The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-08-17
HANDLING A CROWD.
HOW 1T is DONE BY THE POLICEMEN
OF NEW YORK.
Clubbing. Which Was Once So Popular, Is
Not Now In Favor-Telephone Stations
Along the Line Of March Keep the Chief
In Touch with "a H.g Parade.

|
in the world.
1t has been said thar New Workers. will
stand more police dictation than would be
endured by tho people of London or Paris
and will submit without complaining to
being ordered about and even dubbed by
the autocrat with brass buttons Recent
observations have tended TO confirm the
belief that the police of this city are be-
coming less domineering while they are no
less effective in the protection of the public |
when the streets are filled with crowds.
There was time, remembered by many |
| New Workers, when it was hardly safe to |
ask lordly policeman plain question. |
| He was inclined to make reply by "stiff |
punch" with the end of his big night stick. |
| The art of clubbing was practiced with
such impunjty that the average citizen re-
garded policeman with fear and trem-
bling Alec Williams was In his glory
then, and the "boss clubber" was an OBJ
ject of so much interest that people would
stop and gaze at him with curiosity as he
strobe about the streets. His declaration
that there was "more law in the end OF
policeman's club than in "a decision of the
court of appeals had weight then. 1t was
the custom in those days to control crowds
PEOPLE were SO much accustomed to exhi-
billions of violence that there was no pub
lie outcry when a squad of police chased
crowd of unoffendng men back from
fire with a shower of blows and deluge
of awful threats
Old time police officials have declared
: that the riot of 1868 was responsible for
t much police brutality in the years that fol-
} lowed. The police had to fight hard on
that occasion, and their only weapon was
the club. When they closed with the mob,
their orders were, "Iake no prisoners.
Inspector Carpenter, who led in the fight
inc, gave the additional command, "Wher-
ever YOU SEQ head hit il" When tho
riot was over, the citizens Of New York
- united in praise of the police, who had
q earned the designation of "the finest
Later The members of the force never failed
q to distinguish themselves in fights against
disorderly crowds, but they often failed to
. make distinction between rowdies who de-
q served to be dubbed and unoffending citi-
! zens who were entitled TO protection ana
considerable treatment. The habit OF
. charging the crowds with drawn clubs
/" remained fixed for years, and it was not
until the commissioners amended the rules
:, so as to require policeman to keep his
v club in his belt unless no was obliged to
=, draw 1t in self defense that the practice
:, was dropped. Even in holding police lines
!, at fires or at great parades 1t was the GUS
~ tom of policemen to use their clubs in
=, pushing back persons who got over the
~ line and it was common thing to see
a policeman reach over and hit the heads ol
II, people who were being pushed toward the
i've front by crowds in the rear. The sight Of
On waving clubs was an inseparable feature
o of every great parade in Broadway ant
~ Fifth avenue, and smashed hats, If no
broken heads, were often the results OF to-
IN much eagerness to get in the front rank o
sightseers.
a., The ability of the police to handle larg
10 crowds without the use of clubs was frs
40 demonstrated at the great Columbian pa
"a | rades in New York. Never were the side
~ walks in Broadway more densely crowdc'
~, at a passing show. At all the corners o
30 side streets stood trucks, four or five at
Lo each corner, piled high with spectators
20 People pushed their way in solid masse
- between the trucks, blocking the outlet
from Broadway and threatening To fore
''' the police lines. The orders of Superb
:. tendent Byrnes against clubbing were poi
w. tive and explicit, and it would have bee
80 reckless for policemen to use their clubs
- such an emergency Mounted policeme
So were stationed at the street corners, an
~ they used their horses in pushing back ii
crowds. Some of the well trained ANNA
appeared to understand the work cut oil
for them as we'll as their riders. The
would lean up against crowds and pusl
re- making short, careful steps, as II mindf'
lat of the feet that were near their iron she
H. hoofs.
ate 1t was at the time of the centenni
- - Il Al. xkxs
oil stations along the line was first put in'
PEI operation. Mr.. Byrnes was able to sit
are his office at police headquarters and he
OF the music of the bands and the cheers
md the multitude at any point from which
ers desired To get information He was alb
,e' also To strengthen the police lines at
tn. Mace where crowd increased unexpecte
ost ly by sending reserve force from Il
as- nearest station.
Inn The advantages of complete telephol
its, service were demonstrated In the cente
em' NAL parade. Several persons were hurt
uge oyercrowded stands or tainted In the cru
reat of pushing people, and in every case al
S of bulances were summoned from the nea
und est hospitals without delay.
zen At recent large parades and on other @
aces casions when the police have had to co
feet troll large crowds in the streets 1t has be-
ives noticed that all the policemen carry the
ST. clubs attached to their belts and wa
oily only their hands when they order peor
IN move back. They have received 6
most positive orders not to be rude or u
unnecessary force in keeping the lines, br
, in ON the contrary, to mingle gentleness wi
AVS firmness. A.,
now IL must not bo supposed, however, tn
~. - all the members of the force are fond
~ the new method, and there are instanc
:, =, when policeman will exhibit the don
'oin. neering manner which members OF {
nnor force often displayed 90 years ago. Ne
west YORK lrlDuno'
- - The Cocoanut.
able The cocoanut tree Is the most useful