The Washington herald., 1908-04-17

Chester, Pa, April 16.-FoHowing a day
of rioting. in which two strike-breakers
were shot. others driven from town. and
the life Of President Riggs. of the Ches-
ter Traction Company. threatened by a
mob which gathered about his hotel,
Gov Stuart this afternoon ordered an
adequate force" of State constabulary
10 proceed at once 10 Chester.
Martial law will probably be declared
as soon as the troops arrive.
The troops come from four different
points and win rendezvous outside Of
Chester. They viii march into the city
al 8 o'clock tomorrow morning. The
orders Of Gov. Stuart 10 Superintendent
Groome were to send as many men as
he thought necessary. Superintendent
Groome communicated with the COM
manding officers Of several detaehments
scattered throughout the various coun-
ties.
one company started from Reading to-
night at s; another from Greensburg. in
the western central portion of the State.
at o'clock, and a third from Wilkes
barre. this evening. The situation is
critical. and when the troops march in. a
riot viii break loose
Hurry Call for Arms.
It was discovered to-day that there is
not a revolver or a pistol left in Chester.
and that hurry calls had been made on
Philadelphia and Wilmington for small
arms by the strikers and their sympa-
thizers.
II is also a well-authenicated fact that
hand grenades and small bombs are in
the possession of the rioters, who
threaten to use them in destroying
tracks. switches, and any ears that are
run
Dynamite has been stored in various
riding places in the countryside. One
load, stosed in a disused quarry al Sixty
fourth and Pine streets. on the outskirts
of Delaware County, went of accidental
" last night. The man guarding it got
away.
It is certain that the city police and
firemen will withdraw their protection
from the company as much as possible
when the troops arrive. The amazing sit
uation is presented in Chester Of the Off
cials of the city all tacitly in sympathy
with the strikers.
Mayor johnson scathingly condemned
the officials Of the company to-day for at
tempting to start the cars without his
permission.
The strike breakers were injured in the
fercest riot that has marked the strike
of the employees of the Chester Traction
Company.
s. W William Bergman, who acted as
motorman when car No. left the barns,
was grazed by a ball, while a bullet
lodged in the shoe Of William Griesemer,
a claim agent OF the company. who was
attacked while leading a squad of forty
strike-breakers. He was slightly wound
ed and knocked down.
J. E. Reifsnyder. another claim agent
was knocked down and had an ankle
sprained.
Shortly before noon, President Riggs oi
the company. sent thirty of the strike
breakers 10 the barns to attach the fire
hose to the steam pipes and use hot
water on the strikers if they attempted
TO damage the companSs property. The
strike-breakers are all armed but they
are under instructions not TO use theiI
weapons unless their lives are endangered
and no other defense presents itself.
Mob Threatens Riggs.
Late this afternoon, a mob of 200 gath
cred in front of the Imperial Hotel. where
President Riggs is stopping Threats tC
put a bullet through Riggs if he should
come out were shouted. Riggs was aware
of the danger which threatened him. He
said he would not attempt to leave the
hotel unless the city provided him with a
bodyguard Of police
The feeling against Riggs among the
strikers and their sympathizers is ex-
tremely bitter, owing to his position OF
nothing to arbitrate"
Riggs denounces the administration as
being in league with the strikers.