STEEL STRIKE PICKETS BROKER

Northern Advocate, 12 June 1937, Page 5

STEEL STRIKE PICKETS BROKER

Routed By 200 Special Deputies

tUnited Press Association.— By Electric

Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received 10 a.m,) NEW YORK, June 10. A telegram from Monroe, Michigan, states that in the presence of 10,000 cheering townsfolk, 200 special sheriff’s deputies, throwing gas bombs, made a breach in a cordon of strike pickets belonging to the forces of the Committee for Industrial Organisation, thus enabling 500 steel workers to return to their duties. The pickets were armed with bats, hose and iron pipes, but were scattered without being able to use their weapons. Eight people were treated in hospital for minor im juries.. American Legion. Members of the American Legion had mobilised as special deputies, and been sworn in and massed at Monroe in the afternoon. Two hundred received clubs, four were given gas guns, and dozens of gas bombs, were issued. Their onslaught was launched after the pickets, who had expected 4000 reinforcements from Toledo, announced their intention of standing firm. The deputies scattered the defenders like rabbits, after which the workers entered the plant and the Republic Steel Corporation in 400 motor cars. No Lives Lost. That no lives were lost was due to the superior equipment of the deputies, and to the fact that the pickets had ho firearms. Discipline among the attackers held until pickets were scattered, after which fugitives were overtaken by groups of 50, and badly beaten. Reinforcements Barred. Learning of the defeat of the Monroe steel picketers, 10,000 workers at the nearby Pontiac Motor Plants declared a holiday, and prepared to motor to Monroe to help the re-establishment of the picket line. Mr Homer Martin, unionist leader, on being advised and fearing serious bloodshed, went to the Pontiac works and castigated a mass meeting of workers.

“You can’t go about closing plants,” he said. “The trouble with this union is tluit there is no discipline. You must return to work.”

The meeting decided to abandon its march. In the meantime, the Mayor of Monroe frantically and unsuccessfully sought the Governor of Michigan, Mr Frank Murphy, to call out the military.