The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-24

watching troops and strikers bat
tie at the Electric Auto Lite plant
today.
He was taken into a nearby
house. 1t was feared his eyes were
blasted way by the charge. It was
the first major casualty since the
troops arrived.
By United Press
TOLEDO, O., May 24.-The
huge Electric Auto-Lite plant
became an embattled fortress
today while grim youngsters
of the military guarded it
with bayonet and gas gun
against a jeering, hostile MOI
of striking workmen.
National guardsmen twice were
forced to loose barrage of gas to
quell incipient efforts on the part
of the surly mob to continue rioting
which turned the area into battle
ground during the night.
Retching and coughing from eff
feet of the vicious gas, strikers re-
treated, slowly, sullenly, and gath.
cred at a distance to scream inn
precautions at the company, its of
flcerS, and the troops.
Battered walls, broken windows
and charred remains of numerous
small fires gave mute evidence of
the wrath which strikers turned
against the company which has re-
fused to recognize their union, the
United Automotive workers.
Seek to Repair Damage
The big plant was empty of all
save nilitian1en, company officials
and a small gang of worknaen who
strove to repair damage from last
nights fighting. Some 1900 men
and women workers, held prisoners
in the plant for almost twenty-four
hours because they worked as
strike breakers, had been freed by
the coming of the national guards
men.
Bandaged heads were numerous
among strikers and Syrnpathizers
who formed the mob. More than
a score of persors-Strikers strike
breakers and police-were treated
for injuries from flying bricks and
clubs.
Guardsmen were equipped with
gas masks, and when they let go a
gas attack they advanced under its
cloud, prodding right and left the
bayonets and bawling orders for the
mob to disperSe. One 15-year-old
boy suffered slight bayonet wound.
There were many women in the
crowd, most of them not strikers.
Troopers pleaded with those who
were obviously spectators to leave.
Mob Grows Steadily
The mob grew steadily as mid
day approached. Strikers and heck
lers refused to disperSe. They with
drew when gas was looSed, but
showed quickly forward again. Men
swore at soldiers, called them "yel-
low dogs"
Mayor Klotz issued an order
banning all auto traffic in the area.
Lieutenant Colonel E. w. Fuhr of
the national guard could handle the
crowd if it was not necessary to
contend with traffic
Soldiers we're given terse orders
to release gas any time bricks were
hurled.
E. H. Dunnigan, conciliator for
the department of labor, called to.
gether labor officials, Thomas Ram.
sey. business agent of the union.
and members of the regional labor
board for a conference looking to-
ward truce, at least temporary.
Gas Has Telling Effect
The first attempt of the mob to
retaliate came when troops were
subjected to shower of brickbats
shortly after noon when they hurled
tear gas into the ranks of an adj
vancing group. The strikers re-
treated, throwing missiles behind
them. Bricks struck the steel he'll
NETS of several soldiers. Sputtering
gas bombs were picked up and
tossed back at the soldiers.
The vomiting gas had a telling
effect on the rioters. Many of them
were doubled up with nausea, but
few left the scene.