The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-04
Business Men Feel That Militia
Must Be Called Out TO
Restore Order
MANY INNOCENT PERSONS
ARE WANTONLY ASSAULTED
Mayor Dunno Is Opposed to Asking
for State Troops and viii Do
So Only as a Last
Resort.

Chicago, May 3.-Rioting in the streets
today was so prolonged and of so fierce
character that many of the leading bus
mess men have concluded that there will
be neither peace in the city or safety
for its business until the state militia has
been called out to restore order.
A committee of the members of the en-
ployers association left for Springfield to-
day to confer with Governor Deneen and
request him to give orders to the state
troops. T&f labor unions have representa-
tives at the state capitol and 1t is likely
tnat they will also be heard before any
action is taken by the governor. Chief of
Police ONeill says he is confident that
he has control of the situation and can
keep peace in the city. Mayor Dunno sup
ports him in this view and has declared
that in his opinion the emergency has
not arisen requiring the presence of
troops
On the other hand the bus''ess men
point to the long list of. I'M ! which
marked the rioting of yesterday and the
greater number of those who were hurt
today, and declare that this alone is
sufficient proof that the police, unaided
the situation.
Have Dispersed Every Mob.
No complaint is made against the po-
ice department for the officers have dis
persed every mob with which they have
come in contact and have guarded wagons
night and day with the greatest vigilance.
But despite their utmost efforts the fight
ing continues in the streets and is, If
possible, more vicious on each succeed
ing day.
While the police have been able to dis
perse mobs and guard wagons, they have
not been able to prevent the many attacks
that are made on non-union men in the
business portion of the city alone. The sit
uation, the business men claim, will be
ten-fold worse wnen express wagons and
retail delivery wagons are sent to remote
parts of the city.
Mayor Dunno was emphatic in his dec
laration tonight that he will not acquiesce
in any call for outside assistance in pre-
serving order and intimated that he will
strongly oppose any attempt to secure
armed protection. He takes the position
that Chicago must first exhaust every
possible resource before it can stand be-
fore the world and admit that peace
and order cannot be preserved in the
city's streets.
Despite the orders of Mayor Dunno
an the prohibition of the city council,
many of the wagons of the concerns
against which strikes have been declared.
were handled today by men armed with
rifles and shotguns.
First Rifle Shot Fired.
The first rife shot fired during the strike
went .whizzing through crowded thor
ouehfare today. The shot was fired by
guard on a wagon of the United States
Express company while 1t was passing
through a crowd of strike sympathizers at
the intersection of state and Randolph
streets In driving past the corner the
driver of the wagon reined his horses up
suddenly. guard in the wagon poked his
head instantly from the wagon and seeing
a street car conductor stopping as though
TO throw a missile, pulled the rifle trigger
without the slightest hesitation. No per-
son was hit and 1t developed later that the
conductor who narrowly escaped death
was intent solely on his legitimate work
of throwing a switch. The request of the
Employers association made today that
the police be allowed to ride on their
wagons was declined by the chief of po-
lice
Chief O'Neil explained that while the Of
ficers might do just as good work while
riding on the wagons he did not intend
TO have it said that the department was
showing partiality or guarding private
property especially.
Every Wagon Carries Guard.
One hundred and fifty wagons of the
seven express companies went to and fro
across the city today, in many instances
unaccompanied by blue coats. Every
wagon carried guard some of whom
were armed with Winchester rifles and
others carried heavy double -barreled shot
guns The guns were in plain evidence
throughout the day, and no attempt was
made to interfere with any of the express
wagons.
The trucks of the Scott Transfer COM
many were also guarded in the same man
ner. The company transacted its business
as though there had been no strike
against It, Mr.. Scott tonight was eated
over the success of the day. II have 2S0
teams" he said. 'and the majority of
them were on the streets today. / armed
the men who handled them. My wagons
were not molested and If they are l pro-
nose to place more armed guards upon
them
Both sides made gains today, and the
res11lt leaves them about as evenly bal
anced as they were before The accession
~ the ranks of the teamsters was made
when a strike was declared against the
coal firm of Creerar, Clnch & Co. This
concern employees several hundred men
y and delivers coal to large number of
! the most prominent office buildings in the
city.
The gain of the Employers association
was made when the members of the Hay
and Grain Dealers association. which en-
nlovs 12s teams, declared that deliveries
would be made to any part of the city
irrespective of strike conditions II driv-
ers refuse to obey they Will be dis
charged.
Mobs Larger and UgIier.
The mobs that filled the streets in the
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ff.o ,finrred IN Second Paoel