The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-04-07
hOLD,RICE
FOR LABOR
UNION WAR
j Painters Business Agent
Held for Riot; May
Be Ousted.

John P Rice, business agent for
the painters union, was placed un-
der arrest by Police Chief Tom Cox
shortly after II o'clock this noon
ON a charge of rioting. in connec-
fion with the assaults upon nom
union men Wednesday morning.
Mr.. Rice was taken before Mag
istrate D. ]. Cleland and furnished
. 5000 bond. He asked for a con-
tinuance and the case is set for
trial on April l6 at 2 o'clock ip the
afternoon.
The police say that he was impli-
Gated in the slugging and ihtimida-
tons, and that the four men who
we're with him are known and will
Be in custody by night. Mr.. Rice
told The Argus that he knew moth
ing about it" and had nothing to
do with yesterdays fracas."
Mr.. Rice is business agent for the
painters' unions No. CTS and 5S1 Of
Davenport, No. 80. Rock Island ar
senal, No. 152, Rock Island. and
No. 5o2 Of Rock Island and Moline,
representing $50 men.
President Scores Action.
Robert Holdorf, president of the
painters district council, denounc-
I'd yesterdays event and said that
Il II can be learned that union men
are responsible they will be ousted.
"The painters union or organiz-
ed labor as a whole does not sane
ton such acts, and if we can show
that union men are responsible for
this case there will be immediate
action taken" Mr.. Holdorf said. y
The painters union is conduct
Ing its affairs fair and square and
\ ve do not intend to have any of
4 our members stage acts such as oc-
eurred Wednesday. At present we
have no evidence at all in the case,
but We can be depended upon to 20
to the bottom Of this thing. II they
afe from within our ranks, we are
going to know IT,"
Gang Made Three Calls.
1t was learned this morning that
the sluggers made one call We'd
nesday morning before the trip to
the south part Of the city, where .
scaf0lding was overturned and
later to the west end OF the city
where a man was beaten up in his
home.
The gang first called at the John
son hotel. 1706k Third avenue
Three men stood at the bottom OF
ne steps and one man entered the
onice Of Martin Johnson, proprie-
tor Of the hotel. He asked Mr..
Johnson if a man was employed in
hanging paper in the hotel. Mr.
Johnson replied that he had man
employed, but he was not in the
hotel at the time.
The paper hanger was in the no.
tel, but the proprietor explained
this morning that he had heard
lalk OF trouble and this caused him
70 tell hist caller that the paper
nanger had left the hotel. Aftel
tnis conversation the man and his
companions left. Mr.. Johnson SAN
mat he did not know whether they
nad an automobile. The man who
questioned the hotel proprietor was
described as being tall, of athletic
ouild and dark complexioned. HI
was we'll dressed.
Fainter Frightened Away.
Inc gang then went to a dwell
ing newly erected at Twelfth stree
ana Twentieth avenue, the proper
W OF William Wells. contractor
~ tofe down the scaffolding. On,
Jumped through an open window
.n'o the house and the other fel
70 tne ground as the scaffoldins
gave way. Paint was spilled ovel
Me yard and over the side Of tn,
souse e OF William Hansen. mex
WI or. Inc gang threatened to Kill
.ue Two painters if they continued
WORK. Mr.. Skinner stated thi
%%orning that the man from De-
.a; J,aes drew his pay today. and wa.
s.ns ~ 10 leave Rock Island. Skin
~ a c,aims that Rice is the mai
sao drove the gang to the Well
/ be car. >'oe u'u no' iesV
.ne gang then went to the G.. q
arson drug store 631 Ninth street
Se druggists father, F. o. Lar
I, ,ss Ised 81, who makes his hom
ms son, was in living room
H tne drug store. He Is said I,
oeen working on pay from tn
sea OF the building. Two mem
VI tne gang went upstairs an,
~ MIN If he had q union card
On being told that he did moi
sttacked him. severely bea
III seout the head and face an
Ncked him downstairs.
reported this. morning that b
from the injuries.
Leaders Deploro Acts.
nciais OF the Tri-City Feders
VI Labor and leaders of tn
as individual unions united h
INNING the trouble. They sal
organiEed labor will not sui
~ tne retention Of any prove
~. r. 6urns. secretary of th
Sly Builders exchange, sal
morning that he very muc
sa ~ the acts Wednesday. an
N mat he was convinced that o.
labor does not stand ID
outrages. He said that th
suings are to be deplored fc
saSi ason that = few radicals ca
III oisrepute on any class {
ssidins citizens.