Evening star., 1953-01-19
Prison Rioters Shout
Defiance as Officials
Plan Next Moves
BY the Associoted Press

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 19.-
Rioting convicts. 1000 strong, |
who set fire and wreaked havoc
to the big Western State Peni-
tentiary, today defied worried |
officials backed by the armed |
might of Pennsylvania.
The cold and hungry convicts
held four guard hostages-flve
were captured originally-and
angrily shouted for prison
reforms. They smashed windows
and taunted police who stood
with rifles and submachine guns
ready to NOV down any prisoner
breaking from cell blocks.
Warden John w. Claudy
moved cautiously to avoid
bloodshed, although Pennsyl-
vania's Gov. John S. Fine de-
clared the State will not bargain |
with the rebels.
Investigation Asked.
Gov. Fine, who is in Washing
ton for the Eisenhower inaugu-
ration ceremonies, said he had
asked the attorney general in
Harrisburg to make an investi-
cation and report.
Col. C. M. Wilhelm, State po-
lice commissioner. arrived from
Harrisburg to direct 70 crack
State troopers who moved into |
the prison yard. More than 400 |
other policemen ringed the pris-
on and a police cruiser in the
nearby Ohio River trained its
machine guns on the peniten-
iary.
After Col. Wilhelm and Ward
en- Claudy conferred, other Of
flcials said no action to force
the convictS to surrender is ex-
pected before the arrival of Will
liam S. Brown, State secretary
OF welfare director of prisons).
and District Attorney James
Malone.
Delayed by Bad Weather.
At noon Warden Claudy said
he had been informed that Mr..
Malone and Mr.. Brown, who have
been in Washington, had been
delayed because of poor weather
conditions, but that their plane
would reach Pittsburgh shortly
after noon. The warden added
that as soon as they arrive II will
join them and all three of us will
talk to the convictS and try to get
them back into their cells"
Asked what will happen if the
peace plan fails, the warden re-
piled:
I'VE haven't decided just ex-
actly but that part of the riot
is up to Col. Wilhelm. He will
seek to quell the riot some way"
Sheriff Thomas Whitten said
tentative plans had been made to
end the riot, but he did not
elaborate.
Water Pumpers Brought Out.
Fire Chief Stephen Adley or
dered big bumpers to the prison
so water pressure could be in
creased if officials decide to COM
bat the convicts with fire hoses.
AS the bumpers moved into
position. the convicts said they
would be willing to release
Guard John Pilatic, 35, who was
reported slightly injured. Mr..
Pilatic refused. unless accom-
panied by Guard Joseph Guerra,
26, who was bruised up bit"
The prisoners turned down Mr..
Pilates request and both he and
Mr.. Guerra remained prisoners.
In another section of the pen
convicts held the other guards,
James Poole, 26, and Edward
Ament, AZ. They were reported
uninjured.
The convicts roamed through
big cell blocks at will. After
overpowering guards they un-
locked individual cells in the
blocks. However, their way to
the outside of the prison was
barred by heavy steel doors.
Damage May Pass S5OO,OOO.
Officials feared the damage es-
innate of $4,000 might run
much higher.
The prison workshop where all
of Pennsylvania's auto license
tags are manufactured was
gutted. It was reported that
several thousand 1858 plates had t
been destroyed.
The Rev. Vincent R. Hellstein,
a Roman Catholic chaplain at
the penitentiary, tried vainly to
get the convicts to surrender.
He said:
II talked to the men and tried |