Riot in Lodz As Slayer of Manufacturer Dies of Victim’s Defense Shot

Lodz, the Manchester of Poland, is greatly disturbed over the double tragedy which occurred here several days ago and which disclosed the deplorable relations between the Polish and the Jewish workers in the textile industry.

Several days ago Albert Kohn, director of one of the leading textile plants in the city owned by his father Oscar Kohn, well known Polish Jewish textile king, was shot and killed by a worker, Ciecinski, who had been employed in the factory. In defending himself from his assailant, Kohn shoot Ciecinski, who was taken to the hospital where he died several hours after the death of his victim, Albert Kohn.

Reports were current in the city that the shooting of young Kohn was the result of an agitation among the Polish workers in the textile plant owned by the Kohns against the employment of Jewish workers. The workers, who are largely members of the Polish Socialist Party, P. P. S., object to the admission of Jewish workers into the industry. Recently, following a prolonged strike, one Jewish worker was employed when the workers returned to work and immediately a new strike was declared, demanding his dismissal. Albert Kohn, who took an active part in the direction of the plant, was said to have formulated a policy of non-discrimination against Jewish workers, determining employment only on the basis of skill. The Polish workers, whose organization is strong, resented the introduction of Jews into the factory. The act of Ciecinski was said to be the result of this resentment.

The funeral of Ciecinski took place yesterday under extraordinary conditions. The police, fearing demonstrations, ordered the interment to be arranged secretly. None the less, a group of workers gathered at the Catholic cemetery after the funeral, delivered addresses and laid wreaths on the grave. In fear of riots the police interfered, dispersing the crowd. During this attempt a large number of the workers received injuries, some of them serious.