The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-12
ATTEMPT AT
COMPROMISE
is OFFERED
IN BOSTON
Governor Coolidge Opposed
Return of Striking Police
Under Proposal of Fedora
ton of Labor.
FATALITIES GROWING
tBy Associated Press)


BOSTON, Sept. 12.-Governor Cool.
idge. in a statement characterizing the
action of the Boston policemen as de-
sertion of duty, rather than a strike,
today said he could think Of no con-
dition under which they should be
allowed to return.
The government and laws of the
commonwealth Of Massachusetts, cam
not be arbitrated. This declaration
from the state house today was in
response to an incessant public de-
mand to know the attitude Of the state
toward the striking policemen and
suggestions of compromise.
THE men are deserters," said Gov
ernor Coolidge. This is not a strike.
These men were public officials. We
cannot think OF arbitrating the gov.
ernment or the form of law. There
can be no opportunity for any COM
promise in respect to either. My per-
sonal opinion is that they would not
be taken back if they yielded to my
view
Concessions Offered.
In the last "a hours there have been
suggestions Of compromise, beginning
with the statement that If allowed to
affiliate with the American Federation
Of Labor, the policemen would never
be called out on strikes in sympathy
with other union organizations. Labor
leaders have not admitted that they
would make further concessions. At
the same time influential persons have
urged that the governor refuse to deal
with the strikers at all and IN the
event Of sympathetic strike by the
flremen, electrical workers, car men.
telephone operators and the building
trades, advised him to call for federal
troops and fight the issue to the bitter
end.
The attitude Of the governor was
made known to newspaper men who
asked him fatty where he stood on
the question Of compromise in the
face of the threat of further strikes
being voted tonight.
Soldiers Of the state guard continu-
ed in charge Of the streets, aided by
the force of volunteer policemen and
such members of the regular force as
had refused to desert their posts. Lit
tie difficulty was experienced in break
ing up the crowds, except in one or
two sections.
Further confidence in the ability of
the authorities to maintain an upper
hand was inspired by reports from the
harbor forts, Camp Devens and army
posts in New York and New Jersey of
active preparations to send regular
army troops here if an emergency call
should be made.
Seven In Death List.
Cno1idUa
charge of the police situation today as
commander-in-chief OF the armed fore
es Of the state, had received assur-
ances from both the war and navy de-
partments that any call which he
might make upon the president for fed
eral assistance would be answered
promptly. Military leaders estimated
that $4,000 regulars could reach the
city within twelve hours.
The death list as a direct result OF
the strike now in its third day, stood
today at seven. Several Of the fatal.
tiles were due to firing by guardsmen
into mobs found breaking windows
and looting stores, while two resulted
from efforts OF soldiers to break up
dice games which during the first two
days were played openly in the streets
and on Boston Common. Another OF
tue uedu was d SII1hluS pOuCGndn SnOt
down by a storekeeper who feared his
place of business was about to be sack
ed.
The action of the constituent bodies
Of the Central Labor Union on the
question Of going out in support of the
policemen was being awaited with
some uncertainty. Although no state
ment was made at the close Of the
meeting of the central body as to the
attitude Of the delegates from the in
dividual organizations had voted II
was known that a number OF them al
ready had given expression OF their
sympathy for the police and some had
even announced their willingness to
participate in a general strike II called
upon. Several of the union meetings
are expected to be held today or to-
morrow. The firemen will vote TO-
night and the telephone operators
union announced a meeting at the
same time to consider matters of I'm
portance." The outcome of the voting
| is to be reported to a special commit
tee of the central body and It was un-
| certain when the outcome would ba