Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-09-12
BOSTON SAFE
FROM SPREAD
OF DISORDER
Unions Delay Action, Or
+ der Is Better and the
Army Will Help.

New York, Sept. -. Samuel
6Ompers, president OF the
American Federation OF Labor.
made public here this alter
noon the text of a telegram
sent by him to Mayor Peters of
Boston announcing that he had
sent an appeal 10 the striking
Fclicement to return 10 work.
Mr. GOmperS said he had di-
TeCted Frank McJarthy. rep
reSentatiVe OF the federation in
Boston, to urge the strikers to
20 TO their posts Just as ii the
strike order had not been is
sued at all, and await the out
come of the conference called
= by President Wilson for Oct. 6,
~, Washington.
Boston. Sept. l2.-The gov
cTTment and laws OF the com
mOnWeal h of WaSsachUSPt.
can not be arbitrated. This
declaration from the state
house today was in response
10 an inceSsant public demand
to know the attitude OF The
sta'R toward the striking pO-
licemen and suggestions OF
compromise.
~The men are deserters."
said Governor Coolidge. "ThiS
is not a strike. These men
we're public officials. We can
not think OF aTbitrating the
government OF the form of law.
There can be no opportunity
for any compromise in respect
to either. My personal Opin-
ion is that they would not he
taken back if they yielded, 10
my vieW.7
Boston, Sept. 12-GOvernor Cool
dge, in a statement characterizinG
he action of Boston policemen a,
esertion Of duty, rather than {
trike, today said he could think o
10 condition under which the,
hould be allowed to return.
Officers OF the policemen
Inion, however. asserted that in
tead of losing strength they wer,
'aiPing members. The union roI
~ shows 1885 members, it wa.
aid.
Applications for reinstatement
ave been made by a mum Der" o
triking policemen, Superintendent
I Police Crowley said today.
Unions to VOte,
With the threat of a sympatheti,
eneral strike held off for the time
eing by the action of the Centra
.abOr union last night in orderi s
ii local unions TO vote on the pro,
Osal, the situation resulting from
he strike of police presented 6
lore favorable light today The re
uctisn during the night of the dis
urbances which marked the first
wO nights of strike was a reassur-
lg feature.
Handle Crowds Well.
Soldiers of the state guard con
nued in charge of the streets, aid
d by the force of volunteer police
nd such members of the regular
1rce as had refused to desert their
osts. Little difficulty was expert
need in breaking up of the crowds
xcept in one or two sections.
Their confidence in the ability OF
le authorities TO maintain order
nd to apprehend criminals was
Sdenced by reports from tn har
or forts. Camp Devens and army
osts in New Jersey and New York
( active preparations to send regu-
IT army troops here if an emerg-
lcy call should be made.
Promise Help.
Governor Coolidge, who was in
narge of the police situation today
S commander-in-chief of the armed
,rces of state. had receives assur-
1ces from both the war and navy
apartments that any call he might
AXE upon the president for federal
ssistance would be answered
Military leaders estimat-
that the $4,000 regulars could
ZACH the city within u hours.
Seven are Dead.
The death list as a direct result
the strike. now in its third day,
ood today at seven. Several of the
.talities were due to firing by
lardsmen into mobs found break
e windows and looting stores,
hile two resulted from efforts Of
,Idiers to break up dice games
hich during the first two days
ere played openly in the streets
Id on Boston Common. Among the
,ad was striking policeman
ot down by a stOrekeeper who
ared his place of business was
Iout 10 be sacked.