Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-10
Boston Authorities In
able to Stem the Tide
of Lawlessness.
LOOTING OF STORES
GOES ON UNCHECKED
Scenes Approaching Anarchy Ere
quently Observed in the lmpor-
tant Business Districts.

BOSTON, September 1O.-MayOr
Peters announced mt noon today
that he had taken over control of
the police department from Conn
missioner Curtis, a state nppOintee,
and had called upon the state /,
guard organizations to assist in
maintaining order.
By the Associated Press.
BOSTON, September 1O.-Gov.
Coolidge early this afternoon
called out the 18th Brigade of the
state guard, made UP of the 11th,
18th and 18th Regiments, md the
machine gun company of the 14th
Regiment. The troops were order
ed to report to Mayor Peters forth
with.
BOSTON, September 10.-Lawless-
ness was rampant in Boston today.
Without adequate police protection,
private citizens were left to their own
resources to protect their lives and
property.
Since the police struck at 5:45
o'clock yesterday afternoon there has
been no organized police power able to
cope with the situation that last night
approached anarchy, and today APP
peared to grow more serious as the in
adequacy of the makeshift arrange
ments intended to preserve public or
der became obvious to the criminally
inclined.
At 11:15 am. today the state guard
had not been called out. and, SO faS as
could be learned. only a handful of
hi xHav. NAr he l1v,s wi
ment and an indefinite number of
volunteers were making an effort to
prevent disorder.
Virtually nothing of what was pro-
posed at the city hall statehouse
could be learned this morning. Mayor
Peters was said to be I'm conference
with prominent citizens" Gov. Coolidge
was said to be still standing back of
Police Commissioner Curtis. At the
commissioners Office it was said he
had turned the recrditing of an emer-
tendent Of Police William ii. Pierce,
who was busy swearing in volunteers.
City Abandoned to Hoodlums.
Last night the city was virtually
abandoned to the hoodlum and criminal.
For some reason not publicly explained
expected would go on duty when the
police quit, was not called out until this
morning.
The banks and larger mercantile in
situations were protected by their own
guards, but the small retailer was at the
mercy of mobs which included in their
number all elements from the purely
miscellaneous to the downright criminal.
Store windows to a number estimated at
800 were smashed in and goods by the
armful carried away. Police Superin-
tendent Crawiey placed the damage done
during the night at 100000.
Supt. Crowley said this morning
that his emergency force. made up of
a few faithful policemen and volun-
teers, totaled between 600 and 700.
This was less than one-half the num-
Der of the regular police force.
Destruction in Downtown Boston.
Downtown Boston presented sad
picture this morning. The systematic
looting had ceased apparently with
the coming of daylight, but evidences
Of last nights lawlessness were plen-
tifuL On Washington street near
School street the whole glass front of
a haberdashery had been smashed.
Around the corner, on School street.
Walton's cafe looked as il it had been
struck by cyclone. All ten Of the
Walton cafes in the city, where there
is a strike on, were looted.
Crowds gathered early as on holt
day and surged through lower Wash
ington street and the other narrow
thoroughfares of the congested BUSH
ness district. They generally had the
spirit of merrynakers. but there was
something ominous in the steady
augmentation of the idle and the
freedom from restraint
The cross streets with few excep-
tionS were unguarded. The reckless
motor car driver was in his glory and
pedestrians made dangerous crossings
at their peril.
A walk from Boylston street
north through Washington to Court
street revealed only one person who
was making any Fhow of authority.
Attacks on VI omen Frequent.
Attacks on women throughout the
night were frequent and atrocious.
In numerous parts of the city there
were villainous assaults. The vicious
element suffered the most but &C
-cording to reports no woman was safe
in the iittle-frequented districts or
where the streets were not brilliant
ly Illuminated.
Two women were pursued by a
mob and found refuge in the city hos
pital. With a boldness almost unbe-
1ievable the mob attempted to force
its way into the institution and was
only stopped by a handful of Of
ficers who had arrived a moment be.
fore with a man who had been shot
Walkout Signal for Rowdyism.
Rowdyism started almost with the
walkout of the patrolInen last night
Thousands of persons gathered about
the police stations before pm, anC
when the officers emerged in civilian
clothes or without insignia or equip.
ment they were greeted with cheer.
and jeers. and at some stations
youths with grudges against certain
officers threw mud, sticks and stones
These crowds were dispersed by su.
perior officers and loyal patrolmen.
In South Boston rowdyism and loot
ing started early and continued
through the night Windows in Who'll,
blocks of stores were broken ant
their contents scattered. Those wht
could not get near the windows wer,
able to buy rare bargains in wearing
apparel and cheap jewelry from other
who were overstocked.
A sailor in an Avoy street GROVE
carried a fully dressed store dummy
Without leaving the street he tool
of his uniform and donned tn,
"civies," even to the collar and tie.
Some one sold him an expensiv,
velour hat for 35 cents and he de
parted with his uniform under hi
arm. Reports that sailors were prom
7Confinued on Second Page \