RIOT AT DENVER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 22 November 1927, Page 5

RIOT AT DENVER

BATTLE AT COAL MINE POLICE USE THEIR GUNS. STRIKE STARTED BY THE I.W.W. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.] A message from Denver, Colorado, states that four were killed and more than a score injured, six critically, in a clash this morning with the State police, when 500 striking coal miners stormed the property of the Rocky Mountain Cdal Company. After a hand-to-hand fight, the police were overwhelmed and resorted to their guns, the demonstrators using all manner of wea-

pons. The I.W.W. inaugurated the strike on October 18th.

(Received 22, 10.50 a.m.)

New York, Nov, 21, *Later messages from Denver state that the long and tense mine dispute broke into open violence when the State police and striking miners battled at the Columbine mine. Official, reports declare that two strikers were killed and at least 30 persons injured. The fight occurred when 500 miners and women sympathisers rushed tfie 15 State guards at the mine, which has been a testing ground since the strike was called, and the only property operated virtually throughout the strike.

When the miners approached the property the deputy-sheriff mounted a truck and warned them against entering the enclosure. The miners paused but the leaders urged them on, and the crowd pushed inside. The police used tear bombs, and the miners retreated cursing and yelling, but charged again when the gas cleared, despite further police warnings. The latter fired in the air, hoping to stop the advance, but the attackers swung clubs, waved knives, and swept on to the officers, who then fired into the advancing ranks. Two miners dropped dead at the first volley. In the meantime,,,in another clash near Aguilar, 12 more miners were injured and 35 were arrested by deputy-sheriffs, but no shots -were fired. Governor Adams stated that martial law would shortly be declared, and National Guardsmen were being despatched to the strike zone.—(A. and N.Z.)