New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-07
CALLS PENN. STATE
POLICE "COSSACKS"
Head of Labor Federation
Declares They Create
Reigns of Terror.
URGES LABOR MEN
TO ARM THEMSELVES
Constabulary Caused Bloodshed
at Bethlehem, Says
J. II. Maurer.

Washington, May 6.-Charges that
the Pennsylvania State Constabulary IS
used TO break strikes ana create reigns
of terror in times Of industrial dis
putes were made to the United States
Commission on Industrial Relations to-
day by James H. Maurer, president OF
the Pennsylvania State Federation Of
Labor, and member of the state Legs
lature.
81 have on a previous occasion urged
that trade union men learn now 70
shoot and to protect Themselves ne
told the commission, "and next week, at
the convention Of the state Federation
of Labor, | am again going 20 advocate
that union men learn the military arts,
in order to protect themselves against
these agents Of the commonwealth who
are used against them. We are tired
Of having our defenceless people shot
down and beaten BY these officers OF
the state, and if it is going to continue
it is necessary that labor men be pre-
pared TO protect themselves"
Maurer submitted TO the commission
a pamphlet he had prepared on the
Pennsylvania State police, which he en-
titled "The American Cossack." The
police were recruited, he declared,
from United States soldiers and de-
generate sons Of the middle class who
never were worth anything at home"
At the Hazleton trolley strike, he de-
clared, the state police were sent IN
without uniform 70 rail at strikebreak-
ers in order 10 encourage violence, and
in one instance state police officers act
e, - yah 10 ush n
had been arrested. Investigation was
ordered by Governor Tener, he added,
and a report made, but no action was
taken except to discharge one trooper
who had been proved guilty Of drunk
enness.
"At the recent Bethlehem steel
strike" said Maurer, there was
absolutely no need Of the constabulary.
The Governor and President Wilson
had been appealed to, but the govern
ment could do nothing. But when
S.hwab called for the constabulary the
government had power to help break
the strike. There had been absolutely
no trouble until the state police
reached Bethlehem. Then, within an
hour after their arrival, there was
bloodshed."
Further inquiry into the constabu-
larry will be made by the commission
later. officials of the police force
already have been summoned to testify.
Inquiry into Pennsylvania Railroad
labor conditions continued to-day,
among the witnesses being Samuel II.
Hoyer, form err Mayor Oh Altoona, Pa,
VIII told of the strike in the Pennsyl-
vania shops there in 1911. The strik-
ing shopmen were peaceful, Hoyer said,
but G.. W. Creighton, general superin-
tendent f the Pennsylvania Railroad
at Altoona, constantly urged him to
arrest strikers and labor organizers
VIII IN he lad no right to do so.
Regard lg the charge made by the
Order of Railroad Telegraphers that
the Pennsylvania Railroad dominated
the city of Altoona. Mr.. Hoyer said he
did rot believe such a general charge
could be supported.
Early in the day W. H. Pierce, of the
Brotherhood of Federated Labor En-
ployes, charged that W. G. Lee, presi-
dent of the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen, was, traitor to his fell
lows" the Altoona strike, in that ne
deserted the shopmen after promising
them support. Lee will be asked TO
reply to the charges.