The Washington herald., 1919-08-01
Rain Helps Soldiers Bring
Order in Windy City
Black Belt.
FIGHT In STOCK YARDS
Negroes Pursued by White
Mobs and One Is Fa-
tally Stabbed.

Chicago. July a.-Presence of 5000
troops and a downpour Of rain brought
about improved conditions in Chfca-
go's black belt'' today. where race
riots since Monday claimed thirty
two lives and resulted in scores be-
ing wounded and much property dam
age. Two deaths from wounds were
reported today.
So greatly improved were condi-
tions that the city council deferred
Mayor Thompson's plea for 1000 ad-
ditionl police. Reports received at
the council chamber indicated the mi
litia had the situation well in hand
Both whites and negroes received the
troops as peace makers.
Incipient rioting and disorders were
reported throughout the day. but
none was OF as serious a nature as
those Of the preceding days. The
most serious rioting occurred at the
stock yards, where white workmen at
tackled negroes who reported for
through +rPackingtown" by a mob Of
whites. One negro was fatally
stabbed before the soldiers arrived
Adj. Gen Dickson. cooperating with
the civil authorities, began recon
structton work tonight. The follow
fng program was announced:
To disarm the black belt' and the
danger Zone around it. where race
Hottng has been heaviest.
To raise the blockade Of the negro
district and get food supplies in for
thousands Of negroes said to be in
danger of starvation.
To round up and obtain evidence
against whites and negroes responsible
for disorders.
Mayor Thompson issued a suppIe-
mentary statement today explaining
why he asked for troops. He said he
had been told Just before the call was
issued that unless prompt action was
taken the "black belt" would be razed
by fire.
This report was checked IN and
cided the time had come to call troops
and acted
''Thirty-six fires, all believed in
cendiary. were reported between 7
O'Clock this morning and tonight"
Gov. Lowden announced he had re-
quested Edward J. Brundage, attorney
general Of Illinois, to take prompt
action in prosecution Of rioters As
ststants to Mr. Brundage have been in
the district gathering photograpbic
evidence He used that system in the
East St. Louis riots and secured rnanv
convictions.
'rBIack BeIt- auIet.
Scared and dilapi dated. many of its
Inhabitants bandaged and all frighten-
ed. Chicago's black belt" was calm
and orderly today after three davs
and nights Of rioting.
Practically all fighting. excent occs-
sional outbursts, ceased with the ar
rival in the negro section of soldiers
OF the National Guard. Guardsroen CO
operated with the police.
Desolation greeted the occasional
visitor who penetrated the belt. Win
dows shattered doors battered in
bricks and stones strevyn about the
sidewalk. yard and porch marked
dozens OF houses raided BY white
mobs- In many places household FUR
nishings. bedclothes and wearing ap-
parel were pulled out and left in the
street.
No Martial Law.
The black belt was not under mar
tial law. MiIitiamen were called 70
the aid Of police by Mayor Tbon,nI
son under a statute nominaIlv nIsc-
ing troops under city control hut
actually permitting them to function
in their own way. The soldiers wera
called largely to relieve patroImen
who had been on duty almost seven
ty-two hours
Assigning Of troops by zones left
some sections Of the black belt under
the sole supervision Of policemen
while militiamen in squads patroUed
others.