New-York tribune., 1910-08-20
WOMAN SHOT, MEN HURT
IN SUGAR STRIKE RIOT
Strike Breakers and Special Off,
GERS Use Fists and Clubs
on Mob.
MOUNTED POLICE CHARGE
Two Innocent Bystanders Among
the Many Wounded in Series
of Fights, and Police
Guard Is Increased.

one woman was shot. Il man was
badly beaten and several other men,
two of them innocent bystanders, were
so badly hurt that they needed hospital
treatm last evening after thirty
strike breakers employed in the Have
meyers & Elder sugar plant. special Off
GERS detailed to guard them and a gang
of strikers had engaged in battle royal
at South I'd and Roebling streets,
williamsburg Another woman, Mrs.
Julia Sobinsky. a strike sympathizer, is
locked up in the Bedford avenue station,
charged with throwing bottles at the
strike breakers.
The squad of officers and refinery men
we're walking past the corner of South
Cd street and briggs avenue. when
gang of about forty strikers, made up of
all nationalities. ran to the street from
doorways and stores and began to call
them names.
The special officers advised the strike
breakers to keep moving. though several
of them wanted to fight. But the
strikers followed them UP. becoming
more abusive at every step. The special
officers drew their clubs and threatened
them. That angered the crowd, and as
the strike breakers reached the corner
of Roebling street. they massed them
selves and CHARGED.
The Fight Begins.
The officers yielded their clubs right
and left. while the strike breakers
fought with their fists. Up and down
South I'd street the mob of fighting men
ran, the special officers knocking every
strikers head that came within reach.
Men and women in the neighborhood
took sides with the strikers. and in a
midst of the excitement several shots
were heard Then Mrs. Ray Gadsky.
of No 231 South I'd street fell to the
sidewalk screaming with pain. AS she
did so one of the special officers struck
Rocco Draggo. d striker. on the head
with his club. and he fell with a tract
ured skull. In his hand was revolver.
the bullet which struck the woman came
from the gun.
The riot had reached its height before
a call was sent to the police of the Bed
ford avenue police station. While the
police were on the way to the scene
Mrs. Sobinsky and others. the refinery
men say, grabbed bottles and bricks
t,yIr~
Several of the missiles struck two men
who were passing and trying to get out
of the way of the fighters
When the police reserves reached the
corner they found the mob of men and
women still fighting. They drew their
cIubs and the strikers broke and fed
First Aid 20 Injured.
Ambulance calls were sent to the East
ern District Hospital A surgeon found
that Mrs. Gadsky had a slight, but pain
full flesh wound in her right leg. She
was treated and sent home with po-
iceman. Draggo's skull needed imme-
5iate attention. and he was taken to the
,ospital. a prisoner. Several other men
,ad cut heads and hands dressed and
eft for their homes. One of the strike
breakers pointed out Mrs. Sobinsky. and |
he policemen took her to the station |
house.
4 short time after the row was over |
crowd of strikers attacked q squad of |
mounted patrolmen who were escorting |
,trikebreakers at the plaza of the WILL |
amsburg Bridge. The policemen rode |
nto the crowd, sending the men scam |
,ering in every direction. They brought |
heir clubs into play. and frequently the |
.unning men had TO stop TO pick up a /
riend laid low with a we'll directed blow |
II a policeman's billy.
Fighting was frequent during yester- |
Law. as the strikers received some money
rom the union. which. the police say, |
hey spent in getting drunk They |
aused so much trouble that one hun
lred patrolmen and twenty mounted |
nen were detailed last night to keep or
Ter in the leighborhood in which the
ugar reflneries are,