New-York tribune., 1912-03-06
MRS. TAFT HEARS TALES /
Of LAWRENCE RIOTS.
Clubbing Of Women, failing of
Children and Other Abuses
in Strike Described.
POLICE HEAD HARD PRESSED
Unable to Tell Congress Commit
tee by What Law Deporta'
tion of Young Was
Prevented.
From rhe Tribun. 1ureau.l


Washington. March 5.--Whle Mrs. TAFT
leaned forward in her chair, deeply in
terested listener. the Rules Committee OF
the House to-day again heard stories or
the pitiable conditions in the strike-ridden
city of Lawrence. Mass. For more than
two hours the wife of the President
listened to the strikers and their friends
who told Of the clubbing of women, of
babes torn from their mothers breasts. OF
children thrown into jail, and of the alleged
"oloody work" OF the Lawrence police.
The hearing to-day lacked none OF the
dramatic interest that has marked former
sessions of the Rules Committee, which is
10 determine whether the federal govern
ment should investigate conditions in the
mill city. Two witnesses. in particular
made charges OF cruelty against the polce
and militia which shocked the members OF
the committee and taxed their credulity
These were John Knebel, OF Philadelphia
and Miss Margaret Sanger, OF New YORK
a labor sympathizer who sought 10 aid the
children OF the strike" who were later
prevented by the police from leaving Law
renee in order that they might be cared for
elsewhere.
Late to-day the committee began TO hear
the "other side" when c. F. Lynch. COM
missioner Of Public Safety. OF Lawrence
took the stand and began testimony seek
ing 10 Justify the course OF the authorities.
He asserted that the testimony previously
given and the published accounts OF the
strike conditions had been exaggerated"
The witness, who has control OF the police
Of that city. became rather Disconnected
however, when members of the Rules Com
rnittee demanded TO know by what law
parents had been prevented from sending
their children TO Philadelphia and other
cities where they might be cared for
Hard Pressed by Committee.
Did you know whether or not these
children had their parents consent to go2''
asked Representative Stanley.
'I did not know. but Captain Sullivan
said they had not" replied the witness.
'Was It not strange. IL these children
had no consent, that their parents came
10 tho depot 10 see them of on February
2i?"
L didn't know the law exactly said
Lynch. but ! understood they had not
the certificates necessary"
The most dramatic story OF the day was
told by Miss Sanger trained nurse OF
New York, VINO accompanied ll9 children
10 New York before the more recent inter-
ference of the police with further deports-
tions.
There were ll9 OF these children who
went 10 New York for care" she said. "Of
the number only four wore underclothlng.
Nearly all OF them were in rags. their out
49,,
Several were sick. all were emaciated and
showed the effects OF malnutrition. I
learned that they were accustomed TO
have meat only once week, and II would
have made you cry TO see them grab meat
with their fingers when We fed them in
New York"
do you mean 10 say" asked Represent
atlye Stanley. that these children worked
in d woollen mill and yet wore no wool
elothing?'
NO child had A piece OF wool on its
back. Only four had any underclothing at
at all" repeated Miss Sanger And 1t
was bitter, bitter cold that day
John Knebel, a labor leader, OF Philadel-
phia, gave an irnpassioned narration Of his
experiences when he went 10 Lawrence 10
accompany the children 10 Philadelphia.
He was thrown into JAIL he said. and there
saw mothers and infants AZ the breast
huddled IN adjoining cells. one woman in
delicate condition. he said had been
kicked by policeman.
System Praotised Abroad.
Representative Hafdwick questioned Kne-
bel further about the motive Of removing
the Lawrence children. He called attention
10 the fact that the system had been used
in Italy. Belgium and France.
"That makes no difference here" said
Knebel Though this is the first time in
the history Of this country that II was
used, the conditions at Lawrence Justified
It."
In the police station where he vas locked
up, Knebel said that all day the children
were not given anything 20 eat. fifteen or
eighteen OF them.
"Wer. the children actually locked up in
the same kind Of cells where thieves and
criminals were locked up?' asked Repre- |
sentative Pou.
They were in the same kind Of cells"
said Knebel.
Were others fined besides you?"
Eyes. every one Of the mothers vat fined, |
ana II INdut 40 ui!it- Sl!Np "Aab L5!S lc9ti-
mony. was They took the policeman's word
for H."
The child strikers who were brought on
before the committee to testify in its hear
ings on the two Congress resolutions Of
investigation Of conditions at Lawrence |
ended their testimony to-day, and members
Of the citizens committee OF Lawrence were |
heard.
Max Bogatin. Of Philadelphia, a witness
Yesterday, recalled to-day. said he had |
seen babies. little boys and girls in cells |
locked up.
George E. Roewer, jr, Boston attor-
ney, appearing for the strike committee, |
asserted he had difficulty in getting court |
officials to show 10 him complaints |
against the children.
Josephine Liss, striker. testified that |
when she went out for walk q soldier |
stopped her with a bayonet and swore at |
her. Then she struck him with her muf |
and was arrested for assault. locked up |
and fined SO. On another occasion. she
testified, she had seen a woman struck |
on the head by a policeman with club |
and had seen men beaten until their heads |
we're covered with blood.
The hearing will be continued to-ror-
row. Representative Berger reserved the
right 10 call other strikers.
Senator Poindexter unsuccessfully sought |
consideration of his resolution 10 investi-
gate the Lawrence strike to-day. Senator |