Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-17
Americans Abandon Ranks
of Riotinq Steel Car Men

PITTSBURG, Pa, september 1I.-1Tedt
disorder yesterday marked the second day
of the new strike of the Pressed Steel
Car workers Street cars were blockaded
and compelled to suspend operations.
Fights occurred all over Schoenville.
An open rupture developed In the ranks
Of the strikers themselves. Two factions
now are bitterly opposed. liable to come
to battle at any time.
The Americans, tired of the anarchistic
methods of the foreigners. receded from
the second strike movement and declared
they intended returning to work. The
foreigners gathered around, hemm1ng
them In on all sides.
Loud threats were made that every man
who left Indian Mound for the purpose
of breaking the movement would have to
fight his way out. Guns were handled In
pockets and the foreigners awaited the
signal of their leaders to make the at
tack.
Americans March Under Flag.
One eool-headed American rushed to the
center of the meeting ground, uprooted a
flagpole from which the stars and stripes
waved and, calling to his comrades to
fall in line. four abreast, led the march
straight toward the horde Of foreigners.
The foreigners solidly blockaded the
way until the flag bearer pressed among
them, and then fell back, opening up an
avenue for the Americans to leave the
strike and desert their movement. No
insult was offered the flag.
Last night the situation was greatly
strained The sheriff has withdrawn the
majority of his deputies and the state
troopers were in their barracks at Green's
burg, thus leaving the town open to mob
rule and riot
Strikers Accuse Leaders.
The strikers say they were tricked by
their leaders, that they did not gain one
point by the bloody struggle of eight
weeks. C. A. Wise, who was chairman of
the executive committee which settled the
first strike. has been marked for death,
it is declared, as many workmen hold him
responsible for trickery.
The strikers loudly voice their regret
that they did not blow up the train of
dynamite which they had laid in the ma
chine shops. This explosive was removed
after the strike was ended.
THE men may go back to work tomor-
row morning. said Sheriff Gumbert last
night. Il sincerely hope they do. for If
they continue this strike there will be
one of the biggest fights ever known In
industrial history
Americans Chased Out Of Town.
The Americans. when they tried to go
out of town. Cars were surrounded and
passengers hauled out. Many were struck
with clubs. The sheriff's deputies. no
longer supported by state troopers, fear
ed to modest the strikers.
The American workmen held their
meetings at Norwood Heights. across
the valley from where the foreigners
meet. There are about 1000 in all. They
said that if the foreigners. numbering
about 1900, continue their high-handed
methods of dictation. they would arm
place.
The McKees Rocks cars were prevent
ed from crossing the bridge to Schoen-
Vile by barbados and by mobs Of for
men were badly beaten yesterday and
their comrades are smarting for revenge
IT the trouble is not settled today the
state troopers will return.
Through With Foreign Labor.
The Pressed Steel Car Company.
through employment agents. offered po-
sitions in the car works to 1000 Ameri-
cans-foreigners need not apply.
The movement on the part of the car
company presages a return to the former
method of conducting the plant, when
Americans predominated. The foreigners
now on strike, who were responsible for
all the bloodshed this summer, are the
strikebreakers who took the places of
Americans when they first went out, sew
eral years ago.
An official of the car company. In plac-
ing contract with a local employment
agent, said that SO far as the Pressed
Steel Company Is concerned. the foreign
laborers are no longer desirable.
F. N. Hofstot, president Of the COM
pany. is said to be altogether disguised
with the difficulty attending the employ
ment of foreigners, and has issued orders