By Brock Barkley
Concord, Aug. 15—Severe criticism of Sheriff Carl M. Spears of Cabarrus County and Chief of Police C.A. Robinson of Concord for their failure to handle the strike situation here may lead to an investigation by State authorities.
The whole town is talking about the failure of the local authorities to handle the situation. The sheriff says he has “washed his hands” of the whole affair, and proposed to let State troops handle it. He could not be located this morning by The News’ correspondent. It was said he had gone into the country to serve a warrant.
Chief of Police Robinson claims he has done everything within his power to preserve law and order, but his force has not been sufficient to control the situation. He has eight regular policemen and since Thursday he has sworn in 10 special officers. The sheriff has two deputies.
Two ministers of Concord churches Sunday night severely criticized from their pulpits the management of the strike situation during the past week by the sheriff and police chief. Rev. J.L. Armstrong, pastor of Forest Hill Methodist church, told his congregation both officials should be impeached and thrown out of office at the earliest possible moment. He made the declaration that the lives and property of Concord citizens are not safe under existing conditions.
Would Dismiss Disturbers
Rev. G.W. Rollins, pastor of the McGill Street Baptist church, who has several mill workers on his church membership, declared during his sermon last night that he would use his influence to force the dismissal of any member caught in strikers’ picketing lines or attempting in any way to interfere with persons who wish to engage in lawful work.
Other ministers in Concord were reported to have made similar declarations from their pulpits, criticizing the local authorities and expressing displeasure at the interference of striking textile operatives with the operation of the Locke Mill, where the disturbance of Saturday morning occurred.
When Major R.R. Faison, commanding the two companies, reported to Sheriff Spears this morning, acting upon instructions to cooperate with the county authorities, the sheriff declined to discuss the situation with him. The sheriff told him he had “washed his hands” of the whole affair, and that the military could take charge.
Chief Robinson insisted, in talking with The News correspondent, that he had performed his duties in connection with the strike to the best of his ability.
“Any man who says I haven’t done the best I could is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him,” the sheriff said.
He produced 12 warrants which he said had been served as a result of the Saturday morning disturbance at the Locke mill when numerous fights occurred. The trial of these defendants was to have come up this morning but owing to the tenseness of the situation here the cases were continued until Friday of next week. At that time trials will be by jury in the municipal court. Convicted persons will of course be privileged to appeal to the superior court.
Wanted Local Policemen
It was learned that Chief Robinson was in Charlotte last Wednesday and called on Chief Walter B. Orr with the request that Charlotte officers be sent here to assist the local authorities. Chief Orr lacks authority to furnish policemen for duty elsewhere than in Charlotte, he told the Concord officer.
“It’s hard to get special officers,” Chief Robinson said. “Don’t anybody want to stir up a fight here, and they don’t want to serve as policemen on that account.”
The chief was asked what he considered the sentiment of the people of Concord with reference to the strike troubles. He declined to say, remarking that he did not want to express his opinion if it is to be made public.
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From the front page of The Charlotte News, Aug. 15, 1921
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