The sun., 1919-07-15
3 SLAIN BY MOB
IN STRIKE RIOT
Crowd Gets Control of Rome,
N. Y, After Fierce Bat
tie in Streets.
WOMEN FIGHT POLICE
Constabulary Charge Town to
End Clash Over Nom
Union Employees.
WOMEN FIGHT POLICE
Special Despdtch 10 TEE SuY.

ROME, n. Y, July IA mob of five
thousand strikers. their friends and
women folk took possession OF this
town to-day and for several hours
ruled II. AS a result three men are
dead and a score of men and women
were injured seriously. The mob was
composed principally of laborers from
the Rome Brass and Copper Company
the Rome Hollow Ware and Tube Cor
poration, the Spargo Wire Company
and the Rome Manufacturing Com
pany. Five weeks ago these laborers
went on strike for an eight hour day
and higher pay. strike-breakers were
imported.
Until to-day the strikers have been
most passive. Tonight sixty-five
State Troopers are patrolling the
streets OF this town prepared for the
next outbreak.
At daybreak this morning the strik-
ers began surrounding the affected
plants. AS usual deputy sheriffs-
about twenty-five of them-took their
posts at the gates. At s o'clock the
first day shift of strike-breakers began
coming toward the mills. They came
in squads. They were permitted TO get
within twenty yards Of the gates
when. seemingly at a given signal. the
strikers charged them
Those Of the workmen who were not
bowled over and trampled In the first
rush fed. The deputies were driven
many blocks before the strikers ceased
the chase. Practically all the deputies
lost their shields. their firearms and
most OF their clothing. few were
left unconscious in the streets
Rats Used rs Weapons.
Another and more numerous company
from one of the gates and decided to
plunge through the MOB and into the
yards. There resulted a wild battle in
which baseball bats were welded with
tremendous effect by the women who
supported the strikers Clubs. pick
handles. blackjacks. lead pipe, rocks
weapons used by the men.
The city police tried TO break through
the battlers by using the flying wedge
formation. They were absorbed by the
throng and disarned and beaten. In
fewer than five minutes the workmen
and police were swept aside and the
mob was in absolute possession of the
mill district. Every motor car and horse
drawn vehicle was stopped and searched
James A. Spargo of the Spargo Wire
Company tried to enter his plant in a
motor car. The machine was wrecked
and Mr. Spargo painfully cut. F.. ].
Devishow, head of the Rome Hollow
Wire and Tube Company. tried the same
thing and he was beaten even more Sc
riously. Charles Gilman. eupertntend-
ent OF the Rome Brass and Copper Com
pany. was dragged from his car and the
car was smashed.
Charles Beckwith. son Of the assistant
chief OF police, was beaten unconscious
and may not survive. He was taken TO
his home. Numerous officials OF tho
metal industries were compelled to hide
from the mob.
Shortly after noon the strike leaders
admitted that they no longer had con-
troll over the strikers and Mayor Midlam
telephoned Gov. Smith asking for mill
tary assistance. Gov. Smith at once Or
dered State troopers from Albany and
Oneida to hurry to Rome. The appear
ance OF the first detachment Of the troop
ers rather awed the strikers and they
began to disperse. Soon thereafter they
regained courage and small groups be-
gan to assemble.
In a thoroughly business like manner
the troopers told the groups to keep
moving. The strikers obeyed and IT Is
considered likely that they will not have
the opportunity to collect again.
The three mon killed were trampled
to death. They have not been Identified,
and It is not known whether they were
strikers.
ALBANY, July 14.-Major George
Fletcher Chandler. Superintendent of
the State Troopers. left for Rome to-
night 10 take command of the sixty-five
troopers ordered there to-day by Gov
ernor Smith. This is the first strike
duty the troopers have been called upon
to do. Major Chandler has orders TO
arrest any person found carrying fire
arms and. II necessary. place Rome un-
der martial law. II necessary the num-
ber of troopers will be Increased to 100.
Reserves will be so placed as TO be
within short train ride from Rome. Re-
ports here have It that Rome 10 quiet
tonight.
Under the protection OF sixty-nine
armed men, 500 Of the striking en-
p,oyees OF the National Conduit and
Cable Company, which Is located IN
Hastings ON Hudson. returned TO work
yesterday These men. all American
citizens. declared that they were never
in sympathy with the strike but stayed
away from work because they feared the
.090 foreigners who quit work three
weeks ago and caused the cessation OF
work at the plant They declare that
all they required was some guarantee
that they would not be killed or beaten
II they did work.