New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-25
WESTINGHOUSE
MEN IN CLASH
Strikers Fight Guards in
Attack on East Pitts
burgh Plant.
RIOTERS LED BY
GIRL IN A MASK
Guns. Clubs and Stones Freely
Used and Hundred Of
Persons Hurt.
fBy Telegraph 10 Tie Tribune !

fBy Telegraph to TIE Tribune
Pittsburgh, April 24.-Strikers and
guards clashed at the Westinghouse
Electric and Manufacturing Company's
plant in East Pittsburgh to-night-the
first serious trouble between the oppos-
ing forces since the strike began. Hun
dreds of men were slightly Injured by
missiles.
After the battle officials OF the West
inghouse Company renewed their eff
forts to have Governor Brumbeugh call
out the national guard Militia officers
are opposed TO using the guard for fear
Of its effect on national preparedness.
After breaking up a meeting of the
shellmakers of the air brake plant, 1900
strikers of the electric plants, led by a
young girl wearing a paper mask,
charged past the guards at the Cable
Avenue bridge entrance TO the East
Pittsburgh plant and rushed a narrow
foot bridge. The guards, unable to
check the advance, fed to the guard
house and obtained riot guns. Several
shots were fired, but no one was hit.
The girl leader disappeared when the
trouble began.
Hot Water for Strikers.
Two lengths of fire hose, attached to
a hot water plug, turned against the
strikers, but the nose was cut TO pieces.
Stones were thrown and one striker
was Knocked senseless.
Numerous other clashes occurred. IN
which clubs were freely used.
The meeting of the shellmakers Of
the air brake plant at Wilmerding was
called by company officials 10 present
the company's side Of the controversy.
The doors were battered down and the
strikers took possession of the meet
ing. resolution then was passed
urging the Governor not 10 send the
militia.
j. II. Hall made a speech declaring
that the $4,000 strikers would meet any
like number Of troops sent into the dis
trict with the same kind of shot as the
soldiers brought.
Fifteen hundred employees of the
Westinghouse Machine Company joined
the strikers. Efforts are being made TO
draw out employees of the Union Switch
and Signal plant at Swissvale. The
strikers declare they have $4,000 men
out.
Men Present Demands.
Demands Of the men were presented
to-day to X. l.. Wilson. assistant gem
eral superintendent of the Westing-
house Electric and Manufacturing Com
pany's plant. The strikers ask for an
eight-hour day. reinstatement of the
men discharged within the last two
weeks. no discrimination against those
returning TO work, the continuation OF
the bonus system and the same pay for
forty-eight hours week as now re-
ceived for fifty-two hours.
A committee Of strikers called on
Robert Braun, chief Deputy Sheriff, to-
night and demanded protection from
the guards OF the Westinghouse plant
and from Pennsylvania Railroad de-
tectives. Braun assured them their
rights would be respected.
Frank Morrison, secretary OF the
American Federation of Labor. arrived
here from Washington this afternoon
and conferred with several labor lead
ers. Later he met representatives OF
the Machinists' international Union,
which has declared for an eight hour
day here, and Of the international
MoulGers' Union, whose strike for the
same concession has been in progress
for some time. Some attention will be
given 70 the Westinghouse strike, 1t IS
stated. although it was not called by
the Federation.
Won't Reduce Hours.
Seventy-six metal manufacturing
companies whose plants are IN Pitts
burgh and the surrounding boroughs
announced 10 day that after due con-
sideration' they would not reduce
working hours in their shops.
The companies. said 20 employ total
OF almost 100000 men, considered the
eight hour question at series Of meet
ings held last week. Included IN the
list are the Westinghouse Electric and
Manufacturing Company, the Union
Switch and Signal Company, the West
inghouse Machine Company and the
Westinghouse Air Brake Company.