The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-10
ROWDIES CLASH
WITH POLICE IN
SOUTH BOSTON
Citizens Buckle on Pistols
as Armed Specials Watch
Over Gems and Cash.
COMMISSIONER TO FIGHT
Police Who Join A. F. of L.
Cannot Serve on Force,
Says Boston Head.
Special DespafcA to TEE Sun.


BosroN, Sept. 9.-Rowdyism. rob-
berry and small sized riots followed the
declaration tonight of the police
strike here, Fulfilling their threat to
walk out should Commissioner Curtis's
findings regarding their Joining the
A. F. of l.. reflect on any members of
the force, the Boston police quit their
jobs at 5:45 this afternoon.
few hours later gangs in South
Boston were reported breaking store
windows and stealing goods on dis
play. Panes were smashed in the Dud-
ley street police station, in the Rox-
bury district, and in stores in the
west and south ends OF the retail dis
trict near Scollay Square.
Gangs in South Boston clashed
with the Metropolitan Park officers,
who drew their revolvers to subdue
the nobs. An army truck filled with
police inspectors and Metropolitan
Park patrolmen was rushed to a place
In Court street, where mobs had
started looting windows after a false
alarm OF FIRE had been turned in.
They scattered the crowd by firing a
voIley of shots -lato..sths air., Such,
policemen as there were on duty were
jeered and followed about by crowds
made up mostly of boys.
The police before quitting turned
over whatever city property they had
in their possession, such as badges,
revolvers, handouts. clubs, &c. In
all some 1,134 patrolmen struck.
Tonight the city Is policeless save
for mere handful of police officials,
including 27 police captains, 2S inspec-
tors of police, Al lieutenants, 130 SER
sesnts and perhaps a couple Of hun
dred special officers. These are sup
plemented by several hundred volun-
teer police, including a number of
prominent citizens and some 700 Har-
ward summer students and varsity
football candidates. The Harvard men
responded quickly to President Low
ellis appeal that they live up to college
tradition of public service by tender
ing their services to Gov. Coolidge in
the crisis occasioned by the strike.
There are also a few hundred metro
politan and Boston health police, as well
as the State police. available in an
emergency. In addition to these plans
are under way for mobilizing the State
Guard should developments make such
move advisable.
storm Helps situation.
Fortunately in some ways the stormy
weather kept pedestrians under cover
and made for light traffic, so the abb
sence OF traffic officers was not the seri-
Gus factor 1t might we'll have been had
the streets been crowded as usual. To-
night the streets are practically deserted
save Tor curious crowds about police
headquarters, the various police stations
and newspaper bulletin boards eager
ior news Of the latest developments and
perhaps hoping for bit OF excitement.
Business men have not only volun-
eered as special police but have sworn
IN many Of their employees to protect
NKen like precautions. One of to-day's
prominent volunteers was Francis Pea
BODY lawyer. one time Democratic can
uluate Tor Governor and severe critic
VI the highway boards handling of the
auto traffic problem. Mr.. Peabody was
assigned to Station Q, in the heart of
tAe business district, and Immediately
asked to be put on traffic duty.
chain OF all night lunch rooms.
Which cater to thousands daily and
which have been picketed for the better
part OF the week by strikers, closed
tner doors promptly at 8 AS this after
noon, not caring to take chances with
The strikers.
The police are determined and conf
ueht They have the backing of the
a; F. OF L. and the assurance that every
Iapor union In the city will be called
uut " necessary to win their strike
among the first unions expected to quit
are the hremen, telephone workers. car
men and building trades.
Tried to Avert strike.
The strike came on the heels of fran
NC nc put futile last minute efforts by Gov.
coolidge, Mayor Peters and Police Com
.uiSs,oner Curtis to avert IL. Earlier in
sss asy the Governor had refused the
request Of the State branch of the A. r.
VI T. that he remove Mr.. Curtis for sus-
haing nineteen policemen for joining
Sis' organization. The Governor said
n1 would stand by the Police Commits
Soher In any course the latter took.
a, commissioner Curtis takes the ground
mat the policemen cannot be members
o., a. the labor body and at the same time
W nve up TO their oath as policemen in
Ou,sr words, cannot serve two masters
ne declared he has tho best OF legal
AaNee in taking the course he has and
absolutely refuses to recede one lot from
oo~tisIsd on ssvsnth Paoa