The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-09-10
RIOTINC BREAKS
ANEW IN BOSTON
Mob of Several Thousand At
tack Volunteer Policemen.
Firemen May Quit.
OFFICERS SEVERELY HURT

Boston, Sept. 10.-Rioting broke out
afresh in the police strike here to-
day. A mob of several thousand per-
sons attacked three volunteer police
men and then the disorder could not
be Quelled. Three officers were Sc
yerely beaten.
A strike of the city fremen is
threatened. President Daniel Looney,
of the firemen's union, said today
that the firemen believed the police
union should exist and what labor
demands of us we will deliver"
HoodIums Terrorize City.
Boston, Sept 10.-More than 100
stores had shattered windows today
after a night of terror and rioting
such as Boston never before expe-
rienced, as the result of the walkout
of the policemen yesterday evening
Two men were shot, one probably
fatally.
Throughout the night and early
morning gangs of men and boys
surged through the streets of the
downtown business section, in the
north and west ends of Boston,
smashins windows. pillaging stores.
holding up and robbing people and
attacking women. The promised
volunteer protection did not ma
terialize. Small bands of inspectors
were rushed to places where rioting
was in progress.
Labor leaders admit that the city
is threatened with a general strike IL
the police situation Is not settled
quickly Sympatfeefe-1erroK rs be-
ing discussed by the telephone work
ers, Boston Elevated employees, both
of whom were recently on strike;
stationary firemen and building
trades workers, which would result
in paralyzing all the activities Of the
city.
A special meeting of the Central
Labor union has been called for
Thursday to discuss a general strike.
Rang False Alarms.
Mayor Peters, who had been prac-
tically told by Police Commissioner
Curtis to mind his own business
when he sought to intervene in the
situation, called conference of lead
ing business men today to formulate
plans for ending the strike
The night began with the ringing
of false alarms and the breaking of
Slolt ny gangs VI
boys. 1t rapidly developed into or
ganized hoodlumism, which resulted
in score of near-riots, numerous as
saults and criminal attacks on
women.
The most serious riot in the city
proper took place in the west end,
where the mob; constantly swelling
until it numbered over 5000 bowling
q. h,,I
charged by the inspectors. Finally
a big squad of Metropolitan Park po.
lice, clubs in hand, appeared and
waded into the front ranks. Then the
mob, which meantime had looted a
dozen small stores. turned and fed.
The loot they had grabbed through
the broken plate glass windows, was
dropped in their flight and Uttered
Scollay square. In two minutes the
Met ,politan Park police had cleared
the square, but a few minutes later
the park policemen vanished as sud
denly as they had appeared and the
hoodlums again formed into a gang.
Crap games were played openly,
in some cases to quarrelsome ends,
and in the streets and on the side
walks.
One such game was in progress on
fremont row, within a stones throw
of police headquarters, when Supt.
Crowley saw it. There was a gather
ing of several hundred, either en-
gagged in the game or watching it,
Supt Crowley elbowed his way
through the throng and seized one of
the players. The mob closed in on
the official AS the superintendent
dragged his prisoner towards Penn
berton square, Inspector Michael
Burke went to his assistance. The two
officers stood off the mob until they
reached the brow of the hill where
the mob seemed about to rescue the
prisoner. Crowley and Burke
whipped out their guns and covered
the leaders of the mob, which turned
and plunged down hill.
Even Strikers Not Immune.
Even the striking officers them
selves were not immune from attacks.
In several cases men who had old
grudges against the officers, lay in
wait for them and beat them up, after
the polisemen had turned in their
clubs and revolvers.
Shoe stores seemed to be the special
prey of the mobs. Early today shoes
valued at $S and SO a pair Uttered the
cutters.
Some foresighted storekeepers
stayed on guard at their stores all
night and fired at the rioters who at
tempted to loot their windows.
Mayor Takes Control.
Mayor Peters announced at noon
today he had taken over control of
the police department from Commits
sioner Curtis, a state appointee, and
had called upon state guard organi-
cations to assist him in maintaining
order