The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-06
FOOD TROUBLES
GROW IN ITALY,
SOVIETS SET UP
Reds Take Control at Many
Places and Seize Sup
plies of Eatables.
DESTROY SOME STOCKS
Serious Disorders in Flor
ence and the Romagna
District.
ROME'S MAYOR WARNED
Government Rushes Troops to
Threatened Places, but
Rioters Hoot Them.
DESTROY SOME STOCKS
ROME'S MAYOR WARNED
BY the Associated Press.

ROME. July 4. - Disorders growing
out Of the food riots in the Romagna
district and Florence are increasing
and the people apparently are becom-
ing more disposed to take matters into
their own hands. In several places a
form OF Soviet government has been
adopted.
In Florence the red flag has been
hoisted in several places by so-called
local Soviets, which throughout the
Romagna district are imposing rules
for the collection and sale Of food and
are passing sentences in controversies
All available food has passed into the
lands Of these organizations or into
those Of the crowd.
Cavalry and infantry detachments
reinforced carabineers on guard in
Florence, many OF the units appearing
With fixed bayonets. Striking work
men paraded the streets and shoe and
dry goods stores were ransacked. These
disorders happened in sections Of Flor
ence which were not closely guarded
but to which adequate police protec-
ton has since been given. Some OF
the paradcrs wore red armbands.
Carabineers fired upon crowds in
Florence. One dead and twenty in.
Jured was the total of the casualties in
the rioting.
Strengthened by rowdies, the crowd
abandoned itself to the general sack
ing Of all shops without distinction.
destroying what it was unable to carry
away. One entire street was flooded
with petroleum. gasolene, wine, beer
and olive oil.
Wherever the Chamber of Labor /.
able to exercise authority. goods are
being transported to special warehouses
under the Red flag. even tram cars being
pressed into this service. Large quan.
titles of supplies are being turned over
10 the municipality in the Piazza Sig.
noria, the chief square OF Florence
Money taken from shops also Is being
placed in the care OF the municipality OF
boxes OF matches are being distributed
free to the crowds.
Sign Saves shops.
The only shops respected by the
rioters were those bearing the inscrip-
ton. This shop is at the disposal OF
the Chamber of Labor" The auto
mobiles and cabs permitted to use the
streets must bear a sign reading, "Cir.
culation allowed by Chamber OF Labor u
All the Florence newspapers have sus-
pended publication because OF a strike
OF printers The sale of newspaper
from other cities is prohibited there. One
Of the manifestos issued by the Chamber
Of Labor announced that all goods which
had been sold at prices fixed by the
Government hereafter would be sold al
half that price All other goods, includ.
ing medicines, II was ordered should be
sold at reduction OF 70 per cent from
the previous prices
The municipal and military authori-
ties distributed food at half price
throughout the morning.
The press here urges the Mayor of
Rome not to walt for the repetition OF
riots of the character Of those in Ro-
magma and Florence. but to "preven,
action by the people" by imposing a
reduction OF fifty per cent. upon all
prices of foodstufs and clothing. II
the producers and shopkeepers resist
their licenses must be Withdrawn and
ther goods confscated. II is urged
Goods ReQuisitioned.
A decree authorizing the requisition
OF all goods OF prime necessity was
issued by the Project at Bologna, ac.
Cording 10 dispatches received here.
Military motor trucks were said to have
been put at the disposal of the Bologna
Chamber OF Labor to transport 10 the
city markets goods requisitioned
throughout the district.
STANDARD meals at fixed prices have
been imposed OH Bologna restaurants
The prices set vary from 90 cents te
VI fo9 a meal, according to the class OF
the restaurant
At Palmero thlrty-one of the princi
pal fish merchants were arrested yester.
day charged as "starvers of the people .
ne arrests were made after the mer.
chants were denounced by crowds.
Al Nlterbo crowds attacked and ran,
sacked shops. They attempted to storm
the residence OF the Mayor whom they
charged with failure to take measures
TO bring about lower cost Of living.
At Ancona the entire stock OF food.
snd other necessaries In the city ar,
Low In the control of the Chamber OF
Labor. These stocks have been labelled
with INSCRIPTIONS reading. goods requi
s'tioned and at the disposal of the peo.
pie"
Large contingents OF troops occupy the
town. but crowds met with no resistanc.
i SELLING stocks OF food. The soldier.
we're apFlauded by the people who gave
them ."rt OF the vine stocks requlsi-
toned.