New-York tribune., 1919-09-11

ternoon. The business men were re-
assured, however, by statements that
had been current for several days that
volunteer force was being rapidly or
ganized, and that the police commits
sioner and the higher officers of the
regular force were prepared for event
ualities. Last evening the banks and
larger business houses took special
precautions, but smaller dealers trust
ed to the improvised police force.
For some reason not publicly ex-
planned, the volunteer policemen were
not called out until this morning, with
the result that throughout the night
the city virtually was at the mercy Of
mobs. Exact figures Of the damage
done could not be had because of the
absence of the usual police reports.
Superintendent of Police Crowley esti-
mated the monetary loss roughly at
100000. An estimate Of the stores,
the windows Of which were broken in
and the stocks looted, was 800.
Lawlessness Grips City
Scarcely district in the city failed
this morning to show evidences of law
lessness. In some instances trucks
were backed up to stores whose Win
dows had been smashed and deliber-
ately loaded with loot. Numberless
persons were robbed. Dice games for
varying stakes were boldly opened in
the streets, and on Boston Common,
where professional gamblers found men
with money. One man on the Common
had just pocketed gains of 5000 when
he was knocked in the head and his roll
taken.
Unprotected women we're brutally as
q
found refuge in the City Hospital:
Their pursuers forced their way into
the institution, where they were driven
back by officers who had just brought
in man with bullet in his head.
Daylight brought cessation of the
bolder attempts on life and property,
but petty thefts in great numbers con-
tinued and in some cases thieves made
rich haul.
of shoes, valued at $4,000, the prop
erty of the McElwain Shoe Company,
was driven away by thief. In Scol-
lay Square a truck was relieved of it's
load of coal by men and boys, who
took the coal to throw at the few
police officers on duty.
One officer was badly wounded in
the eye. Women were victims in
many cases of h>ose who make a spc-
cialty of snatching handbags. This
work was made more profitable by the
unusual number of women on the
streets attracted from curiosity In
nine out of ten probably were merely
curious. But in every group there
appeared to be few, ranging from the
simply mischievous to the criminally
inclined, who were ready to start
something at every opportunity.
! EXecration of the police and of the
| city officials, who were accused of not
acting promptly and firmly, led to fire.
quent fist fights in which many joined
Countless cases of lawlessness went
unpunished, but the municipal courts
had all the business to which they
could attend. Many persons were
given sentences of six months for riot
ing or because loot was found upon
them. South Boston had the greater
number Of cases, as the outbreaks
there were more frequent and violent
than elsewhere.
After last nights experience bust
ness men were not inclined to take
unnecessary chances tonight The
cial district doubled their guard and
many merchants barricaded their
stores. On fremont Street, fence was
built in front of one block. Jewellers
removed stocks from their windows
and turned on more lights than usual
Shoe dealers, who suffered more
than any others, took special precau
tions, many of them boarding up theil
windows and leaving special guards II
the stores. A great many permits tt
carry revolvers were issued to-day, bu
only to those whose arming was au
thorized by the Mayor. Such of the
city lights as usually are discontinued
at midnight were kept lighted.
Burglary insurance jumped during
the day from Is to rs cents on con
tracts covering "riot and civil commo
tion." All companies writing sucl
insurance reported a normal business
1t was estimated by underwriters tha
burglary insurance written to-day hat
run we'll into tens Of millions O.
dollars.
United States Marshal John
; Mitchell said all government propert,
In the city was under guard.
Secret service men who watched tn,
railroad stations carefully to-day sait
crooks were coming into the city b,
every train. One officer said he rec
ognlzed criminal whom he had no
seen for five years, and that a larg,
number of the crooks were "old timers,
Finish Fight Predicted
It looked tonight like a fight to th
finish. Many of those who made i'm
promptu speeches on the streets ureet
: that the authorities refuse to reinstat,
the striking policemen under any cir
) cumstances and fight out the issue O
whether police officer has any dut,
other than to the public.
President John F. McInnis of the Po
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