New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-20
BlOOdshed Feared To-day,
When Arms Plant Re-
opens Under Guard.
MACHINE GUN
MENACES HUNDREDS
Goodness of Officials Saves Day
Soldiers Mobilize in
Quick Time.

oierS feet lulled Hastings on HUDSON
into ftful slumber and sense Of tenn
porary security last night. day OF
disorder and threats of mob violence
ended in an enforced quiet when three
companies of militia, with fixed bay
onets, marched through the streets and
overawed the 1000 striking muntion
makers.
Just what will happen this morning,
when the National Conduit and Gable
Company is expected to reopen its she'll
making plant under guard of soldiers,
is a question. The foreign born strik-
ers, who are more familiar with the
use of firearms and the handling OF
high explosives than they are with
methods of diplomacy and law courts,
have announced their intention not to
permit the plant to reopen.
Temporarily the uniformed and i'm
pressively armed soldiers have cowed
the most militant of the strikers. But
there is no assurance that this condi-
tion will continue Il was fear that the
S2,000,00O arms plant would be wrecked
by the strikers that kept IL from re-
opening yesterday. Whether the sol
diers will continue TO prevent blood
shed with a display Of force alone is
worrying Sheriff Weisendsnger, who is
in undisputed control OF the situation
in the village this morning.
Martial Law Declared.
Martial law was declared early yes
tcrday morning. when, following the
rioting and threats of violence OF the
preceding day, the village trustees
called meeting to decide on ways and
means. Officers Of the munition plant
demanded ample protection for the fac
tories, which were being threatened
from every side. The trustees, with
but six policemen at their command
six men against 1000 enraged work
men decided that they needed outside
aid.
Sheriff Weiscndanger was called on
for assistance. He Immediately de-
clared martial law, and. under a recent
ly passed law permitting Sheriff 10
call out the militia in his own county
without consulting the Governor, called
on the companies at Yonkers. Mount
Vernon and White Plains 10 be in
readiness 10 move at once.
News of the impending invasion OF
the soldiers spread rapidly among the
strikers. who loudly announced their
intention of srming themselves with
weapons from the plants TO fight the
troops. Long before noon a body Of
strikers was thrown on the bridge
across which commuters must pass 10
reach New York bound trains. The
guard insisted that those crossing 20
reach the plant return. Exhibition OF
Communication tickets sometimes was not
enough. One man was severely beaten
because he attempted TO argue with
the strikers TO prove his right TO cross
the bridge.
Guard Marches on Rioters.
As the day advanced the men became
more and more belligerent. The guard
that had been thrown about the NUM-
ton plant weeks ago TO prevent It's de-
struction by German Sympathizers was
armed with rifles and sent out 10 meet
the more daring Of the rioters who
sought TO break into the plant.
/ During the afternoon several guards,
armed with rifles, were separated from
/ their companions and their weapons
/ taken from them by strikers. The men
/ escaped from their captOrs while they
were talking of using the rifles on their
/ former owners. The guards admitted
| themselves safer without the rifles
/ however. as they were not famil ar
with their use and feared 70 level
them in the crowds for fear OF
Strengthening innocent men and
women.
Only the GOODNESS OF officers Of the
conduit company prevented the posi-
bic killing Of hundreds Of strikers.
When the harassed guards were driven
back into the plant, they stumbled
over a mounted machine gun that had
been used in testing shells. The sight
Of the weapon furnished them with a
sudden desire TO fire on the mob.
Hundreds Saved from Death.
There was ammunition enough a,
1 hand 10 keep the weapon in action for
many hours possibly days. Had the
men succeeded in turning its stream OF
lead on the mob outside the doors OF
the plant, 10 is probable that hundreds
would have been killed. The officers
J argued with them, however. promising
that they would be rescued and rein
forced by soldiers in "a short time. Re
/ luctSntly the men, who were smarting
under the pain Of volleys of stones and
jeers. abandoned their plan.
Lawrence Oakley. an officer at the
plant, was driving TO The strike bound
structure in his machine IN the morn
ing when the men on guard az the
bridge learned Of his coming. They
gathered great pile Of rocks and an
nounced their intention OF stoninc the
man 10 death. A friendly striker &c
capped from the guard, however. ran
up the road. met the intended victim
and persuaded him 10 turn back
Although the violence continued
Sheriff Wesendangcr refused to inter
fcre with the strikers except through
argument, for fear that his handful OF
men would be wiped out and the plant
pillagcd. There also was danger in per
hitting them to get inside the build
ing, since there was no means Of know
ing what they might do with the large
quantities of high explosives STORED
there for use in shells.
Militia Assemblies Speedily.
Yesterdays call for militia aid b.
Sheriff Weisendanger offered con
vincing reply 20 those who have argued
that the militia could not hurriedly BE-
called together. Although members OF
the companies called out were in Of
fees and factories throughout Manhat-
tan and Queens. practically all Of them
were on hand at their armOries within
a few hours.
Company l., Of White Plains. and
Company n, at Mount Vernon, reported
fully armed and uniformed at their
armories by 10 o'clock in the morning
Major Ralph VI. Glover. commanding
the LIST Battalion of the 10th Regiment
sent summons 20 Company |, OF
Flushing, shortly after 8 o'clock in the
morning. Two hours later sixty OF tho