Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-02
STRIKE BREAKERS ARMED
Latest Phase of the Strike Issue in
Chicago

Reports from the Chicago transfers
strike received after The Star went to press
yesterday state that a number of strike
breakers We're arrested on charge of car
rying concealed weapons, and the attor-
neys for the Employers Teaming Associa-
ton called on Chief of Police O'Neill and
asked If their men had not the right to
carry weapons provided they were held In
open view. Chief of Police O'Neill replied
that there was no law against it, and ar
engagements were promptly made by the en-
ployers to place rifles on every one of
their wagons.
Over 1000 rifles, therefore, were pur-
chased yesterday, and during the latter
part of the afternoon number of wagons
went through the streets with a rifle lying
across the knees of the driver and his as
sistant.
the employers is that all yesterday, not
withstanding the utmost efforts of the po-
lice, non-union teamsters did not have the
protection that the Employers Association
regarded as adequate. During the morning
Assistant Chief Schuettler requested the
employers to refrain from making ship
ments, as he could not furnish sufficient
men to guard their wagons, because at that
time he was compelled to make large de-
tails at various railroad stations on ac-
count of the incoming of numbers of nom
union men. Assistant Chief Schuettler de-
clared later that he had sufficient men to
demanded ten men for a wagon when three
constituted sufficient protection.
The employers, on the other hand, point
to the increasing number Of assaults made
on their drivers, and asserted that while
the police were doing all that could be ex-
pected. there were not enough policemen to
deal properly with the strike, which has
spread more In area during the last three
days than 1t has in numbers.
When Mayor Dunno was informed of the
fact that rifles would be carried by nom
union men he was visibly perturbed, and he
declared that the police would not be per-
mitted to authorize the carrying of arms
by any one, whether in the employment of
the Employers Teaming Association or affil
lated with the strikers. THE chief of police
will give no authority to any one to carry
arms, the mayor said. II had not heard
OF the matter before, but the city of Chi
cago will not authorize the carrying Of
arms.
Chief O'Neill, however. declared that If
the employers armed their men the police
could not legally interfere as long as the
weapons were not concealed. There is no
law against the carrying of weapons in the
open," the chief declared IF the men
keep the weapons in full view on their
wagons or by their sides the police cannot
interfere. There is a law against shooting
within the city limits. and also a law
ening manner. and both of these laws will
be strictly enforced by the police. l dis
approve of the arming of the men engaged
in the strike, and. as far as my influence
goes, l shall discourage It,"
The city council last night passed a reso-
luton directing the chief Of police to en-
force that portion of the state statutes
which prohibits the carrying of rifles in the
streets by unauthorized persons.
President Shea of the teamsters' union
said that If the Employers Teaming Assoc
citation armed its drivers with rifles he
would do the same with union drivers. III