Evening star., 1931-05-20
LABOR EDITOR SHOT
ASD|SPUTE AMONG
ENGINEERS FLARES
Frank Langdon in a Critical
Condition at Emergency
Hospital.
ASSAILANT FIRES TWO
GUNS AT UNION GROUP
Vest Pocket Book Saves Life of
Arthur M. Huddell, Presi.
dent.


International Union of Operating En-
gineers flared up today when an un.
identified gunman fired seven shots al
three officials of the organization aS
they sat at lunch in the Robin HOOD
Coffee Shop, Tenth and X streets
shortly after noon. The would-oe as
sassin welded two guns.
One of the trio, shot through the
eye, is Frank Langdon, 72-year-old as
sociate editor of the Trade Union
journal. He is in Emergency Hospital
in a critical condition.
pocketbook in the vest of Arthur
M Huddell, president OF the union
stopped bullet that may have taken
his life Another narrowly escaped hit
ting John Possehl, general secretary
and treasurer Of the union.
Fired at Bystander.
The gunman ran out to tie street
and, after firing final shot at an In
nocent hystander who blocked his
path. dashed through an alley and
escaped.
The restaurant where the shooting
took place is across the street from the
union headquarters, on the doorstep oi
which q woman horsewhipped one OF
the off1cials Of the organization a few
weeks ago. Since the time of the
horsewhipping and as a result of othel
disputes in various parts Of the country
HuddeH said he and the other ofiicers
had asked for police protection.
npoeeaA a., ,-san1aa fres lie hltie
shirt and cap, the gunman, who was
described as of stocky build and about
IS years of age. entered the cafeteria
while the three oficiaIs were eating
He walked up TO the counter and or
dered a fun lunch.
According TO the chef, Henry Neal,
who waited OH the man, he appeared
nervous and complained of the heat in
the place as he cast anxious glances
seated. He walked to q table nearby
and after setting his tray on the table,
commenced his assault.
Drawing a revolver from rear pock-
ct. he fired point-blank ct Huddell,
who fell back He then turned his
gun toward Possehl and fred another
shot witnesses said his gun jammed
after he fred two or three times, and
throwing it to the floor with an oath
he commenced firing with q second
pistol. 1t was bullet from this gun
.3s-caliber weapon, that struck Lang
don.
The union ofiiciaIs, despite the fusil-
ode Of bullets, fought back desperately.
OyerturninR their table. they threw
chairs and dishes at their assailant.
Three other patrons, including a
woman, fed while the fight was at its
height.
Flees on Foot.
After the gunnnan had shot all but
one bullet from his second weapon, he
turned and ran from the restaurant,
fleeing up Tenth street on foot
Miss Inanell Jester, manager OF the
coffee shop, witnessed the shooting.
Il took no particular notice of the
man when he. walked in" she said
except for observing that he was dress
cd in working clothes. He ordered q
lunch of pork chops. bread and coffee
and went over TO table near the other
men.
My back was turned when the first
shot was fired. but I had turned around
at the second. The man with the
guns didn't say a word TO the others
but just stood there. firing and firing
It's wonder they weren't all killed.
Miss Jester said she would know the
Runman II she saw him again.
Not Unexpected.
Huddell stated this afternoon that
the attack was not unexpected
We have asked for police protec-
tion,' he said, because we knew that
there would be an uprising from this
element. We have expelled more than
20 members In various parts of the
country recently because they refused
20 abide by our laws. and We defeated
court cases in which they sought TO be
Teinstated.
L personally have undertaken to
eliminate racketeering in many re-
spects In cur union. and l knew that
had created enemies"
Huddell classified the expelled men,
bers as Communists" and "bolsheviks y
Il have been president Of this union
for eight years" he said. "and I know
there are many who do not like my
administration. Without a doubt, I'm
the man they were after"
complete set OF flngerprints was
obtained from the dishes which were
handed by the gunman. They were
20 be photographed and held with the
gun for evidence.
Huddell could not name the gunman
A witness to the shooting said the as
sailant escaped in a coupe bearing Dis.
trict license tags. which police said they
believed were stolen from j. CLAUDE
KEEPER. grand secretary Of Masons. u
whom they were issued.
Huddell, who went TO the tospita
with Langdon, found that his own lift
had been saved by note book in hi
pocket. bullet had struck him ovel
the heart, and was found embedded II
the book
According to Henry Neal. 40 year
old, colored chef in the cafeteria. ths
gunman appeared to be in a highl!
nervous state just prior to the shooting
After putting in his order for lunch
Neal said. the man seemed TO be trem
bling. and his lips were quiyering. HI
made some remark about how hot 4
was in the restaurant and kept turn
ing his head toward the table wherl
his intended victims sat.
He placed dollar bill on the countei
for his lunch and walked over to {
table Just behind that occupied by tn,
three men. while he was removing hi
lunch from the tray, Miss Jester, tn
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