The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-19
STRIKERS CLASH
WITH THE TROOPS
One Car Maker Is Probably
Fatally Injured
TEN MORE ARE INJURED
Thirteen Alleged Strike Leaders Are
Arrested at Butler Plant of the
Standard Steel Car Com
pany-Exciting Sunday.
TEN MORE ARE INJURED

bulleFf Id., July lb.-ldhlnB the StTlk-
ing employees of the Standard Steel Car
company completely by surprise, a de-
tachment of state constabulary arrived
here from Punxsutaney late this after
| noon to guard the companys property
at Lyndora. The strikers, angered by
the appearance of the troops, gathered
around the plant yard and in clash
with the mounted troopers one striker
was probably fatally shot, two members
of the crowd were wounded and over ten
injured. Thirteen alleged strike leaders
were arrested by the troopers.
According to report current here to-
night the constabulary have been expect
ed here since yesterday, despite the state
ment of the car company officials to
the effect that outside police protection
was not desired.
The entry of 800 employees of the Stand
ard Wheel company, a concern manu-
featuring press steel wheels, into the
ranks of the 250o striking men of the
Standard Steel Car company, makes the
situation at Butler ominous. The wheel
company employees refused to report for
work today.
Not Organized.
The men on strike at both plants are
unorganized The principal contention Of
the striking men is that both the COM
panies are working to their capacities
and refuse to pay wages in proportion
to the amount of work turned out.
The strike situation at the car COM
pany's plant really became seriously early
today, following the attempt of a half a
thousand strikers to tear down the COM
pany's board fence.
The strikers, it is reported had been
told that two box cars had been taken
into the plant yard loaded with strike
! breakers. The mob armed themselves
with railway ties and heavy battering
rams and tore through 50-foot section
of the fence The box cars were searched
but were found to be loaded with ma
terial The crowd then dispersed.
| At the approach of the mounted state
constabulary thousands of angered strik-
ers and their sympathizers lined the
| streets. Hoots and jeers greeted the
| troopers.
| Throws Beer Bottle.
Some one in the crowd threw a beer
bottle. 1t struck Trooper Hass. An
order from the commanding lieutenant
of the troopers quickly formed the con-
stabulary into riot formation, and with
drawn maces they charged the crowds.
| Straight into the hundreds of persons
crowding the thoroughfare rode the
troopers, beating about them with their
riot clubs. In the melee Mrs. Esth er
Paganelli was pushed through a plate
glass window of store and severely
: cut.
A member of the mob leveled re-
volver at a trooper. The trooper is
said to have knocked the gun from
the mans hand, causing it to dis
charge, the bullet passing close to the
troopers head
Slowly the troopers cleared the
streets. Marching order was again
formed, but the troopers had not rid
den 20 yards before they were rained
with bottles pieces Of board and Jumps
of coal thrown from the tops of houses
along the narrow street.
Draw and Load Guns.
The troopers were ordered to draw
and load their guns. AS the column
in the houses and alleys again surged
into the streets ahead of the troopers.
Putting their horses to a trot the con-
stabulary rode into the crowd, firing
their weapons into the ground. 1t was
during this clash that three persons
were shot. The strik ers used revolvers
freely, it Is reported. Thirteen alleged
strike leaders were placed under ar
rest by the constabulary after the clash,
and turned over to the local authori-
ties for safekeeping.
Following the arrival and housing
of the troopers at the car plant the
strikers gathered on hill west Of the
plant yard and held an impromptu
meeting. They were addressed by
Father Becavaca, of the Lyondora Cath
olic church. who advised against vIo
lence and bloodshed.
The Standard Steel Car company is
the largest car manufacturing plant
in the world in single enclosure.
When running to full capacity 10000
men are employed.