The Connecticut labor news., 1923-02-02
HOW WORKERS ARE TREATED
 IN ARKANSAS
First Hand Information of Atrocities Practiced By Mobs in West. An Accurate Description
 of Facts.

At the office of President Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor, the following report to Presi- dent Gompers by L. w. Lowry, A. F. of L. organizer and representative of the Federation at the legislative hear mgs on the Arkansas mob situation at Little Rock, Ark, was made public:
 Evidence before Legislative Com- mittee is positive that the mob was brought to Harrison on special train provided by the Missouri & North Arkansas Railway, and the mob, or part of them, was carried on special train to Heber Springs. Mayor Vincent of Heber Springs gave active assistance to the mob, in fact was one of them. Strikers and their friends were arrested by armed men, without process of law, and if they refused to sign an agreement to give up their union and become 100 per cent. American and M. & N. A. Rail- way they were ordered to leave. In a few instances time was given the strikers to leave and then they were given clearance signed by the Citi- zens' Committee. Several strikers were told that they were good citizens, but it was such men as they that made others stick, and so far as the residents of u, was called off
 "A MT. Casey, 64 years of age, long time merchant, had a farmers union- card in his window. Some members of the mob arrested him, beat up his son, and took them before the Citizens Com mittee, who immediately released them, instructing their guards not to molest farmer union men for fear that the farmers would resent it.
 "W. J. Wilson, 61 years, wife and nine children, formerly a section hand, owning house and small farm, receiving no strike benefits and other wise employed twas told to either sign up and guard bridges, help oper- ate the railway or get out. He went to the bank to arrange. to sell his Liberty bonds to support his wife and was given a fine letter of recommen- dation by the president of the bank, vouching for his good citizenship and integrity. The same banker was an armed guard when Wilson was being questioned by the rommittee! He walked 78 miles to Conway and then by train here.
 White County grand jury just ad- Journed and out of 6 indictments for felonies only three were against strik- CTS for alleged bridge burnings.
 Citizens committee still in charge of Harrison and Heber Springs Citi- zens in Eureka Springs held mass meeting and will request everyone to leave who cannot give a good rea- son for not signing to support to the limit the Missouri & North Arkansas Railway.
 "L. w. LOWRY"
 At the office of the Federation copy of pledge" which workers on strike at Heber Springs, Arkansas, were compelled by the mob to sign, also was made public. This pledge" was as follows:
 "I hereby decline to renounce my strike benefits but agree to leave He Der Springs and any county through which the M. & N. A. railroad passes. further agree to remain out of the above territory"
 Reports to the Federation indicate that the form of the pledge" varied in different localities but was to the same purport. Those who signed, swearing allegiance to the railroad and to the mob leaders, were given a white ribbon to wear as badge insuring safety.
 Upon refusal to sign the above, many were turned over to armed guards and were beaten" reports MT. Lowry. Among those so treated were sympathizers with trade unions as well as members of unions"