New-York tribune., 1919-09-10
Patrolmen Garry Out
Strike Threat, Backed
by Unions Promise
of General Tie-U %
500 Volunteers
Given Weapons
Crowds Break Windows
in Stores; Banks Oh.
tain Ex-Soldiers' Aid

BOSTON, Sept. 9.-Mob violence,
which chiefly took the form of window
smashing and theft from store win
dows, was in evidence in scattered
sections of this city within a few hours
after the union members CT the police
force went on strike tonight, backed
by the promise of organized labor for
(. city-widc tie-up.
Near the corner Of Broadway and B
Street, South Boston, crowd of men
and boys broke number of windows
n stores. Superintendent of Police
Crowley, with inspectors and Metro
politan park policemen, hurried over
to the district. On their arrival the
stone throwing stopped. Inspection of
the stores indicated that some articles
had been stolen from the show-win-
dows. Witnesses of the disturbance
SAID that 1T appeared to have starte d
as gang fight.
Windows Are Broken
a few windows were broken in the
dudley Street police station, in the
RoHbury district, and in stores in the
west ar d South ends and in the retail
district near Scollay Square
More window smashing was done
about midnight and considerable prop
crty was stolen from small stores. In
Court street crowd which had gath
cred aftc" false alarm of fire broke
In the show windows of several small
tablisnments and helped themselves
to articles on display. An army truck
with police inspectors and metropoli-
tan lark patrolmen was rushed to the
scene, and succeeded in scattering the
crowd after firing few shots in the
air.
About a dozen windows were smashed
III Washington Street, in the heart of
the business district, and in Avery
Street, near Washington, several more
were broken. In all three instances
goods were stolen. The hoodums ap-
peared to be especially partial to
shoes and clothing which were OH dis
play.
Crowds Jeer Policemen
Policemen, apparently without dis
tlnctlon as to whether they were union
members, were jeered and followed by
crowds, largely made up Of boys, when
they left their stations. Near one of
the EoNbury stations boys pcilcd the
patrolmen with mud. Men in one of
thssc crowds, which was following two
IN their attitude, but when the SER
gcants drew their revolvers the crowd
moved away.
1t was estimated that about So per
cent Of the policemen joined in the
strike. The streets were guarded TO-
might BY sergeants and higher officers
oil the department, assisted by state
police and metropolitan park police.
The volunteer police force which has
been recruited in the last few days
Will go on duty tomorrow morning. A
few of their number able to operate
automobiles were held at police sta
tions tonight for use in case of emer-
gency calls.
No move had been made tonight
toward calling out members Of the
State Guard for police duty The sec
retarics of both Governor Coolidge and
Mayor Peters intimated that no such
action was likely for the present.
Volunteers Guard ROxbury
In the West Roxbury district about
2co citizens held meeting to discuss
nelghborhood protection and formed q
volunteer police force of their own
Thirty men, mostly former service
men, joined this force, and their ser
vices We're accepted at the district
police station.
In the Roxbury district some one
placed an obstruction in a street rail
way switch. AS a result a car was
derailed and traffic was tied up fol
some time, but no one was hurt.
The striking patromen held a meet
ing tonight at the headquarters of the
carmen's union. 1t was said they
were discussing the method of con
ducting the strike, but nothing was
made pubic as to the proceedings.
Police Commi ssioner Curtis, whose
the force for joining the union pre-
cipitated the strike. had no statemen mt
to make tonight.
No action toward starting any SYM
pathetic strikes had been taken to-
night. number of labor unions, how
ever, have previously voted to adopt
this course, if considered necessary
in support of the police.
Volunteers Are Armed
Several hours before the strike wen,
into effect it was known to the au.
thorlties that it could not be ayerted
Preparations were hastily completed
for carrying out emergency measures
f~' the protection of life and prop
erty. Superintendent of Police Grow
ley said that more than 500 men hac
been recruited for volunteer police
force
The volunteers, the Superintendent
said, had been sworn in as special Off
GERS, and when called for duty woulc
be equipped with badges and revolver.
and those on night service would bs
gwen clubs. For several days former
superintendent Pierce, assisted by po
lice captains, has been instructing tht
volunteers in police duties.
All the ablebodied men among the
two hundred retired patrolmen were