Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-12
'DESERTERS," SAYS
GOV. COOLIDGE OF
BOSTON POLICEMEN
"Cannot Compromise Laws
of State" He Answers Pub
lie Demand for Statement.
DECLARES HE WOULD NOT
REINSTATE STRIKERS
Threat of Sympathetic Genera!
"Walk-Out' Held Off-Calmer
Aspect Apparent Today.

Aspect Apparent Today.
By the Associated Press.
= NEW YORK, September IL
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor,
made public here this afternoon
the text OF a telegram sent BY him
to Mayor Peters OF Boston an
nouncing that he had sent an ap-s
peal to the striking policemen to
return to work.
MP. Gompers said he had directed
Frank Mccarthy, representative Of
the federation I'm Boston. to urge
the strikers to go back to their
posts, just ~ II the strike order
had not been ISSUED at all. and
await the outcome Of the confer
ence called by President Wilson
for October Mt Warrington.
BOSTON. September 1.-THE gov
eminent and laws of the common
wealth of Massachusetts cannot be
arbitrated." This declaration from the
statehouse today was in response to
an incessant public demand to know
the. attitude Of the state toward the
striking policemen and suggestions OF
compromise. 5r.-,-t-
..The men are deserters."- said Gov.
Coolidge. This. is not a strike. These
men were public oficials. We cannot
think Of arbitfating the government
or the form Of law. There can be no
opportunity for any compromise in re-
spect to either. My personal opinion
ID that they would not he taken back
II they yielded, to my view.
In the last twenty-four hours there
Lave been suggestions Of compromise.
with the statement that II allowed to
affiliate with the American Federation
Of Labor the policemen would never
with other union organizations. Labor
leaders have not admitted that they
would make further concessions. At
the same time influential persons have
urged that the governor refuse to deal
HI etrikera tie h %
aEas e ssmha sassss assas e sas
- -. advised him J8s
troops and light the issus tks sbitfsr
end, &.
Asked as to His stand.
The attitude Of the. governor, was
made known to ,newspapermen. who
asked him fatty where he stood on
q the threat Of further strikes being
voted tonight. The governor's state
ment was made in this form.
why does the state object to the
aftiliationt Of the police with the Amer
Jean Federation Of Labor I" was asked.
THAT is something the state has
nothing to do with Internal direc-
wholly in the hands OF the police COM
missioner" the governor replied. s
Would you permit the men to re-
turn with the understanding that they
would form an organization not anil
ased with the American Federation of
Labor?'
You are now coming into the ques-
ton of whether the action Of the po-
lice was. as q matter Of fact, q strike
and whether the mon who left their
places might, under any circum-
stances, be taken back. That, OF
course, is for the police commissioner
alone to determine" -. a-.s
What are the objections to permit
ting them to amliate with the ,Ameri-
can Federation of Labor
These have been stated 30 many
times, that I hardly think. 1t neces-
IL
were stated last night By President
Wilson very clearly. but perhaps I
might once more suggest the primary
objection is that it 10 fundamental
that control Of the government, and
must remain in the hands. Of the
properly constituted authorities"
Apply for Reinstatement. =
Anr1;o,tiopo For ra3nsfo farnn+<h .r.
been made by "a number" Of striking
policemen. Superintendent of Police
Crowley said today.
Officers of the policemen's union,
however, asserted that instead Of los
ing strength they were gaining mems
bers. The union roll now shows 1885
members. it was said. ~. -
Calmer Aspect Today.
With the threat of "a sympathetic
general strike held off by the action
Of the Central Labor Union last night
in ordering all local unions to act on
the proposal at once. thus. giving
alton resulting from the strike Of po-
licemen assumed a calmer aspect to-
day. The reduction during the night
of the disturbances which marked the
first two nights of the strike was a
reassuring feature.
'oOtuiSTo Va ZIG oSoAo 6uoAu WI
tinued In charge of the streets. aided
by the force of volunteer policemen
and such members Of the regular
force as had refused to desert their
posts Little difficulty, was experienced
in bfeaking up the crowds, except in
one or two sections. -
Further, confidence in the ability Of
the authorities to maintain an upper
hand was inspired by reports from the
harbor forts. Camp, Devens and Army
posts in New York and New Jersey, Of
active preparations to send Regular
Army troops here II an emergency
call should be- made
Gov. Coolidge, who was in charge Of
the police. situation today as COM
mander-in-chieS of the armed forces
of the state, had, received assurance
from both the War and Navy depart
ments that any call which he might
make upon the President for federal
assistance would be answered prompt
ly. Military leaders estimated that
$4,000 regulars could reach the city
within twelve hours. -
Total Of Seven Dead.
The death list as a direct result of
the strike, now in its third day. stood
today at seven. Several of the IA
taiities, were due to firing by guards
men into mobs found breaking win
dows'- and footing stores, while two
resulted from efforts OF soldiers to
break up dice games which during
the: first two days. were played openly
in the streets and on Boston Common.
- - H. - Mt L. -