New Britain herald., 1917-02-10
DANCE HALL RIOT
 IS AIRED IN COURT
Scott Brothers Fined for Fight in
 Turner Hall


 in rough house. near the close of q ball at Turner hall last night, James Scott of 1928 State street, Bridgeport, and his brother, Frank Scott of 2S4 North street, this city, claimed, by the police, to be associated with the "gas house" gang, were fined $7 and costs each by Judge James T. MeskilI in po- lice court today for breach of the peace, a total Of s19.26 each. An ap- peal was taken by Judge William, F. Mangan and the defendants were held in bonds of $10O each. Additional charges of assault upon Supernuner- ary Policeman George LaRocQue, de- tailed for special duty at the hall, were not pressed as the few witnesses testi- flying claimed not to have seen this detail of the rumpus. Frank O'Keefe, companion of the Scott brothers. was discharged upon motion of Judge MaEgan as there was no testimony that he was implicated excepting as spectator.
 Differences between the Scotts and the ball committee, the latter backed by Supernumerary LaRocque, as to proper interpretation of modern terp- sichorean figures were the basis of the trouble, it was testified. The commit tee Insisted that the demonstration of Frank Scott with an unidentified wo- man was illegal, obscene and offen- slNe< An appeal was made to Super numerary LaRocque who, after watch ing the couple in question, agreed with the committee and warned Scott. The latter immediately took offense at I.a- Rocque's edict to cease his offensive dancing and the trouble followed.
 According to LaRocque, whose con- duct, according to eye witnesses who were not present in court, showed eX- cellent judgment as a representative of law and order, the Scotts not only ver- bally assailed him but, at least, one of them hit him several times in the face. He admitted that he was sur rounded by a crowd of companions of the Scott brothers, who joined with them in attempts to prevent him from doing his duty, struck him and .other- wise interfered with him. One of the musicians came to his aid with flute or some other muscal instrument using it as a weapon to force his way to LaRocque's side. The patrol was called from headquarters and, with the aid of regular officers, the Scotts and O'Keefe were arrested.
 An attempt was made by the accused to irsinuate that the trouble was start ed by LaRocquc and founded on a for mer experience of the compliments. An attempt was also made to accuse LaRocque of former conduct urbe- coming an officer According to the report of Chief of Police William J. Rawlings after court, IIaRocque has an excellent record as a policeman and reports coming to him indicate that he used excellent judgment at the hall.
 Tt was irony, says an eye witness, who was not summoned to testify, "that the trouble started just as the orchestra was about to strike up the farniliar strains of Home, Sweet Home"
 It was a small riot with Policeman LaRocque attacked in cowardly manner by a gang of young men with whom he had previously been expostu- lating over dancing demonstrations that had brought down the condemna- tion of many on the floor. For several minutes the fight waxed furious, at tendants and bystanders entering the fight. Much credit should be given to Edward J. Lynch, leader of the or chestra, for a share in quelling the dis turbance. Realizing the situation. he led the orchestra into lively air and succeeded in diverting the attention of some of the combatants.
 Policeman Attacked From Rear.
 The fight started suddenly and as as an explosion of pow der. Several men and women had been warned by Policeman LaRocque at the request of the Musicians Union committee, to cease certain dance figures they were illustrating. had occasion to warn Frank Scott per- sonally. James Scott came to his brothers assistance and. at first, tried to quiet Frank and to appease the of f1cer.
 There was a sudden scuffle and the erstwhile peacemaker's fist shot out. striking the policeman on the mouth. An incipient riot started instantly. The two original offenders returned to the fight and other of their friends in the hall, made brave and bold by the fact that the policeman's back was turned and he was already battling with two men, valiantly attacked him from in back. A member of the Musicians Union entered the fray armed with a music rack. He wie!ded one blow be- fore he was put to rout. Tom Dyson, q member of the Musicians commit tee. rushed to the officers aid and the mob of fighting men surged across the nall room floor, men falling on all sides. Officer Larocque stuck with the fighters, landed & solid punch occa- sionally and, in addition to keeping his feet. despite the general attack, succeeded in holding onto the man