New-York tribune., 1919-09-16
orders and killings in Boston on the
shoulders of Police Commissioner
Curtis. The statement follows.

Concerning the matter Of contro-
versy between the Police Commis-
sioner and the polcemen's union, we
wish to state the policemen of Boston,
who are among the lowest paid work
men in the city and the longest
worked in hours per day, desired for
their economic improvement to form
a union to be affiliated with the Ameri-
can Federation Of Labor. The same
has been done by employees in the ire
department, water department, treas
ury department, and score Of other
departments, the employees in which
have their unions affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor for
years past and are and have been work
ing tremendously with the heads Of
| their departments.
THE Boston policemen simply wish
for tho same liberty Of action in pro-
noting their economic interest (upon
which the living Of themselves and
their families depends) rs is enjoyed
! by ali other employees of the City Of
I Boston and the State of Massachusetts,.
They formed union affiliated with
/ the American Federation Of Labor, and
( when they formed their union their ac-
tlon was not in violation of any law
applied to the Police Department or
! " Guy uAcS WltHlU INC department.
The rule the Police Commissioner
charges the policemen with having
violated was not established or pro-
mulgated by him until thirteen days
after the application for a charter from
| the American Federation Of LaTor nao
: been made by 975 Of the policea,cn in
the department, nineteen Of whom the
] &C mmIssioner suspended and has since
! dlschaged from the department for q
violation of 81 rule that did not cxis,
at the time they committed the act
/ complained Of.
The commissioner gives as his rea~
( sons for objecting to the policemen
/ Joining the American Federation Of
! Labor that 1t would create two mas
/ ters in the department and that il
would bring about strikes of the po-
+ licemcn and involve policemen in sym
! pathetic strikes, Notwithstanding the
fact that the policomen's union is en-
tlrely outside of the influence of any
other union and that 20 other union
or officer in the American Federation
/ Of Labor. from President Gompels
down. would or could direct the po-
llcemen's union to take any action of
any kind, the proof Of which they gave
to Governor Coolidge and Mr.. Stor-
row, chairman of Mayor Petcrss cit-
zens' committee, in copies of the con-
stltutlon Of the American Federation
Of Labor and a manual of the organ
izaton, which contains she obiga-
tons taken by the policemen upon
their joining the American Federation
Of Labor: so that the Governor and
chairman OF the citizens committee
could see for themselves that there
was nothing III either the law or the
obligation Of the American Federation
Of Labor that in the slightest degree
would conflict or Interfere with the
policemen diligently ard faithfully per
forming the duties Of their position,
Sought Arbitration Agreement
we furthermore cali 10 the atten-
ton of the officials that, notwithstand
ing the great number OF American Fed
Grafton of Labor unions made up of
government employees IL Massachusetts,
not one Of them has ever been engaged
in strike. We further ca,l their at
tentiOn TO the fact that there would
never be occasion for strike OF the
boston policemens union, rs the union
WAS desirous OF having such an agree
ment with the department as would
provide tor reference Of all matters OF
economic conditions upon which the
commissio ioner and the union could not
agree to d board of arbitration uau-
tually agreed upon, decisions Of this
hoard to be accepted rs final and there
BY entirely eliminating any possibility
OF strike or stoppaSc OF work What
; soeVer.
/ The pclioemens appea. 10 reason
and Tor fairness of treatment and the
application ot american principles TO
tAelr conditions OF employment was
met with suspension and final dis
charge Of their representatives from
employment for no other reason than
/ that tie policemen made an effort to
pursue the same course as is being
pursued by all workers OF our nation
IN their rightful and lawful desire to
bring TO themselves and their de-
+ pcndents as & result Of their labor such
( q return as viii permit them to proper
" maintain themselves, their wives
ana their children in accordance with
/ American Standards
They have met with treatment that
would have brought delight to Ru sian
autocracy in the palmest days OF the
Cars. The policemen are struggling
for right, Justice and Americanism ia
their employment and shall so con
ylnue until victory perches on their
banners.
"Organized labor OF Boston resn,lts
in the strongest possible manner the
efforts OF the newspapers and public
officials TO shield the Police Commits
+ SiOuti iOIi responsibility LOT lnc ilS-
graceful outbreaks OF lawlessness and
loss of life, injury to peaceful citizens
EAd wanton destruction Of property
which occurred III our city last Tuesday
and "Wednesday nights and their at
tenipts to place the blame on the po-
: Ncemen's union
The statement then alleges that the
Pollce Commissioner had ample warn
lng Of the strike and was given sufi-
Gent time to prepare for any con-
trgency and adds that I'VE propose
that the sponsbiity for the disgrace
inflicted Oh our city and the death.
damage and injury suffered by our
citlzens shall be placed where il prop
.rly belongs-opon The shoulders of
The Police Commissioner
v nile tGor leaders were III consul
tauon on the next move to be made by
tnem NJ the controversy Boston's strik-
.ng policemen flockcd 20 the City Hal
-cr money this afternoon. They were
rot calling for strike benefit pay, but
Tor money due them for several days
service preceding their wall<out IN
most cases It was about half week ;
envelope, but the men seemed glad to
get even that Unless they should win
theH fght for reinstatement this Is
fhe Last money they viii ever draw.
from tAe city The men made no coln-
f ment whom they appeared at the City
llau, c4aW.ng their money and depart
ing quietly.
Virtually p the motnen, the locked