GUN BATTLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23223, 22 June 1937, Page 9

GUN BATTLE

STRIKERS AND POLICE OUTBREAK OF RIOTING PICKETS BLAMED FOR ATTACK (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW YORK, June 20. One picket was killed and at least 10 persons were wounded at the gate of the Republic Steel plant at Youngstown when part of a crowd of 5000 sympathisers with the strikers fought a three-hour gun battle with a detachment of 360 police. Two women and four sheriff’s deputies were among the casualties

The massed efforts of all available city and county police, reinforced by other officials armed with rifles and shotguns, finally brought the fighting under control. The strike leaders afterwards demanded that Governor Daven send the militia to the scene. SENT TO HOSPITAL Another report states that 28 people were sent to hospital and scores of others were treated at private homes and strike headquarters for minor injuries. The Chief of Police (Mr Olson) ordered the arrest of all pickets carrying guns and other weapons. Twenty-four persons were arrested in the first few hours.

Mr Olson alleged that the riot was planned in advance, and said the pickets, without provocation, attacked the police with stones and paving bricks, after which the police used tear gas. Mr Olson denied that the police fired their guns, but union officials alleged that the riot was precipitated by sheriffs and deputies firing from a motor car into a group of pickets. Women who were injured said they were wounded by this shooting. STEEL WORKS CLOSED

A message from Johnstown stales that the Bethlehem Steel Company has agreed to comply with the governor’s order to close the plant, but issued a statement saying it was only under protest and duress. The furnaces were immediately banked, and the workers began filing out through lines of State police, who refused to permit any to reA SECOND DEATH RESULT OF GUNSHOT WOUND YOUNGSTOWN, June 20. (Received June 21, at 9 p.m.) Another picket has died. The cause of death was a gunshot wound. This is the second death from injuries received in the riot, enter.