Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-03-07
Conduct an Able Window Break
ing Expedition in the Shop.
ping District.
HEAVY FINANCIAL LOSSES
Policy of Menace to Trade in Re.
venge for Failing to Receive
the Recognition Given
Miners.

London, March 1.--BeCauSe the coal
p1iners had been able to gain government
recognition of their grievances by threat
Sning the business of the country. the
suffra gettes late to-day also entered upon
policy of menace to trade. They acted
suddenly and with an ardor that resulted
!n heavy financial losses, brought con-
sternaton to the merchants of the most
prosperous shopping district of the city
and paralyzed business at the busiest
hour OF the day. The police were taken
completely unawares by the onslaught
OF the women and before they were able
to muster their forces and restrain them
the streets were covered with shattered
plate glass that once had been the show
windows of stores.
It was window breaking expedition
solely, and thoroughly organized one
Hundreds of windows in many OF the
most famous shops OF the world ana IN
several OF the government OFFICES ana
clubs were wrecked by the sufragettes
The damage done will aggregate many
thousands of pounds. The losses now
ever, will not all fall upon the shopkeep-
ers as many Of the show WINDOWS were
covered by insurance against breakage.
One hundred and fifty women were
dragged to the police stations by po-
lice or Indignant merchants. Many
others. however, escaped. All those
arrested were released tonight on
bail coupled with promises that they
would wreck no more windows.
CENTERS IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Some of the shopkeepers who saw
the storm coming were able to close
their shutters and barricade their shor
doors against the Infatuated suffrag-
cites The trouble conferred about
Trafalgar square. where the big
steamship companies have their pas
sengers Offices. the windows of severa
of which were shattered, and ranged
along the Strand eastward and westward
and up Regent street. Piccadilly and OK
ford streets where are situated thu
fashionable jewelry and dry goods houses
Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst. the veteran
OF many n suffragette battle, struck tn
first blow. In an automobile. accompanied
ny Mrs. Marshall and Mrs. Tukes sh
drove up to the premier's residence Il
Downing street at six o'clock this even
ing. The three women quickly jumpe
out of the machine and drew out stone
concealed IN their muffs. The missile
sped through the air and four window
crashed In before the police who are con
stantly on guard could reach the womer
The trio We're arrested. but even Will
Icing led to the station house they man
aged to heave missiles through the win
dows of the colonial office.
PANDEMONIUM BREAKS OUT.
Pandemonium broke out in the shop
ping district at the same time. Taxicab
We're the favoI1te vehicles of approach
used by the suffragettes, and large mum
hers of innocent looking women wer
helped out of them by porters statione
in front of stores There was no hesta
ton on the part of the women once the
had reached the ground, and tho porter
were so bewildered at seeing suppose
customers produce brickS or hammer
and at hearing show windows crashin
that majority Of the miscreants wer
able to lose themselves IN tho crowd
before the guardians OF the shops coul
collect their senses and restrain Their
Those of the women who did not Ills
tax!cabs walked along the street crack
ing or smashing windows with hammer
while crowds followed them cheering q
hooting.
The police were unable to deal Wit
such widespread outbreak and at leaa
niue-tenths Of the window attaokin
army passed through the battle unmc
Tested. The air was filled with sound
~ poNce whistles, yels, the slammin
down Of blinds and shrieks Of frtghtene
female shoppers. punctmted with CHE
81 Votes for women" Whenever a pla,
glass was shattered there the crow
surged. and the employees of the she
were rushed to the street to protect II
show window from being looted n,
even the establishments Of undertake,
were spared by the suffragettes.
POLICE ARRIVE TOO LATE.
SO systematically and quickly was Il
york Of destruction accomplished that
was well over before tho police reserv
could be called out. Hundreds Of ext
policemen are on duty tonight protet
ing the damaged buildings while tho
sands Of sightseers are tramping I
Jireets TO view the havoc wrought by I
'Eomen
Tho ouffrngette leaders declare that
's their purpose to continue their ca
,aign OF window breaking until. like
GOAL miners. they force the gOvernme
10 take UP their claims for suffrage
order to protect business interests.
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