Rocky Mount, July 18—The first manifestation of the law in connection with the disorders and acts of violence that have characterized the shopmen’s strike at the Atlantic Coast Line’s shops here became known tonight when it was learned that the city authorities had placed three men under arrest on charges of kidnapping as an outgrowth of the spiriting away of 13 company guards and non-union workers from the shops during the past few days.
The men taken into custody are F. Wilson, merchant at South Rocky Mount; R.N. Barnes, machinist’s helper at the Emerson shops, and Pat Causby, alias John Carberry also a machinist’s helper at the local shops. These men have been placed under $500 bond, city authorities state, for later trial. In the meantime, agents of the department of justice are understood to be on the watchout for violations of the restraining order secured by the railroad from Judge H.G. Connor in the eastern Carolina district United States court at Wilson, but no official announcement has been made in this connection.
Following the mass meeting of the striking men last night, which was addressed by J.F. McMahon, chairman of the executive committee of the state federation of labor, who urged the men to refrain from acts of violence and warned them against violating the terms of the injunction, absolute quiet has reigned in strike circles last night and today, no acts of violence being reported. Railroad officials counter-reply to this situation by declaring there is nothing to disturb at South Rocky Mount as all the workers and guards have departed and but a scant half dozen officials are going their best to keep the trains moving. So far there has been no interruption of passenger traffic. Although an embargo was yesterday placed on all freight save live stock and perishables through this point and is already making itself felt.
At a meeting this afternoon followed by another conference tonight, representative citizens of the city perfected the organization of a law and order league with L.V. basset as president, W.H. Wilkinson as vice-president, and N.Y. Chambliss as secretary. The organization at the initial meeting of which approximately 40 citizens were in attendance named a steering committee of 10 to rally other citizens to the cause. The members of the organization pledge themselves to maintain law and order here and have placed themselves at the command of the city authorities.
It was stated after the meeting tonight that a conference would also be held with representatives of the striking shop crafts to further the cause of law observance.
No further developments have occurred form the side of the federal authorities although this angle of the situation is momentarily expected to show its hand. In the meantime state troops are resting on their arms at Wilson pending any untoward developments that may unexpectedly break out here.
From The Greensboro Daily News, July 19, 1922
No comments:
Post a Comment