The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1909-08-28
PtTTS6URG IRON WORKERS FACE
TROOPERS WHO USE FIRE.
ARMS FREELY.
SHOOT TO KILL IS ORDER
HOUSES ARE WRECKED BY Of
FlCERS IN THEIR SEARCH
FOR DYNAMITE.

dragged through the streets of the
boXcar Jails of the constabulary, were
scenes witnessed in Mckees Rocks
and Schoenville. twenty-five arrests
were made. those taken being charged
with having taken part in the riots,
when six We're killed in a clash be-
tween the striking employees of the
Pressed Steel Car company and the
state troopers and deputies.
Shoot to kill, and at the first sign
OF trouble is the order that has been
given to the constabulary. special dep
uty sheriffs and police.
1t was announced that the govern
ment will heed the peonage charge
against President F. Hoffstot. and
Foreman Samuel Cohn, OF the Pressed
Steel Car company, to the extent OF
making thorough investigation
OF the allegations made by AL
bert Vamos before United States
Commissioner Lindsey. last Saturday.
Beginning at noon the great bells
of the Catholic cathedral at Mckee
Rocks tolled for two hours, when they
were ordered silenced by the state
troopers, who declared that such
demonstration only tended to in
crease the agitation of the strikers.
Everyone in the strike district is
being stopped and searched by the
police. The possession of revolver
means detention in the boxcar jails,
while those having pen knives are re-
lieved of them and escorted outside
the strike zone.
Lieutenant Smith of the state con-
stabulary was besieged by the wives
of strikers who are looking for their
missing husbands. The lieutenant had
ten hats, gathered from bloody cor
ner'' and several of the women de-
clared the hats belonged to their hus-
bands or sons.
A rigid search is being made for
dynamite, and in the quest one house
was torn apart and ripped up, totally
wrecked. rhe mirrors were smashed,
and the furnishings of the flat
demolished. No dynamite was found.
and the woman was informed that
her only recourse was to sue Allie
ghany county for damages.
Schoenville is comparatively quiet
as is also McKees Rocks. A physician
who loitered longer than the troopers
thought necessary, was dubbed by
the police.
The death list was swelled when
Mike Desoski. one Of the strikers liv
ing in Mckees Rocks, died at Mercy
Hospital from gunshot wounds. This
rings the death list up to seven.
From the Schoenville plant of the
car company three columns of smoke
ascended, attesting that the concern is
operating to some extent. All day
the striker, or strike sympathizer.
who left his door, was subjected to
instant search, and those who bore
traces OF having been dubbed, were
arrested, it being considered evidence
that they had taken part in the riots.
Several Of the big newspapers have
voiced sympathy for the strikers. and
there are many who have kindred
feeling for them. Informations have
been filed against twenty-seven pris-
oners now detained in the boXcar jails
charging them with aggravated as
sault and battery and carrying con
cealed weapons. Several scores OF
others are in custody, charged with
having participated in the fighting.
Attempts were made to prevent the
holding of mass meeting at the his
toric Indian Mound, where up to this
time, the meetings of the idle men
have been held daily. Thousands OF
strikers began their journey to the
mound, but many of them were forci-
bly, and abruptly halted and started
in an opposite direction.
The strength of the constabulary is
concentrated in the vicinity of the
Indian mound. This point, it is be
lieved, will not be the scene of any
further disorder.
McKees Rocks present a scene ana
Iogous to beleaguered city. No busi-
ness is being transacted. The quiet
ness Of the situation, however. indi-
Gates anything but spirit of peace.
The Pressed Steel Car company Of.
ficially turned over it's plant to the
county sheriff. The sheriff in turn
in turn has placed the responsibility
for the protection of life and property
in the hands of Captain Marsh of the
constabulary, who now has under him
lis deputies and troopers.
The news that additional state con-
s,abulary were on their way, seemed
to act as Quietus upon those few
strike sympathizers who gathered in
doorways during the evening and dis
cussed the situation.
In going over the riot district. dep
uty sheriffs found two .unexploded
bombs, which they declare were
thrown during the disorders.
Two state troopers are dying in a
hospital. 1t was Iirst believed their
wounds were not serious. Trooper
Williams. who was killed, Joined the
constabulary from Monterey, Cal. He
was q scout under General Lawton.