The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-23

| thoroughly searched. The possession of
a revolver caused detention in the box
car jails, while those carrying large
sized pen knives are relieved of them,
and escorted outside the strike zone.
''Shot to KILL
Orders have been issued to the con-
stabulary. deputy sheriffs and the po-
lice to shoot at the first sign of trouble.
| The practice of the last several weeks
| of firing into the air has been abolished
and from now on "Shoot to kilr' is the
order. An investigation by the Asso-
ciated Press shows last nights battle
resulted from the fact that three new
members of the state constabulary re-
fused to obey the commands of strikers
when ordered from car
These troopers, on their way from
lGreensburg, Pa. to the plant were in
citizens clothes. For weeks the strik-
ers have been holding up street cars
and ordering the occupants out Here
tofore all have obeyed. Last night,
however, the three troopers and a dep
uty sheriff resisted the order and fought,
a battle ensued. 1t is apparent today
that all the dead. and a majority of the
injured fell in this battle. Later when
reinforcementS arrived. many more
were clubbed and shot. but the first
battle waged by only four men against
d mob, was the fatal one.
It is said the three new troopers had
not yet Joined the constabulary station
ed at the plant.
/ The force of state police located at
d. WI tllCL recently LOOh
charge of the strike situation at the
Standard Steel Car works, Butler. Pa,
has been ordered here. and is expect
ed to arrive during the day. The ques-
ton of ordering out the militia will be
decided when a conference is held by
the authorities today.
Leniency Abandoned
Leniency heretofore displayed by the
constabulary towards the strikers is
absent today Stringent measures are
heiner and the least 1Cf
committed by the strikers - met with
riot stick or the hoofs Of a police |
mans horse. Attempts were made this |
morning to prevent the holding of "A |
mass meeting at the historic Indian
mound where up to this tins the meet |
ings of the idle men have been held |
daily. Thousands of strikers began |
their journey to the mound early to- |
day, but many of them were forcibiy |
and abruptly halted and started III an |
opposite direction.
Owing to the sullen demeanor of the |
strikers the strength of tn. constabu-
the Indian mound. This point. 1t is be- |
lieved. will be the scene of any further
disorder Sheriff Gumbert is besieged |
with complaints from large disinter- |
ested corporations situated OF having
property within the strike zone.
During the rioting last night, several
street cars of the Pittsburg Railway
company were damaged, while bricks
from freight cars on a siding OF The /
Pittsburg & Lake Erie railroad were |
used as missiles by the rioters and !
scattered over a wide territory. Valu-
able property of other companies was
DESTROYED. resulting in a demand being
made of Sheriff Gumbert for more ade-
quate protection. During the night the
sheriff s~ore III so extra deputies ana |
as many more will be added before to-
night.
It's Up to the sheriff.
d. K Gardner chief olarlr e.. +Lo
Pressed Steel Car company, was seen |,
by the Associated Press at the com
pany's plant today. Mr.. Gardner said:
speaking for the general superin-
Steel Car company is taking absolute
~ no ofhc1aI cognizance of the riots of |
last night We have put the matter /
of personal and property protection di-
rectly up to the sheriff of the county
and look to him to take care of the
here. As far as the car COM
pany is concerned, we even deny Il
strike situation at the present time for
our plant is in operation today and
will continue SO during the week
An evidence of the temper of the
constabulary this morning was an as
sault on DR.. Hanover one of the he
roes in the riot last night. After la
boring for IL hours dressing the in
1Gr1es OF many victims. DR.. Hanover
was hit on the head with a mace by A
trooper, while talking to a friend on
George street this morning He was
rot seriously hurt. 1t is said the doc
tor refused to keep on the move when
ordered to do so.
Martial law practically prevails in
History of the Strike.
Pittsburg, Aug. 23.-Six weeks agoI
$500 employees of the Pressed Steel Car
mostly foreigners. walked out
or strike. The men declared they
would not return to work until a pool
ing system of wages in force al tho oar
plant at that time was abolished BY
the pooling system the men declared
the car company managed to get moro
work out of them for less money than
under a straight day wage scale.
The pooling system involved a plan
Tor paying the men as each piece of
work was completed, each man working
1n the piece receiving percentage of
he cost of the completed job.
At the inception of the strike. Presi-
lent Frank Hoffstot, OF the Pressed
Steel Car company, made the formal
statement that he would not treat with
he men in any Wav except as Indlvid-
laIs and to date has stood by his origi-
laI declaration. When the $500 en-
oloyes of the car plant walked out they
lad no organization nor were they pre-
pared to stand long strike siege How
ever they got together and appointed
committees and began the solicitation
If a strike fund from which has been
1ishursed from time to time during
heir six weeks idleness more than
&c. 900.
The striking workmen through their
attorneys have tried many unique ways
% bring about either a peaceful settle
rent of the strike by court interve n
son, arbitration or by INDUCTION. Laws
ong forgotten have been brought to the
attention of jurists, but in each in
stance the strikers have lost before the
courts. .-s.7-s.-.
The car company in explanation of it's