New-York tribune., 1919-09-17

announced tO-uAy tnaC tilc IeViN"i ~
the old Massachusetts volunteer mill
tia as "a reserve force Of trained men
to be Immediately available in case the
present emergency becomes more seri-
GUS" had been so successful that he
expected $4,000 men would be enrolled
by next Saturday. A drive has been
made under the agreement that the
period of enlistment be reduced to one
year and discharges given upon appli-
cation.
The campaign has been extended to
nearly every city and town in the state
and the old national guard organiza-
tions which losttheir Identities in the
formation of the Federal units for
overseas service are being reorganized
as the basis of the new force. Most of
the recruits to date saw service in
France. Indications that the authori-
ties expect it will be necessary to re-
tain soldiers in the city for some time
was seen in the plans made at Police
Headquarters. Shower baths for the
guardsmen are being installed.
More Policemen Rercuited
Meantime the recruiting Of new
poilce force continues. The civil ser
wee commission announced that as q
result of the August examinations for
I
bic list containing nearly one hundred
names would be sent to Commissioner
Curtis probably tomorrow The Sep
tember examinations were, expected tc
result in adding 800 more names tc
the list. Discharged service men are
accepted as provisional members OF
the force without examination.
marked decrease in crime since
the state guard took control was re-
ported, but the number Of arrests TO,
drunkenness was said to have been
greater than before. Among the prom
lnent business men acting as traffic
officers to-day was James D. Uender-
son, president Of three banks, who had
a post at congcsted street juncture
III the financial district.
Firemen Issue Statement
The statement issued by the firemen
was as follows:
'The hremen of tn. city of Boston
are now, as always, opposed to law
lessness. disorder and violence in any
form. Statements have been made that
the fircmen would contribute to the
c-lsls now existing in Boston by strik-
ing and leaving their posts in order to
make manifest their sympathy with
the police.
All such statements are absolutely
untrue. They come from irresponsible
sources and are calculated to excite
pubhc alarm and terror. which in the
present situation the iremen of Boston
III common with all good citizens. seek
to relieve. p. A. Kearns, Consumptive
Hospital trustee, and Victor A. Heath
are quoted in the newspapers as saving
that 80 per cent of the fremen have
voted to strike in sympathy with the
ponce. This statement is absolutely
false. WV y
"No strike votes has been taken by
the prlvates in the Fire Department
NO actlon has been agrcd on, nor will
any action which will involve the fire
men IN the strike be agreed upon.
Labor Does Not Want Strike
The representatives of labor in
Boston have not suggested that the
hremen strike. On he contrary, hey
90 not want the fremen to strike; they
have urged that they do not strike. and
IN tins attitude they are in complete
harmony with the sentiment which
perVades the whole community that a
strike Of the fromcn would be a calam-
lty not even to be thought Of
'Thc position Of the firemen is this:
The firemen Of Boston are organized u
Local Union - oil INC international
Association of Fire Fighters. There 5
prov !slon IN the constitution Of this
ASSOCIATION which provides as follows:
shall be deemed inadvisable tc
strike, or take active part in strikes
as our position is different from that
OF most organized orkers. as we arc
formed to protect the lives and prop
erty Of the communities in case Of fire
Or other serious hazards.'
Seeks to Allay Fears
This position We shall keep. Or
ganized labor and its representative.
have no. sought TO change that posi-
ton. and we make ths statement Sc
1 at the public may know Just wher,
tae tircmeA stand Ii it tends i'm an,
Way to allay fears Or firemen's STRIKE
We want to emphasize it, IN large
letters.
1--WE have been co-workers with the
ponce We have stood shoulder tc
shoulder with them in protecting live.
and property Of the people of Boston
We know more than those who con
demn them so readily, Of the WORKING
CONDITIONS of the police. and we know
that they have sought to better thos.
conditions. Mer who work as thcv arf
wa do have better angles Of iuelglnen.
OF human acts than those who visi
Judgment IN resentmcnt and passion il
times Of public excitement.
calm and careful survey of pres
cut events, when it is made. as un
doubtediN it viii be made. will tax,
the human element into consideration
with reference to the Boston polio,
and their strike. We ask considera
tlon by the public and public Officials
lof the pollcemen, fathers of families
VINO suffer IN the loss of wages"