The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-16
BLAMED
FOR RIOTS AT ROME
Much l. w. w. Literature Is
Found i'm Homes of
Strike Leaders,
Epectni DespatcA TO The srN.


ALBANY, July 15.-Major George F.
Chandler. superintendent of the State
Police, declared tonight that large
quantities of Bolshevik and I. W. w
literature had been found by the con-
stabulary in the homes Of the men who
led the strike riots at Rome yesterday
and this morning. and that he belle we'd
this material was largely responsible
for the disorders. Major Chandler
came to- Albany to make an official re-
port to Gov. Smith on the work of the
sixty-five State troopers. who were
rushed to Rome last night on orders
from the Governor and how they had
put an end to the rioting with no
casualties except a few broken heads.
Things were SO quiet this noon. fol-
lowing several hours of excitement
during which the troopers cleared the
streets of throngs of strikers ready for
trouble. that decided I could come
away" declared Supt. Chandler. THE
people are particularly pleased with the
manner in which the troopers handled
the situation.
I'VE raided several of the houses
where the rioters congregated and found
several bags full OF l. w. w. propa-
ganda, which we confiscated. The docu-
ments declared that the working people
OF this country had no chance to pro-
gress unless they rose against the Gov
eminent. Some of 1t was printed in Yid-
dish, some In Italian and some in Eng
lish."
Major Chandler declared that the
italian district of Rome, across the old
Erie Canal from the city itself. was the
worst Black Hand centre in the State.
ha tat trnn
rested three of the leaders for the MUIR
der of a fruit dealer, who was slain. 1t
Is alleged. because he had refused to pay
tribute to the Black Hand. and ever
since that time the troopers have been
watching the situation closely.
Because of warnings that the strikers
PLANNED to blow up the freight cars on
which the State troopers were coming
to Rome. Major Chandler had the first
of the troopers detrain at Utica and
ride into Rome over the State hlgn-
way.
The Sheriff informed Superintendent
Chandler that more than 1900 permits
to carry firearms had been issued to the
Italians who lived across the canal
bridge" Major Chandler stationed eight
men on the bridge and they stood guard
all night
ROME, n. Y. July 15.-Mounted State
troopers patrolling the streets OF this
city to-day kept the 400 men strikers
OF various metal industry plants from
renewing the riots that marked the sltua-
ton yesterday, when two prominent
manufacturers were attacked and in
jured by strikers. The troopers keep
everybody moving, and no crowds are
allowed to congregate. No one has been
seriously injured.
For a time this morning II was feared
there would be a resumption OF the riot
ing. The streets were filled with strik-
ers, most Of Them gathered in the
vicinity of the big copper mills. The
slxty-five troopers on duty here, how
ever. rode through the streets clearing
a passage and arrested between thirty
and forty OF the ringleaders. Several of
the strikers refused to move on when
ordered to do so.
II am an American citizen and pro-
pose to stand right here" said one man.
Then lie there" replied the trooper,
banging him on the head.
This man and several others were
taken to the hospital suffering from
bruised heads.
Most OF the men arrested were charged
with carrying concealed weapons
Superintendent Chandler OF the State
police, before he left for Albany, said he
had found that the Italians OF the dis
trict were in deadly fear of the Black
Hand, and that this fear was 30 pro-
nounced that on one occasion an Italian
detective on the Rome police force re-
fused to go openly and point out a Black
Hand leader. So the detective was hidden
under a robe in an automobile and
identified the man wanted by peeping
through it's folds.