The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-07
MRS. TAFT HEARS
Of WOMAN DEATH
Listens Closely As Scenes
of Strike Disorders Arc
Being Related
POLICE MARSHAL IS
PRINCIPAL WITNESS
Defends Action of Authori-
ties of Lawrence in the
Treatment of Women
and Children

WASHINGTON, March s.--As Mrs.
William Howard Taft leaned forward
eager to ascertain what Justification
the authorities could present for their
brutality. Police Marshal John J. Sui
Ivan, of Lawrence, Mass, today ad-
mitted to the House Committee on
Rules that a woman was killed in
strike riot and that -bey-Was- bay
onetted by the soldiers.
Seated alongside Representative
Victor Berger the Socialist member
who is seeking a congressional in
Iestixation- nf- conditions at Lawrence,
Mrs. Taft exhibited intense interest in
the proceedings.
The woman was in a mob OF
strikers" said Captain sullivan, I'M
der cross examination by Representa-
tive Stanley. "A policeman was being
assaulted. After the shot was fired
the woman was found lying in the
street, and the policeman. Benert, was
injured seriously He was hurried to
. = has{,ite4 fer raatment--Th e-unuap-
was given treatment at hospital,
but she died soon.
1T was thought at first that the
policeman hid shot the woman. but
the bullet found in the wound was a
was .32-caibre.
Il think | will soon have the man
who did the shooting said sullivan.
/ He was striker"
But One Man Armed.
How many of the strikers YOU
arrested were armed" demanded
Stanley.
We found but one man who car
ried a weapon-a revolver
Was he a striker
That | cannot say, said sullivan.
He was of the mob
Why was not the injured woman
as we'll as the policeman hurried 10
a hospital" questioned Stanley.
Her condition seemed such that
! the speediest treatment was thought
| best, and she got that In a drug
store" replied Sullivan.
/ How old was this Armenian boy
who was bayonetted in the back =
asked Stanley.
! About Is years.
| Was he a striker"
! He was striker and was with
other strikers who came upon two
! militiamen on railroad trestle
| bridge. The boy tried to push one OF
| the soldiers between the cross ties,
| and the other soldier Jabbed him in
| the back with his bayonet.
| What is the condition of that boy
! now" demanded Stanley.
/ He has recovered.
What was done with that soldier
within His Rights"
| Nothing replied Sullivan. lie
was within his rights.
| so YOU think commented STAN
LEN, that the armed soldier was
| justified in bayonetting a little six
/ teen-year- boy who tried to push
another soldier off rrestle when all
I that soldier had TO do to prevent 1t
was 10 brace himself against the
pushing
! II think the soldier had right
/ to save himself from attack, replied
| Sullivan.
How many strikers were there in
| all ?" asked Stanley.
! II should say about $4,000" es-
| timated Sullivan.
| They did not travel in one body.
| There were several mobs of over L.
| 900 and many smaller mobs of 800 or
| go. The police had orders to act with
! discretion and caution because they
| we're greatly outnumbered and We
| had no desire to infiame the strik-
ers'
.'why did you think you had the
/ right TO prevent children from leaving
| Lawrence asked Stanley.
| Quotes the Law.
There is a State statute prohibit
ing children from being taken from
their parents without the latter's con-
sent" explained Sullivan. We want
ed to see written consent or hear a
parent give It orally"
| Ibid you ever read that law"
! mo
did you use your club on a
! striker = asked Stanley. tlg''
Il did. said Captain Sullivan,
! l. led M