The Washington herald., 1919-07-23

Army Tanks Held Ready.
No information was forthcoming
as to the exact number of soldiers
assigned to patrol the District
streets. but unoricially 1t was
learned that at least three COM
panies from Camp Meade and Camp
Meigs. fully armed. were on duty
here.
Three army tanks were ready for
service, wherever violent rioting oc-
CURED. but it was unnecessary to
call upon these war machines, loaded
with rapid-firing guns
President Wilson took a deep in
terest in the reports Of violence, and
in a conference with Secretary Of
War Baker. late yesterday afternoon.
approved the plan which the cabinet
officer outlined for the protection Of
District citizens.
Rain Helps Police.
Police Captain Doyle, OF No. pre-
cinct. declared that the rain was
worth more than loo policemen. At
any rate. the provost guard and the
police, as a rule. patrolled deserted
and silent streets, and the hoodlum
element. which had been prominent
in all previous trouble, was missing.
In the negro belts in Seventh street
I northwest and Four-and-a-half street
southwest. the population gathered in
little groups on the sidewalks. evil
! IDENTIFY wrought up over the prospects
OF rioting. but only in remote in
stances were assaults attempted. They
were generally OF a minor nature.
Another fact that served to keep
down further tumult was the abb
sence of automobiles filled with the
curious and those bent upon trouble.
Auto Rioters Missing.
None of the negro rioters who
rode through the city on Monday
night. shooting Unfortunately.
were TO be observed.
The police also warned a number
OF autoists not to go into the Sec
tions peopled by negroes. and in
every instance the advice was ac-
cepted.
The terror which gripped the city
Monday night and yesterday ap-
peared, late last night to have sub
sided. The police had instructions to
keep everybody moving in the down.
town streets. and their task was COM
paratively simple.
In the nOrthraSt Sacfinp of tho rifv
signs had been posted some time yes
terday. reading:
white folks. bettere stay in your
houses tonight if you don't want
trouble"
Negros Stay on Streets.
A fact that helped quell trou-
/ bic was the absence of negroes in
Pennsylvania avenue and other prom
inent streets. The blacks seemed de-
termined to do their best TO stop the
scenes that have been occurring
nightly by remaining in their homes.
After twilight hardly a negro was
seen in Pennsylvania avenue. Hotels
and large business establishments
that had colored help sent them home
in closed automobiles to avoid fric-
ton.
Ban on Firearms Sales.
An absolute ban On the purchase of
firearms by negros was declared by
Washington dealers yesterday. al
though they stated that the white pop
ulation appeared to be just as anxious
to purchase firearms.
While the hospitals were prepared to
treat many wounded, only one colored
man showed up at Emergency Hos
pital for treatment He was Melvin
Austin, 1924 D street northwest, and
was badly cut about the head.
District Commissioner Brownlow at
midnight expressed qualification over
the situation. He felt that man law
abiding citizens had taken his advice
and remained in their homes. as urged
in the following statement:
\ 1T can not be too strongly urged
| upon every citizen that IL is his duty
70 himself and the community to re-
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