The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-08
FOUR INJURED
IN REAL SILK
MILL DISORDER
Police Sergeant Admits
Beating Man Before
Plant Gates.
27 PERSONS ARRESTED
Strikers Trials Postponed
Until May 18; Bail
Refusal Hit.
27 PERSONS ARRESTED

New outbreaks of violence fared
along the strike front at the Real
silk hosiery mills today as twenty
seven persons were arrested on
charges of melting to riot and dis
orderly conduct. and at least four
persons were hurt. one severely.
Sergeant Clifford Richter, in
charge Of a police detail at the
mills, admitted beating a man be-
lieved TO be Glen Kroening. "a, New
Bethel. who was arrested today or
charges of interfering with an Of
hcer. Employees Of the Dodocher
restaurant on Walnut street. near
the mil, saw the alleged beating and
termed Sergeant Richter's actions
as brutal
Postponing trials Of the strikers
arrested today and last night until
May 10. Judge William Sheafer
sharply criticised the action of the
police in refusing to admit the
prisoners to bail.
witnesses Describe Beating
Some day you policemen will
learn that persons arrested on mis-
demeanor charges have the right to
lawful bond" he said.
The ALLEGED beating purported
to have been administered by
Sergeant Richter to the striker oc-
CURED IN front of the mills gates
today when the man attempted to
walk toward the office. Challenged
by Richter, the youth first stated
that he was not a striker.
Richter then hit him several
times and slammed him against the
brick wall of the mill, according to
statements made to a Times re-
porter by Mary Kenyon and John
r. Rodocher, employees of a restau-
rant at $500 East Walnut
street. across the street from where
the alleged beating took place.
Anything the boy said l did, I'll
admit Sergeant Richter told a
Times reporter.
As violence flared along the strike
front last night, Chief Mike Morris
sey. whose attitude until today has
been one Of passive resistance, be-
came inCensed and ordered all avail
able policemen into action.
He issued orders to use force
if necessary"
Chief MorrisSey, ordering his men
10 meet violence with violence in
creased policemen's working shifts
from eight hours to twelve hours. 1t
is estimated that about 10 police
men are on duty in the strike area
this morning.
The clashes between strikers and
company employees last night we're
the most serious since armed private
guards were ordered out of the city
a few days ago.
Union Officer Arrested
Following the outbreaks last
night. police went to the Harrison
hotel. where they arrested William
Smith. 80. of Philadelphia. Pa. X
ecutive secretary of the Amalga-
mated Garment Workers National
Union, on a charge of melting to
riot.
Chief MorriSSey admitted that as
far as he knew, Mr.. Smith had not
ordered the strikers to commit vio-
lence. but that he was guilty of
making some speeches." and. as a
national union executive he could
be held responsible for the acts of
the strikers.
Released from jail on $1,000 bond
early today. Mr.. Smith termed his
arrest and the arrests of strikers an
outrage.
Nothing was done when a fero-
ciOus gang Of armed private guards
rode the streets of indianapolis like
c~ossacks." he said. The police chief
was afraid to raise his hand. fear
ing that he might incur the wrath
of the company officials. But now
its A different story. These peo-
pie are striking for a principle.
We're going to picket while the last
man still stands
$500 Reward Offered
In a paid advertisement. the Real
Silk Company offered a reward of
$500 for the arrest and conviction
of the person or persons guilty of
bombing the home of John Madden,
26l4 East North street; May g."
The attempt to blow up his home
in the middle of the night was a
daStardly and cowardly act" the
advertisement read.
No mention was made by the
company officials in the advertise
ment of the reign of terror created
among Indianapolis citizens by
armed private guards alleged to be
in the employ of the company and
who were ordered out of town by
Prosecutor Herbert E. Wilson.
In the disorders last night, Will
liam Baum, industrial engineer at
the Real Silk plant, was stoned by
a group of alleged strikers as he left
his Office at the plant and walked
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