The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-05-07
Pennsy Superintendent
TeStifieS in Answer
to Statements of Ex-
Mayor Hoyer
DISPUTES MUCH
OF THE TESTIMONY
Didn't Agree With Altoona's Execu-
tive As to Manner in Which Strike
In Mountain City In 1911 Was to
Be Handled
By Associated Press.

Washington, May THE Federal
Industrial Relations Commission to-day
continued its examination of witnesses
as to labor conditions on the Pennsyl-
vania railroad when c. w. Creighton,
general superintendent of that road at
Altoona, Pa, resumed the stand. He
testified in answer to statements made
before the commission yesterday by
Samuel H. Hover, former Mayor of
Altoona, in connection with the strike
in the Pennsylvania shops there In
1911.
Hover testified that the striking
shopmen were peaceful, but that
Creighton had repeatedly urged him
to arrest strike breakers and labor or
ganizers. He declined to do so, how
ever. he said, because he had no right
to do it. Hover told of his efforts to
settle the strike, saying that he sug-
gested to Creighton that he take the
men back, but that Creighton declined
to do so because the time limit for
them to return had expired. The wit
ness said he told Creighton that un-
less he allowed the men to return to
work he (Hoyer) would lead the strike
himself. This, Hoyer said, resulted in
an order to take the men back and
that most of them returned.
Points of Testimony Disputed
Replying to the testimony given by
Hoyer, Mr.. Creighton disputed other
testimony that the Brotherhood of
Railroad Trainmen urged organization
of the Altoona shopmen.
Unfortunately, Mr.. Hoyer and
myself, although we usually agreed on
public affairs did not agree as to how
this strike should be handled. Through
out the trouble it was absolutely neces-
sary that We know in advance what
the labor leaders were going to do
about it.
"Incident to failure to get proper
protection from the city we would ap-
peal from the county and from the
county got fifty detectives. Our plants
and yards constantly were invaded.
Strikers threw missiles at our trains
and there were actual violence toward
us constantly.
The Assault on Labor Leader
Creighton, referring TO Hover's tes-
timony on an assault by Constable Lu-
ther upon Gallagher, labor organizer,
declared the attack had nothing TO do
with the strike. Luther, he said, at
tackled Gallagher because Mrs. Luther
said he had insulted her.
Did YOU know that Gallagher died
shortly after that ASSAULT" asked
Commissioner O'Conneil
~ did not.
Wnll h. Il . Il. d.,
company was not interested in that
case, why did the master mechanic of
your shop go TO the mayor to appeal
for Luther, stating that the Judge, Dis
trict Attorney and everybody and the
Mayor had been fxedl"
81 called Mr.. Redding (the master
mechanic) on the long distance tele.
phone last night said Creighton.
and he declared that he never said
anything of the kind to Hover. 1 think
the Mayor S use of the word fixed
was an unfortunate one. l don't think
he meant it just that way
Arming of Policemen
''Do you think the Mayor would ac-
euse an officer of your company that
way, if nothing of the kind happenedi
Did Mr.. Redding indicate that he
didn't appeal at all to Mayor Hoyer
in Luther's case'"
Mr.. Redding told me that the
charge was unqualifiedly false" said
Creighton.
Chairman Walsh asked CREIGHTON to
get an affidavit from Redding.
At the time of the Altoona strike.
Creighton said arms were secured from
h. ahas
who kept revolvers on hand in times of
peace.
Ordinary policemen s clubs are
turned out in our factories whenever
there is trouble, said he.
The questioning turned to conditions
in Altoona.
Altoona Dominated by Company
Altoona is dominated by the Penn.
sylvania in a certain way" said he.
because the people are all affiliated
with the company and would be with
US if left to their own devices. There
was absolutely no trouble there until
these organizers tried to stir up trouble
in order to win a strike at Pitcairn. -
p Commissioner Ashton asked Creigh.
ton about Mayor Hoyer's charge that
ne was trying to incite trouble in urg.
ing him to arrest strikers.
The Arrest of Strikers
The streets were filed with threat
ening mobs. and | thought we ought to
get action from him. said Mr.. Creigh-
ton. sit was clearly a case of his fail.
ure to appreciate the danger of an up
rising"
Mrs. J. Borden Hartman asked Mr..
Creighton if the Pennsylvania officials
tried to confer with the labor organ
izers at Altoona.
Certainly not, said Creighton.
"They were intruders who came to AL
toona to stir up trouble because of fail
ure to win a strike o> the western
division. We did not deem it our duty
to consult with men of this character.