The times., 1901-06-23

brought together a small army of the
unemployed and camped them at the
corner of North Capitol and NJ Streets.
He assured them that re-enforcements
by the thousand were coming TO them
from all parts of the country to enforce
governmental action for their relief
Constant levies were made upon the
merchants of the city and the men even
marched to the Capitol and the Treas
ury and on entering made demands
upon the officials. All public work was
stopped, including the laying of the
foundation for the Bureau OF Engrav-
ing and Printing. The entire city was
in turmoil of excitement. The courts
were appealed to in vain. No one
! seemed to know what to expect next.
The Treasury guards were doubled in
numbers and were armed. The police
were kept on constant reserve. The
fifty mounted men were held at Prices
stables, on Sixth Street, ready to re-
spond at a moments notice. The Gov
ernment became alarmed and an addi-
tional battalion of infantry was ordered
to Washington and stationed at the Ar
senaI.
In the midst of all this Lieutenant
Austin notified his men to Immediately
get word to him if Cohen and his gang
should enter the precinct That very
day Cohen and his followers stopped
gang of men who were at work at
the corner of Seventh and I Streets.
The foreman appealed to policeman
who happened along and offered the
use Of his buggy to take him to the
station on Tenth Street. Austin or
dered his men to fail in, and fourteen
strong they marched down Tenth Street
TO D Street to Seventh Street.
Cohen had just passed the corner in
his buggy and just behind him was
the wagon on which vas the constantly
ringing bell. Austin wheeled his men
into line, intercepted the column, and
ordered the disturbers of the peace to
disperse. They entirely blocked the
western side of the street, about 400
strong, while the other side of the street
was piled with paving stones which had
not yet been laid. The merchants on
either side of the street closed their
places of business in anticipation of
bloodshed, but a determined charge by
the police soon put to flight the half
hearted followers of Cohen, who re-
turned to the camp, and shortly after
ward dispersed. This prompt and en-
ergetic action, which was universally
commended, broke the backbone of the
movement which soon crumbled and
fell away to nothingness.
1t was through the efforts of Captain
Austin that the present helmet and
frock coat were adopted by the depart
ment and it has been his constant
aim to keep both the men and their uni
forms up to the standard. In speaking
Of the difference between police duty
Of the past and Of the present Captain
Austin recently said:
Duties now are more trying, but IA
cilities have greatly improved. The men
of former days worked harder but
never murTnured. Frequently they
would have to carry prisoners several
miles TO the station house, and in case
of drunks or other obstreperous persons
they were pretty well exhausted when
they reached their journeys end. 1
consider the patrol system, with the
telephone and signal boxes, permitting
hourly communication with every man
in the department, the greatest i'm
provement in the method of conduct
Ing the police business. 1t binds the
department together as a unity and
makes it possible to concentrate the en-
ire IL
in an incredibly short space of time"