San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-27
MOB CARRIED IN
SPECIAL TRAIN
UN|ONMAN SAYS
Armed Men Used Railroad
to Break Harrison Strike,
He Charges.
APPEAL TO PRESIDENT
Brotherhood Also Votes
$500 for Widow Of
Hanged Machinist.
APPEAL TO PRESIDENT


Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 27.-Charges
that mob special" carrying armed
men was run over the Missouri /
North Arkansas Railroad for the purpose
of inflicting punishment upon striking
employees Of the railway, were made in
statement made public today by d. b.
Robertson, president Of the Brotherhood
Of Locomotive Fircmen and Engine
men.
Mr.. Robertson has communicated
with the governor of Arkansas asking
a thorough investigation of the recent
trouble at Harrison and Heber Springs
involving the lynching Of a striker by
unidentified men End the expulsion OF
n number of other strikers by a "citi-
zenS' committee He has promised
the governor his organization would CO.
operate with the state in bringing to
justice all guilty parties regardless of
who they may be.
The brotherhood directors have voted
10 set aside $4,000 for the relief OF
striking firemen on the Missouri x
NeYth Arkansas line and $500 also was
voted TO the widow OF f. c. GregOr,
the union machinist. who was hanged
at Harrison. Ark.
Mob Spirit Ruled.
Preliminary press reports were some
what vague. Mr.. Robertson said, but
they indicated that the Arkansas at
fair was the elimination of public
sentiment against the Missouri and
North Arkansas strikers, but he de-
clared it seemed unbelievable that the
railroad management knew nothing OF
the running Of what he termed the
"mob special
"The spirit OF the mob seems to
have ruled the entire situation from
the time the train was started on its
mission until il reached Harrison.
Ark. and the striking members unmeri-
cifully beaten, one Of their associates
hanged from railroad trestle and
the families Of all the strikers separat-
cd and driven into the woods OF
Arkansas without food or shelter.
Our records show that the wives
and children of some Of our striking
were forced TO travel through
the woods day and night. carrying Their
smaller children in their tbs, until
they were completely exhausted. They
are now being sheltered and provided
for temporarily in the homes Of friends
in various sections of the state. while
n number of them were unable 10 find
shelter within the state and are now
being cared for by friends in bordering
states"
Asked for Aaid.
Mr.. Robertson said that the railroad
had "cndeavored to en-
list the cooperation of the President
Of the United States and the governor
IF Arkansas to the end that our men,
bers may be accorded the protection
that their rights as citizens command"
but that very little has been accom-
plished along this line"
Two of the strikers had been sent |
'nced to the penitentiary after having |
4 pleaded guilty before the citizens |
COURT" Mr.. Robertson said, adding:
Our records show that these men |
we're advised by authorities that to
plead guilty would insure that their
ives would be spared" He declared !
,ther strikers, under threat Of their |
ives, were forced to sign discriminating !
The brotherhood of Locomotive
7iremen and Enginemen. he declared.
s determined "to carry this matter to
final conclusion"