The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-09-17
Governor Of Massachusetts
Flatly Re fuses to Reinsta.e
Strikers
GoMpERs''PLAN REJECTED
BY BOSTON OFFICIALS
Governor Coolidge Endorses and
Sustains Course Pursued By
Commissioner Curtis

Boston. Sepi. Determination TO
defend the sovereignty OF Massaclu-
set.s'' was expressed by Governor
Coolidge in {, telegram sent tonight to
Samuel GcmperS president OF the
American Fedora ton OF Labor. The
telegram vas in reply 10 one received
from the labor leader last night in
which Air. Conipers asked him 10 take
!" d bread view" CT the situation
brought about By the policemen's 5
strike.
The governor told AIr. Gompers that
the suggestion OF President Wilson
HAT orders forbidins the policemen
OF the city OF Washington To affiliate
with the. american Federation Of La
5cr be held III abeyance pending the
labor. conference 10 De held at the
White House, ora- -Gefo~e Gia not
apply to Bosom as TIE Washington
po4 > mad rerlaneG cn duty. 2eiter-
atm. the fact dat 10 members Of the
Boston pcl;cei ilens union had been
tried for violation cf the order against
a!li:iation and had been removed and
.ha: the placls Of the other strikers
had been declared vacant, he added:
Il can suggest no authority outside
the courts 70 take further action"
The sovernb br's telegram follows:
Replying TO your telegram, ! have
already refuss5 to remove the police
commissioner of Boston: did not ap-
point him. He can ASSUME no posi-
t;o,, +i,o oo,,rfS u.o,,ll ,,,,b O1f
except what The people have by tho
authority OF their law vested in him.
lie speaks onsy with their voice. The
right OF the police oiRoston TO af-
;; hIia,e h4s always b ''tt5aysclonsd
sever gsa z t : tohioited. Tha
Suggestion OF PRESIDENT Wilson t.
Washington Goes not apply to Boston
There The police have remained or
duty. Here the policenl lens union left
their duty. an action Which president
Wi'scn characterized rs a crime
against civilization.
J Your assertion that the commits
sioror was wfong can not justify the
wong OF leaving the City unguarded
That furnished the opporunity; tho
criminal eleHlfnt furnished .!lo acton
There is no riEh1 20 striAe against III
public safety, by anybody, anywhere
at any time.
You ask 4r.a1au1ak pablic safety
again be plac& o. s2ads of these
same i;oliceloM while they continue
IN disobcya.ia CT the l. ;sw: OF Massa-
chusetts and gn Their refusal 20 obey
1.-THE orders OF the police department.
Nineteen mem have been tried and re-
movd. Others having abandoned ;hei;
duty, their places have hinder the law
been ceclaredivacant in the opinion OF
the attorneylgeneral can sugges
no authority outside the Eourts to take
! further action
Il wish to Join and assist in taking
:: broad viow,of every situation. y
grave responsibility rests on all OF
rs. You can depend on me 10 sup
port YOU in every legal action and
sound policy. l am equally dctermin-
cd 10 defend the sovarei ignty Of Mas
saclusetts and 20 maintain the author
ity and jurisdiction over ker public Of
hcers where it has been placed by the
constitution and laws of her people"
The p3l;cemen'S union hnade no an
nounccment as TO how it WAS planning
10 meet Commissioner Curtis refusal
20 reinstatc the strikers. who had
voted TO return 70 work ii the depart:
ment's orders against atfiliat;on were
not enforced pending the White
House conference. Many other icc:,'
unions voted today and tonight Oh the
/; question Of striking in sympathy With
the police. The ballots will be count
ed by d committee Of the Central La
bor Union which has been empowered
20 set a date Cor general strike i
the votes OF tn" different locals "a
vor such action.
Frank II. Mccarthy. New England
organizer OF the American Federation
of Labor. who has been advising he
policemoas union leaders. conferred
~:i;h MI Gomlb bers in New York today
He returned TO this city tonight
OIL FIRE is