Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 135, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1903 — CHICAGO LABOR WAR [ARTICLE]

CHICAGO LABOR WAR

RIOT AND DISORDER FEATURES ' OF THE STREET-CAR TIE-UP. l—l Great Denunciatory Mass Meeting; of Unionists Held—Attempt to Open State Street Cable Line Meets with Violent Resistance by Mob. Chicago dispatch; "Hang the Aidermen!” "On to the City Hall!” were the slogans of the 35.000 Chicago street car strikers and sympathizing trade unionists who filled the great auditorium at Tnttersall’s Sunday afternoon. Threats, denunciations and violence were in the air. Aldermen were called “grafters” and "thieves,” the Mayor’s name was hissed and the police department denounced; obloquy, prison and death were urged for all concerned Im-the-granting-of franchises. The resolutions adopted demanded the immediate ceasing of negotiations with the traction companies, the removal of the police from the ears, the opening of proceedings for municipal ownership of car lines and the removal of the City Railway Company from 'the streets if better service was not given at once. A riot, in which several hundred men. women and children took part,, occurred on Archer avenue Saturday. The mob, which gathered to intercept a number of wagons udder escort, conveying food to the barns, charged the police and constables, shouting and throwing A constable was struck on the head and badly' cut. Tile police drew their revolvers and made a stand about the wagons, Hfff refrained from shooting. The rioters were finally driven back and consoled themselves by burning a wagon previously wrecked in the vicinity of the barns. Sensational rumors that an attempt had been made to blow up cars on the Wentworth avenue line by means of dynamite caps proved groundless. Three railroad signal torpedoes fastened to the rail were at first believed to contain dy- ■ U&mitfl. ,J —~..u. t |..asfcl.t> Ml. inTI IglM >- Police Use Revolvers. On Monday shots were fired by the police, flying sticks and stones shattered windows, many persons were clubbed aud a number were arrested in clashes between a crowd of strike sympathizers aud a strong force of patrolmen when the Chicago City Railway Companystarted cars under heavy police guard on its State street cable line.

The first serious - outbreak of disorder came at Forty-first street as the first street car passed, the police drawina and firing a dozen shots in the air as they charged the throng, pounding with their clubs to right aud left. / A few minutes later and the police attacked a number of strikers who were .endeavoring to get off the street and into the strike headquarters at 3856 State street. The men were clubbed into the hallway and up the stairs, a number falling bruised and bleeding. While this disorder prevailed International President Mahon of the union, the executive committee of the striking employes and Attorneys Harrow and Prentiss waited to receive the company's reply to the peace propositions advanced by the men, v . . • Mr. Mali on and,Mr. Dnrrow assorted that the situation was not wholly clouded. They hazarded an opinion that agreement might come soon. Shoot Two of u Mob. Two non-union workmen, brought to bay by hundred strikers near the American Hide and Leather tannery, Front and Sangamon streets, fired into the crowd, wounding two men. The nonunion men had applied for work, when the strikers and their sympathizers attacked them, throwing stones and sticks. The two men fled at first, but afterward turned, faced their pursuers and fired desperately into the crowd. Two men fell at" thp first shots, seriously injured. Emboldened by their success, the nonunion men advanced toward the crowd, firing rapidly. The rioters broke and ran.