New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-09-14

clple that, just as the attempt OF
the unions of Seattle to wrest CON
troll OF the city government was in
admissible, so must the present effort
OF the policemen and organized labor
IN Boston to deprive the city of juris-
diction over its armed force be
frustrated, if for nothing else than an
example to the thirty-seven other
policemens unions throughout the
country.
The state and city authorities are
fully prepared to cope with a general
strike should one be called, and are
ready not only to do everything for the
protection of life and property but also
for the operation Of all public utilities,
including the traction lines and power
plants. Federal troops can be brought
into the city on virtually an hours no.
tice Governor Coolidge to-day re-
celvcd many kilograms from persons
throughout the country approving his
hrm stand and promising him their
moral support. Among those from
whom kilograms were received were
Governor Bartlett, of New Hampshire,
and Booth Harrington.
samuel GOmpers again took a hand in
the situation to-day by sending q tele-
gram to Governor Coolidge suggesting
that the strike be settled on the basis
Of the status quo ante and that the po-
, lcemen be accepted back in the depart
ment. The telegram was a repetition
of the one sent by Mr.. Gompers yes
Coolidge wired the following reply to
Mr.. Gompers:
under the law the suggestions con-
tanned in your telegram are not within
the authority of the Governor of Mas
sachusetts, but only of the Commis-
sioner of Police Of the city of Boston.
With the maintenance of discipline in
his department | have no authority to
interfere. He has decided that the
men here abandoned their sworn duty
and has accordingly declared their
places vacant. | shall support the COM
missioner in the execution of law and
maintenance of order"
At their conference with Governor
Coolidge the representatives of the
Policemcn's Union and the Central
Labor Union requested that the Gov
ernor arrange for conference be-
tween them and Police Commissioner
Curtis.
The Governor transmitted their re-
quest to the Police Commissioner, who
declined to meet them. His reply to
the Governor follows:
VI have the honor to acknowledge
receipt VI your CACellenCyS note TINS
day transmitting the request of Mr..
Mccarthy and others for a joint con-
ference. l am, Of course, willing at
any time to confer with your Excel
lency, but | do not deem it desira BILE
under existing circumstances to join
IN the suggested conference"
This reply, which followed Commits
sioner Curtiss proclamation of the
lockout of the striking policemen,
chnched the situation and placed be-
fore the local labor leaders the ques-
tion of either talking their defeat now
or going through with their threat of
general strike.
Later in the evening Mr.. Curtis re-
considered his decision and agreed to
meet committee Of the strikers and
the Central Labor Union on Monday
mroning. Announcement of this was
made through N. f. Long, secretary to
Govtrnor Coolidge. The note from
the Governors office said that Com
missioner Curtis would meet the union
representatives "in his own behalf
This was interpreted to mean that he
would confer as an individual, and not
In his official capacity. A special meet
ing of leaders of the policemen and
organized labor in general was in
progress this evening.
May Ask Gompers to Como
1t Is expected that the meeting will
issue statement which may clear