New-York tribune., 1909-07-19
BATTLE WITH STRIKERS
TROOPERS USE ARMS.
State C'onstabulary Fatally Wound
One Man and Injure Others.

Butler. Penn. July 1S.--Tsking the striking EN-
ployes of the Standard Steel Car Company COM
pletey by surprise, detachment Of state constab-
ulary arrived here from Punxsutawuey late this
afternoon to guard the compsnys property at Lyn-
dora.
The strikers sngered 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
wounded and ten injured
The situation at the car connpeny's plant really
became serious early TODAY, following the attempt
of half q thousand strikers to tear down the car
company's board fence The strikers. il is re-
ported had been told that two box cars had been
taken into the plant yard, loaded with strike
breakers. A rush made upon the plant gates,
but the heavy doors refused TO yield The mob
armed themselves with railway ties snd heavy
battering and tore through a 1fty-foot sec
ton Of the fence. The box cars were searched
but were found to be loaded with material The
crowd then dispersed
The approach OF the mounted state constabulary
late this afternoon became known through strike
pickets An alarm was sounded throughout the
little suburb of Lyndora where the plant Of the
Standard Steel Car Company Is located. and within
a few moments thousands Of angered strikers and
their sympathizers lined the streets. Hoots and
jeers greeted the troopers they rode UP the
main street of the company settlement The troop
ers. riding IN fours paid slight heed
Some one in the crowd the sidewalk threw
from the lieutenant commanding the troopers
quickly formed the constabulary into riot forma-
ton. and with drawn maces they charged the
crowds Straight into the hundreds OF persons
croxding the thoroughfare rode the troopers. beat
ing about them with their riot clubs In the
crowding woman was pushed through a plate
glass window OF store and severely cut
One of the mob leveIled a revolver at trooper
With a swing of his mace, the trooper is said TO
have knocked the gun from the mans hand As
+aa etr7rC he a1ID W. discharged
bullet passed close TO the troopers head Another
member Of the mob picked up the gun. but before
the trigger could he pulled IL was knocked from
his hand and the beaten to the ground
Slowly the troopers cleared the streets and alleys.
until the way apparently clear as far as the
car company's plant. Marching order was again
formed but the troopers had not ridden twenty
yards before they raned with bottles, Stag.
pieces Of board and Jumps OF coal thrown from the
tops Of houses along the narrow street.
The troopers ordered to draw and load
their guns AS the column OF forty advanced.
the crowds sheltered in the houses and alleys again
surged into the streets ahead OF the troopers
Putting their horses to trot the constabulary
rode into the crowd, firing their weapons into the
ground II was during this clash that three per-
shot. The strikers used revolvers freely.
II is reported.
Thirteen alleged strike leaders were placed under
arrest by the constabulary after the clash and
turned over 10 the local authorities for safe keep
ing
Following the arrival and housing OF the troop
at the plant, the strikers gathered on a
hill west OF the plant yard and held an impromptu
meeting They addressed by Father Beca-
vacs, Of the Iyndora Catholic church, who ad-
vised against violence and bloodshed- Addressing
Sheriff Caldwell. who stood at the edge OF the
crowd Father Becavaca said:
IF you will take these troops away Will guar
aptee there will be no further violence"
The sheriff statsd he had been requested 10 send
for the troops by the car company officials. as an
attempt would be made tomorrow to operate the
plant
Following the meeting of the strikers on the hill.
quiet restored the striking men going 70 their
homes For the night.
The state coustabulary established quarters inside
the plant. sleeping their blankets
The Standard Steel Car Company officials stated
tonight that they did not recognize the strike OF
the men in any way. We Will not arbltrate the
matter" said General Manager Altman tonight.
Those who wish return 10 work tomorrow. as
intend operations at that time
The Standard Steel Car Company is the largest
car manufacturing plant in the world in single
inclOsure. When running to full capacity ten thou
sand men are employed. The Standard Wheel Com
pany. whose five hundred men strike in SYM
sidiary OK the Standard Steel Car Company The
company Is also closed down on account of the
strike.
The men on strike at both plants are unorgan-
lied The principal contention of tine striking men
is that both the and wheel companies are work
ing their plants full capacity. but refuse pay
wages in proportion to the amount OF work turned
ont