Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-07
President Gompers of A.
F. of L. on Visit to
Chicago.
U. S. TROOPS READY
federal Government Will Pro-
teCt Mint-Rumored Leaders
Will Be Arrested.

New York, March labor circles
heard a statement today that Presi-
dent Gompers of the American Fedora
tion of Labor is in Chicago for the
purpose of consulting with labor lead
ers with a view of calling d strike Of
car men in Cleveland, Pittsburg, Oma-
ha and San Francisco in sympathy
with the Philadelphia car strike. The
Philadelphia company is said to be a
large holder of securities in the trac-
ton companies of these cities.
GOMPERS DOES NOT DENY.
Chicago, March 7.-President Com
pers would neither affirm nor deny the
report that his chief r~ission here was
ia consider the question of calling out
the street car men in the four cities
mentioned when shown the dispatch
today. at is a matter | don't care to
discuss" was all the labor leader
would say.
DENIES THE REPORT.
w. D. Mahon, president of the Anal
ean1ated Association of Carmen. de-
MED this afternoon the report that a
street car strike was contemplated in
other cities.
Open Shop Concerns Running.
Philadelphia. Pa, March ALI the
large industrial plants in PHILADELPHIA
olassed as open shop" concerns were
in operation today, none being seri-
ously affected by the quitting of any
of the union men they employed. The
largest concern to shut down was the
Standard Roller Bearing company, III. :,
7t0 OF whose men are idle.
Differ as to Number.
The committee conducting the strike
is not yet able to estimate the number
on strike, but expect to give out fig
ures later in the day. Their early
guesses ranged from 100, 600 to 10000.
while the authorities did not believe
the number over 10000.
Do Not Fear Arrest.
The published statement that the
labor leaders may be arrested charged
with conspiracy is not taken seriously
by the managing committee. The
leaders, however, are taking no
chances and have secured bail which
will be entered for them if arrested.
Mob Threatens After Accident.
The only disturbance of any cOnse-
luence this morning occurred in the
southeastern part of the city where a
4-year-old Polish girl was killed by d
trolley car The child ran in front Of
the car and the motorman was unable
to stop quickly enough to avoid the
accident. crowd congregated and
1t was necessary to call the police to
protect the motorman, who was Gr-
rested.
Z. 8. Artillery Ready.
Washington, March Under arms /.
and ready to entrain at a moments !.
notice the 45th coast artillery at Fort /
Dupont. Delaware, is waiting a flash /
from the war department to hurry to .
Philadelphia to protect the United /
States mint and other government /
property during the strike riots. A .
train with full crew and locomotive /
with steam up stands ready to convey
the soldiers to the scene of the dis
orders.
No Request from City.
This preparatory action was taken
at the request of the secretary of the
treasury and so far as can be gathered
there has been no appeal from the
authorities of Philadelphia or the
state for troops. 1t is distinctly under
stood these troops, if they enter the
city. will at least in this phase of the
rioting, take no part in police work
beyond defending the mint and other
government property.
Sundays Calm Broken.
The calm of the quietest day Phila-
delphia has known since the car mems
strike began, more than two weeks
ago, was broken after an officials con-
ference last night by a series of dis
turbances in which three persons were
shot, one, girl, probably fatally, many
unruly persons were severely dubbed
by the police, and more than a score
os arrests were made
Neither Mayor Reyburn, Director Of
Public Safety Clay, nor Mr.. Brown
would breathe a word of what took
place In the officials conference. but
the Information is positive that the
have determined to arrest
and clap into jail 10 or a dozen men
who are regarded as responsible for
present conditions.