The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-07-06
RIOTERS IN ITALIAN
CITIES DEM A n D 80
PER CENT PRICE CUT
COST-OF-LIVING DISORDERS IN
FLORENCE INCREASE IN
VIOLENCE

Florence. Italy, Friday. July 4.-Noise
of firing in the outskirts of the city
has increased the alarm caused by the
cost.of,livng disorders here. The red
flag has been hoisted in many places
here and elsewhere in the Romagna dis
trict bv what are termed local soviets.
Carrabners fired upon crowds here
today. Disorders are increasing ana the
ransackng of shops is Widespread
Strengthened by rowdies, the crowd has
abandoned itself to the general sacklns
of all shops without distinction, destroy
ing what il is unable to carry away.
One entire street is flooded with pc
troleum, gasoline, wine, beer ana oliVe
oil.
Wherever the chamber of labor is
able TO exercise authority, goods are
being transported to special warehouses
under the red flag, even tram cars be-
ing pressed into this service. Large
quantities of supplies are being turned
over to the municipality in the Piazza
Signoria. the chief square of the city
Money taken from shops also is being
placed in the care Of the municipality or
the chamber of labor. Thousands OF
boxes of matches are being distributed
free to the crowds.
The only shops respected by the riot
ters were those bearing the inscription:
This shop is at the disposal of the
chamber of labor" The chamber of labor
apparently has become the only author
ity to which the people pay any atten-
tion The automobiles and cabs per
mitted to use the streets must bear
sign reading Circulation allowed by
chamber of labor" The local authorities
seemingly have made no effort to OPP
pose the chamber All the newspapers
have suspended publication because of
strike of printers. The sale of newspa-
pers from other cities is prohibited.
One of the manifestoes issued by the
chamber of labor announced that all
goods which had been sold at prices
fixed by the government would be sold
hereafter at half that price. All other
goods. including medicines, it was or
dered, should be sold at a reduction of
20 per cent from the previous prices.
Bologna. Italy, July 5.-The situation
created by disorders over the cost of
living has been improved considerably
by the receipt of foodstuffs which were
reouisitioned Immediately upon their ar
rival.
Rome. Italy, July 4.-The press today
urges the mayor of Rome not to wait for
the repetition here of riots of the char
acter of those in Romagna and Flor
ence, but to prevent action by the peo-
pie" by imposing a reduction of 30
per cent upon all prices of foodstuffs
and clothing. If the producers and shop
keepers resist, their licenses must be
withdrawn and their goods confiscated.
Commenting on the situation the Tenn
po today says:
THE present conditions are the con
sequence of the failure of the policy of
the government during the last four
years in the diplomatic, financial and
economic fields. Thus, Italy is con-
fronted by the fact that her national
and territorial problems are unsolved
and that her economic activity is in
decay. In addition to her financial dis
aster. there Is a halt in production and
limitation in supplies. She Is worse
than a defeated country"
Acona, Italy, Friday. July 4.-The en-
tire stock of foods and other neces
saries I'm this CITY now are in the CON