New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-20
Localized Gunner Unfit to Handle
the Roosevelt Strike.

Apparently the shooting down Of sixteen strlk-
ers AT Roosevelt, y. j., was unnecessary ana uh-
provoked. There had been disorder IN the
progress Of the strike and shooting by the strlN
ers the day before with blank cartridges IN an
effort TO scare negro strike-breakerS who had
been imported But yesterday there was no rot
ing. =
The strikers formally requested permission OF
the railroad authorities to inspect the incoming
train. which they suspected Of bringing more
strike-breakers. They went through 1t, found
their suspicious unconfrmed and sprang OF. NC
counts differ as 70 just what happened then out
il appears that the men shouted, and this was
taken TO be some kind Of signal. The shooting
began. and the fleeing men went down before
they could get out of range. II is significant that
several were shot in the back
This was worse than the Ludlow battle IN
the Colorado coal strike. There the miners were
armed and organized for resistance. Here the
employes Of the fertilizer plants were ready for
demonstrations against strlke-breakers out noun
inc in the course Of the strike went TO show that
they were armed or organized for resistance 10
the authorities. When fred on they attempted
no violence in return; their sole concern was 10
get away from the whstng bullets. News &C
counts of the shocking affair declare that never
theess the snpng al the fleeing strikers con-
tinued for some time.
Nothing more brutal and outrageous ever came
ont Of labor disturbance. 1t is patent that the
deputies who did the shooting lost their heads
completely. Though there is nothing to show
that property or life was endangered, they, over
come with a little brief authority, drew pistols
and shot Up the mass of strikers much as a COW
boy might shoot up herd of stampeded cattle.
For them TO have used their revolyers if at
tackled by the strikers, or in defence Of attacked
strike-breakers. or to save the property OF the
companies involved in the strike from damage IN
riots. would be justfable. Ethically, what they
did differs no jot from cold-booded murder. The
only difference between them and the murderers
of Barnet Baff is that the gunner in that case
wore no badges Of authority There should be a
prompt investigation Of this horrible affair and
speedy punishment for the guilty.
Whether these deputies were employed by the
county authorities or by the companies against
which the strike is conducted, they were lamen-
tablv unfit for their work. and human life must
paw for their unftncss. Every big strike pro-
duces the same spectacle Of hotheaded, unframed
men. miitiamen, deputy sheriffs, special
guards" vested with authority and armed,
pressed into strike duty and causing loss Of life
which might have been avoided
Specially trained and disciplined state con
sta6ulary like those Of Pennsylvania, accustomed
to such work, unquestionably would have been
able to handle this Roosevelt situation without
drawing pistol or a club. Members Of that
force have lost their lives in performance Of
their duty, but they don't fire on fleeing men or
provoke attacks by violence New Jerseys Legis-
lature last year refused TO pass bill to estab-
lish state constabulary force similar to Penn
sylvania's New York States lawmakers are Ia
consider bill for that purpose at this session.
The lesson Of Roosevelt should not be lost on
them.