The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-05-03
POLICE RIDE
DOWN SOCIALISTS
Riot Results From Attempt To Dis
play Red Flags By Gathering in
Grand Circus Park.

Because the Italian Socialists re-
fused to give up their red flags and
banners, the May-day parade which
had been arranged by the Socialist
party, was broken up shortly after
$3.50 Saturday afternoon.
There was a small riot for q minute
or SO after Supt. Downey gave his or
der to take away the flags and then
the mounted squad and police reserves
charged on the 800 Socialists gathered
in Grand Circus park, rode into them
and dispersed the gathering in all di-
rections.
Salvatore Legare, No. 425 Gratiot-
ave. and Antonio Buschenyi. No. 12S
Hastings-st., who had been the bearers
of the flags, and who, it Is charged.
resisted Capt. Baker, were taken under
arrest.
The Socialist demonstration was not
as large as -had-been- expected owing
to the inclement weather. Most OF
the 500 who had gathered to parade
were Italians, and they had red
banner labeled Italian Socialist party,
and n red flag furled in black cape.
Legare and Buschenyi had charge OF
these. Included in the crowd were a
number OF woman and several small
children with red suits.
Mixed in the crowd were about a
hundred sight-seers and 80 detectives
and plain clothes men.
At 2:25, Supt. Downey rode UP at
the head of the mounted squad and
followed by about 100 police reserves
on foot who were Immediately drawn
up along Witherell-st.
Tell them they must get rid or
those red flags or we will take them
away" was the command Supt. Dow
ney gave Capt. Baker.
The captain went alone into the
crowd where Legare and Buschenyi
sat on bench. He seized the banner
and attempted to take the flag also.
mo. please" pleaded Buschenyi.
We no show EN- Just carry"
Capt. Baker insisted however. and
the men resisted Immediately Detec-
tives Black, Wilson, Cotter and others,
and Sergt. Sprott came 10 Capt.
Bakers help. The Italians rounda-
bout crowded in and some Of them
struck at the plain clothes men and
tried to get their comrades free.
Seeing that riot was about TO start,
Supt. Downey ordered his men In,
and the line of mounted men and
police came at a rush through Grand
Circus park. sweeping Socialist, spec
tators and all out and away. One man
who tried to get at the banner was
struck by Detective Buhr and knock
ed several feet away.
In less than two minutes the park
was cleared OF all except detectives
rolice and newspaper men and the
Socialists were fleeing In half a dozen
different directions with bluecoats al
their heels. There was no chance FOR
resistance and no weapons were
drawn
Iegare was bleeding when taken %
the station. having received blow on
the mouth
81 told them that they could carry
any national flag that they wished
but could not carry the red nag,
said Supt. Downey in explanation
Most of this trouble is due to law
ycr who stirred them up to this oe'
monstration."
one of the most brutal instances OF
tho afternoon occurred on Broadway
after the crowd had been dispersed.
one man went back Ia. the park 10 ma
bis little boy. The police spied mn,
and six of them started after him. and
hustled him down Broadway on tne
ran. The police followed. six OF them,
heating him on the head with clubs
and across the back with the leather
thongs attached tn their clubs. INC
crowd shouted In Indignation. but the
,,oi,ce were 80 completely beyond con
trol that they continued To beat tho
man until Capt. Baker caught up with
them and interfered.
some of the officers seemed To lose
tbeir heads i'm The excitement and
vent after innocent bystanders. In.
c,uding few newspaper reporters.
Bertha and Ella Dcnnenwen were
amoug the socialists gathered In the
mark and displayed flaming red
badges
Reporter ho tried TO take the
Girls part were mistaken for riot.
ers" and narrowly escaped arrest.
Joseph Sass, aged S3, giving his ad.