New-York tribune., 1919-09-16
Begins Work of Reorgan-
izing Force, So Union
Will Seek Writ of Man
damus to Halt Action
General Strike
Sentiment Grows
Leaders Silent, but Fire.
men and phone Girls
Said to Favor Tic-Up
Spec,1i CORES rordeu~e

Nper,1t torres f'ofderre
BOSTON, Sept To Baked or every
side IN their efforts TO obtain rein
statement for the 200 locked out no
hcemen of this city, leaders of tia
polcemen's union and tho Cei
Labor Union of Boston TO-DAY do
clared their intention or carrying their
fight into the courts. They viii eek
writ of mandamus against Police
commissioner Curtis tomorrow
Instead OF spectacular general
strike as the second round O. the his-
torlc and unique labor battle. BOSTON
and the country at large viii be
treated TO a legal contest unprece-
dented IN American Jurisprudence.
contest the decision in which may rank
on n PER With some Of the most ia
nous judicial proceedings that have
helped 70 mould the development of
American political and economic life.
Decision TO Be Nomentoue
The issue which the courts viii be
asked to decide is whether or NOT or
ganlzed labor. in the process ot ac-
qulrlng increasing power and prestige
can command control over the oroan
lied armed forces OF societu mr.
whether that con,ro: Is 70 renal,
vested in the hands OF government All
thorities
Governor Coolidge, in an interview
with newspaper men. said to-day thai
ne would not grant the request Of local
labor leaders TO remnve Police Com
missioner Curtis or to investigate his
act III acc claring the places Of the strik-
ers vacant. Discussing the respons
blhty Tor disorder on the night 4fte,
the strike took place. the Governor SAID
that he believed he had acted az quick
~ as possible in calling out the troops
rs soon as disturbances were reported
He added:
''Perhsps ! am culpabe in the re
spect. II am | viii take the biame
My present main purpose IS TO supper
Commissioner Curtis n the enforce
ment of his authority 10 MAINTAIN
order
Labor Men See Curtis
The decision of the union chiefs to
carry their fight into the courts, FOL
lowed conference between Police
Commissioner Curtis and representa-
t1ves of the policemen's union and the
Central Labor Union Among those
who attended was Guy Oyster, personal
representative Of Samuel Gompers, who
reached TINS city this morning with
Frank Mccarthy. local organizer Of
the American Federation Of Labor.
both Of whom conferred with Mr.
Gompers In New York yesterday.
The union leaders pleaded with Mr.
Curtis to reconsl der his decision not
to reinstate the policemen and to ac-
cept the plan of settlement suggested
! by Mr.. Gompers.
Curtis Issues Statement
The commissioner turned a deaf ear
to their pleas, and later made public
the following letter he sent TO Mr..
Mccarthy:
Il have heard whatever you desired
to say to me concerning the matters
with which ! have officially dealt and
am required to deal. The action which
nave taken Is the only oar could
take under the law and the obligation
of my office. | shall be guided in
further official action By the same re-
quirements of the law in cverv nor-
tlcuiar. 1t is to be always remembered
that l exercise only those authorities
winch the law Of the commonwealth
has imposed on me- | could not evso
II would, permit any other considera-
ons to control or direct nv actions "
ne conference took place in the
Pol. g Commissioners office. This
leade.s were received as individualq
ana not as representatives of anv or
carnations. In addition to Messrs
oyster and Mccarthy those who at
tended were NJ. ]. ODonnelI, president
or the Central Labor Union, and John
r. Mclnness, president of the police
mems union.
/ Unionists Agree on Action
Following the conference with the
Folce Commissioner the labor leaders
adjourned to copclave Of their own
IN the kimball Building, Headquarters
OF the Central Labor Union, to discus,
the situation and plan their next move,
they were joined by Councilman James
l.. Moriarity and James vahey and
John +: Feeney, attorneys for the Cen
tral Labor Union.
Mr.. Feeney, in discussing the plans
FOR court action against Commissioners
curtis, maintained that the policemen
cannot be blamed for the disorders
which followed their walkout, saving
that they gave Mr.. Curtis ample notice
OF their intention 10 strike. Mr
Feeney produced newspaper clippings
quoting both Commissioner Curtis ano
Superintendent of Police Crowley IA
the effect that they ware prepared "a
handle the situation sKould q strike
IL