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Stench Bombs in Musicians' Strike

Chicago Theatre Outrages Are Charged to Sympathizers

Source: Variety, 6 August 1920, pg. 7.

A stench bomb onslaught which has been charged against the striking musicians was attempted in the Pantheon, Riviera and Chateau Friday night.

Shortly before 9 o'clock stench bombs were burst in the Chateau. Employees of the house immediately spread a neutralizing acid. Nate Ascher, who was at the Pantheon, was notified, and when a short time later an effort was made to spread the bombs in this house the counter action was so rapid few people in the house became aware of the attempt.

At about the same time the bombs were used in the Riviera, when Mrs. Balaban, wife of one of the proprietors, who was setting in the rear of the house, noticed the man who broke the bomb and signaled one of the employees, who followed him. As soon as he got outside of the house he started to run, but was caught by Detectives Dunn and Hardy. The man was booked at the Summerdale station, where he gave his name as John Horran, 7536 W. Congress street. He carried a card of the Sheet Metal Workers' Union.

It was rumored a number of smaller theatres on the south side were also visited by the bomb throwers.




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Page authored: 18 February 2000 -
Copyright 2000 by Scott A. Newman
Source: Variety, 6 Aug 1920, 7.