Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-15
DRIVE TO REGAIN
JOBSFOR BOSTON
POLICE EXPECTED
Commissioner Curtis Conters
With Union Leaders on
Unofficial Basis.
LABOR MEN SEEK WAY
TO HAVE HIM RECEDE
Extent of A. F. L. Support in
Doubt-Immediate Danger Of Gen
eral Strike Believed Removed.

! By the Associated Press.
! BOSTON, September IA definite
campaign to regain for the striking
policemen the places now officially
declared to have been lost because of
desertion of duty was expected to be
| inaugurated today. The action was
expected to depend upon the result
of a conference between union LABOR
leaders and Police Commissioner Cur
| tbs.
The commissioner, at the request
of the union heads. consented to the
meeting on an unofficial basis, Dut
the labor men said they hoped to OBJ
which might be made the basis OF
negotiations.
Commissioner Curtis conferred for
half an hour this noon with the LABOR
representatives. including Guy oyster,
secretary to President Gompers OF
the American Federation OF Labor:
Frank II. Mccarthy, New England
organizer of the American Federation
of Labor and John F. McInnis. preSl-
dent of the policemen'S union. whom
the commissioner discharged as a
policeman Saturday. The conferees
declined to discuss what occurred
at the meeting.
1t was understood that an effort was
made by the labor men to find some
ground on which the commissioner
might see his way clear to recede
from his stand that the men We're
either discharged or had vacated
their positions. The policemen's
union still insists that recognition of
utilization with the American Fedora
ton of Labor be condition on the
return of it's members on permanent
| basis.
The extent to which the American
Federation of Labor would support
the fight for reinstatement and rec
ignition as a union was in doubt today
Immediate danger of general strike,
threatened by the Central Labor
UhioIt. as it's principal weapon in sup
moved by the disposition of the Ia
Dor leaders to move slowly.
Differ as to General Strike.
From New York. where President
Gompers has been directing the fed
iteration's interests in the Boston sit
uation. came word from one of his
associates that there would be no
general strike action. Officers of the
Central Union here. however. said
they knew of no decision to warrant
such a statement, that the proposal
for a general strike was still before
the union and that decision would
come with the completion of a poll of
the several craft organizations. This
poll is being taken secretly.
1t is not complete, several of the
principal unions having yet to declare
themselves. 1t is known that some
of them voted to take sympathetic
action; that others frowned upon it.
and that more cautious unions post
poned action until they saw how SEN
timent lay.
q fn ~ a n
Union adjourned last night without
calling meeting in advance of it's
regular session next Sunday was ac-
cepted as an indication that union
leaders looked upon the fight as a
long one. in which they would take
action only after mature considera-
ton. This consideration. it is under
stood. will include the advice of
President GomperS and other leaders
of the federation, who regard the
fight in this city as centering the ma
tional question of police unions, which
GRAFTON of Labor at its last conven-
ton.
Gov. Coolidge. refusing President
Gompers demand for the removal of
Police Commissioner Curtis, suggested
that the police might have recourse
to the courts if they felt their rights
had been invaded by the commits
sioner's action in discharging the
union leaders and declaring vacant
the places of the men who left their
posts. 1t is known that counsel for
the policemens union had considered
and dismissed for the time being the
matter of calling upon the courts, but
whether the governors suggestion
will revive the proposal is uncer-
/ tain.
Restoration of the city to orderly
r0I1
moval of many of the barricades
placed over store fronts and other
property as result of the looting in
the early days of the strike. The
number of state guardsmen on patrol
was reduced today, but all the troops
were still held in the city, concentrat-
ed at centers for availability as emer-
gency reserves. On the streets in
some sections rifles with bayonets
duce the possibilities of serious con-
sequences in minor collisions between
citizens and the guards
| Preparations of the federal authori-
ties to send Regular Army and Navy
| troops into the city stood as an emer-
| gency precaution, but it was said that
unless there was g, general strike there
was no likelihood of their being called
! upon. The state troops. however, are
| likely to be on duty for some time. as
Commissioner Curtis said he could not
hope to build up new police force
; in day and any letting down in
| protective measures would invite a
| recurrence of lawlessness.
/ In preparation for any eventuality
/ the state and National Guards re-
i cruited briskly. The state guard viii,
be increased by one regiment and a
battalion of infantry and all com
] panies will be brought up to author
lied strength of 100 men. The Ma
| tional Guard, which has had onlv a
paper organization since the return
of the 26th Division from France. is
being reorsan!zed with the view OF
meeting any crises