Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-09
ON MOB
OF 1000 MEN
POINT BLANK
Five Killed in New Out
break at Standard Steel
Car Company Plant.

Hammond, Ind, Sept 9.-Five
strikers were killed and Is wounded
today in a battle between 1000
former employees of the Standard
Steel Car company and the police.
Two months ago 1000 workmeu
at the plant went on a strike for
increased wages and improved
working conditions. Five weeks
strikers and the police in which
number of persons were injured
and Governor Goodrich sent regi-
ment of the Indiana state militia to
Hammond to restore order. The
troops we're withdrawn about two
weeks ago.
Part Return to Work.
Yesterday 200 strikers returned
to work. Today while these men
were on their way to work, a crowd
of l 900 foreign born strikers gath
cred in the street several blocks
from the plant of the STANDARD
Steel Car company and threatened
them.
Twenty policemen and 20 special
guards employed by the company
were rushed to the scene and the
crowd ordered TO disperse. The
order was greeted with ieers and
shouts OF "scab."
Captain Ben Strong, in charge Of
the police, then ordered the lead
ers of the mob arrested. When the
police attempted to execute the
order, the crowd attacked the po-
lice and special guards with sticks
and stones and several of the
strikers drew reVolvers and fired
number of shots, according TO
Captain Strong.
Fire Into Crowd.
The police retaliated by firing
about rs shots into the crowd, kill
ing five and wounding Is strikers.
Later the strike leaders were taken
into custody and taken to Jail.
None of the policemen OF spe-
cial guards was wounded in the
fighting.
According to the police, the mob
Of strikers was led by Lieutenant
Thomas Skuba, 81 years old, a
Pole, who recently was discharged
from the United States army. He
wore his soldier uniform and car
ried an American flag. which he
waved during the fight Later he
was arrested.
Held Ground 10 Minutes.
The fight lasted 10 minutes, the
mob holding its ground until five OF
its members had been shot down
and Is wounded. The strikers, &C
cording to the police, threw sticks
and stones when ordered to dis
perse. Patrolman Fred Hesterman
sustained a fracture of his right
arm by being hit with a brick be-
fore any shots were fired by the
police, according to Captain Strong
The police assert that at least
half a dozen shots were fired by
the mob before they returned the
fire.
After the first few volIeys had
been fired by the police and special
guards, the crowd scattered and
ran for cover.
Look for More Trouble.
The authorities are taking pre-
cautions against a recurrence Of
the trouble when the 200 strikers
who returned to work leave the
company's plant this evening.
If there is any further outbreak
it is said the authorities will ap-
peal TO Governor Goodrich for the
return of the Indiana state troops.
Deputies Sworn In.
One hundred deputy sheriffs
were sworn in this afternoon by
Sheriff Lew Barnes to aid in polio
ing the riot district At a confer
ence of police and county officials
it was decided not to call for state
troops at present.
The strikers have called a mass
meeting at Coy's park for this aft
ernoon. Strikers have been placed
around the park as sentinels and
only those desired in the meeting
will be permitted to enter.
Seven of the riot leaders, all Of
them Hungarians, have been ar
rested and placed in Jail
Hammond physicians have dress
ed wounds of so persons. most OF
the injuries being slight. it was