The sun., 1919-07-07
RIOTS IN ITALY
FORCE BIG CUTS
IN FOOD PRICES
Some Reductions NOlun-
tary, Others Only After
Mob Attacks.
so TO IS P. c. SLASHES
Several Killed and Wounded
in Clashes--FIorence's May
or Conducts Sales.
80 TO IS P. c. SLASHES
BY the Associated Press.

RoME, July 6.-Reductions in the
prices of food, ranging from so TO 20
per cent. have been made in several
towns and cities in Italy as a result
o. the rioting and the raising OF the
red flag in protest against the further
continuance of the high war time quota
tons. In some places the reductions
have been made voluntarily to avoid
rioting ard in others the prices were
lowered only after mobs FLASHED with
the police, smashed into stores and
storehouses and offered the contents to
the public at fixed lower rates. Loss
OF life resulted from some clashes
In several OF the places the mobs be-
cime organizations. recognized in
measure by the authorities with whom
they worked in accord in the common
struggle against spectators or profit
GERS, better known as "starvers OF the
people" Representatives Of these or
bor.'' went about their work distin-
guished by red or black ties with red
or black arm bands. according to
whether they were Republicans or So
cialists. They rushed from town to
town and from village to village bear
ing orders and giving instructions for
carriages. carts ana automobiles TO be
used in the transportation of food and
other goods.
Many Of those who resisted orders
were maltreated. Through these meas
ures the Chambers of Labor" succeed
ell in gaining control and forcing the
reductions in food prices.
Prices Cut Voluntarily.
In Rome the shopkeepers decided to
reduce the prices OF their wares without
waiting to be forced to that course by
mob violence. The shopkeepers adopted
. resolution announcing the reductions
''as a high and unavoidable patriotic
duty with view to preventing any con-
hicts between consumers and shopkeep-
ers or producers which would be to the
advantage of parties seeking to benefit
by any trouble No reductions in the
prices Of Injuries were announced here
In Arezzo, Pisa Pistoja, Leghorn, Ge-
noa, Milan and Palermo voluntary re-
auctions also were announced. In other
places the reductions were made only
after demonstrations by the populace
and threats to riot In places where
there have been no reductions outbreaks
have occurred with every indication that
the shopkeepers and spectators soon are
to reduce price,
In Florence one person was killed yes
t>rday and seven injured in fresh riots.
Carbineers who were detailed to keep
order we're forced 10 fre on the crowds
several times. This aroused the nobs
and they again became violent and re
sumed the ransacking OF shops and
storenouses. All workers in Florence are
idle under a general strike order.
Goods of all descriptions were dis
triouted yesterday 10 the people under
the supervision OF the Mayor and the
military command. The distribution was
conducted at each store separately, large
crowds congregating at the places so as
to be sure 10 receive the benefits OF the
new prices decreed by the Mayor earlier
IN the day The decreases In Florence Ia
some cases amount TO 20 per cent.
Confusion Among Large Crowds.
Lack OF organization in opening the
various shops where goods were requi-
STONED resulted In crowds gathering at
many points in the city where there
seemed TO be a chance to obtain food.
The plan followed was for the Mayor 5
commission to open the store, sell every
thing in IL at the new prices then close
II and open another store. the crowds
following from store TO store. This
caused great confusion.
During these municipality conducted
sales however there was no violence.
Scores OF soldiers were needed to avoid
too great confusion by the eager people.
No hostile demonstrations occurred dur
Ing the early part OF the day like those
that took place yesterday.
Tho new scale OF prices put wine,
which is considered a necessary OF life in
i bread
cents a pound. Butter. sugar. meat
and oil prices were reduced one half
by the Mayors decree.
In disorders at Imola and Bologna on
Friday three persons were reported
killed.