
awed by force. consented to move on
when it was seen that further resistance
to the will of the citizens of Oakland
was useless.
On Wednesday last under the leader
ship of a man named Kelley. about 600
unemployed men applied TO Mayor FL
lert of San Francisco for assistance in
getting across the bay to Oakland. where
they expected to- secure transportation
on freight trains to the east The mayor
contributed $25 and the regiment was
sent over to Oakland
Hot Words BY Two Mayors.
Mayor Pardee OF this city, resented
what he called the foisting of San Fran
cisco's unemployed upon Oakland and "A
tart correspondence has ensued between
the mayors of the two cities. Upon ar
rival at Oakland the army found that
the Southern Pacific railroad would not
allow them to ride on its freight trains,
SO they camped in the Mills tabernacle
and waited. The people of Oakland fed
them and they were in no hurry to move.
Finally the citizens raised 5000 to pay
the fare of the industrials to Sacramen-
to, and arrangements were made to have
them start at o'clock last night. The
army marched on to the 10Th street sta
ton TO take the train and the people of
Oakland heaved sigh OF relief at get
ting rid of them so easily When, how
ever, the army found that It was to be
and refused TO leave unless passenger
coaches were provided So the army
marched back to the tabernacle.
Chief of Police Schaffer tried to make
peace by asking the railroad company to
supply passenger coaches Division Su-
perintendent Wilder refused the request,
saying the railroad company could not
furnish the coaches for the $500 that had
been subscribed
All negotiations were declared off and
then it decided to take action
against the army. The officers received
Information that among the leaders from
the army was man who had been inter-
ested in the Haymarket riots in CHICAGO
This information was somewhat alarm
ing to the officers and it was decided 10
a . not and
shed if possible.
Mayor Pardee hurriedly called a meet
ing of the town council and plan of
campaign was decided.
Must be Driven Out by Force.
At IL o'clock Mayor Pardee issued pos
that the industrial army must be driven
out of the city by force. The orders were
of such a character that the chief felt
they must be carried out He made
secret investigation and learned that the
army consisted Of about $40 men, who
were camping in the tabernacle.
Chief Schafier then issued general
order to all the members of the police
force to report iii uniform at once to the
city. In response to this order some 25
police officers appeared at the CITY hall.
The chief came to the conclusion that
this number was not sufficient to battle
with and he did not propose to take
chances.
ne Wdnteu a Iu4l IOFce before he at
tempted the raid A repGrt was made
TO Mayor Pardee of the condition of
affairs and he at once telegraphed to the
governor to have the militia called out
The telegram was sent to Sacramento.
and in case the governor could not be
found an appeal was to be made to Ad-
lutant General Allen.
Chief Schaffer then sent for Sheriff
MchIlllcan. and consultation was had
OF the city hall The sheriff agreed to
swear IN ali necessary deputies in order
10 keep the peace In the meantime
Major Frank O'Brien, commanding the
nrst battalion of the Fifth regiment. in
Guiding companies A f. and G. was sum
moned to the city han.
Preparing for Action.
He was notified by the police to pre-
pare Tor action AS telegram had been
sent to the governor asking for assist
ance Major O'Brien at once repaired
to the armory on Twelfth street
ana his officers were summoned for
duty. de notified the police that he
would be IN readiness to report for duty
with two companies the moment he re-
esived word from the governor or adju-