The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-03
CALLS GRAND JURY AS FIRST STEP IN
 TULSA RIOT PROBE
Latest Authentic Reports Place Number of Dead at Nine Whites and 21 Negroes.
 Damage Over Million
By Associated Press

Tulsa, Okla, June 2-District Judge Valjean Biddison called a special grand jury today as the first step in an investigation of the Tulsa race riot, which, breaking out Tuesday night and extending well into Wednes- day, resulted in many casualties and much property damage.
 The grand jury, calling of which fol- lowed the receipt by Judge Biddison of a letter from Gov. J. B. A. Robert son, will convene June 8. In his letter, asking that an investigation be started the state executive also asked that the conduct of the police depart | ment and the sheriffs office, which he condemned, be investigated.
 According to the latest authentic report, 9 whites and IS negroes are known to have been killed during the race clash. An estimate places prop erty damage at $1.50O. OOO. All this. according to Gen. c. F. Barrett, com manding the state troops, called here to maintain martial law. was incited 1 by "an impudent negrgo and yellow journal reporter"
 officials Condemned l Representative citizens of Tulsa met today and condemned the city and county law enforcement officials, holding them responsible for the 1 disastrous outbreak. In addressing 1 this meeting, General Barrett stated | that while he wGs ordering the with l drawal of the national guard from l Tulsa, there was no intention to re- move the martial law edict until such ! time as t was shown the city could | care for itself.
 A committee on which Mayor T. D. Evans was denied a place, was ap- pointed to care for the helpless ne- groes, estimated to number more than 5000 and to expedite the work of re- l building the burned negro quarter. l Most of this damage was done by | white criminals who should have been shot and killed" E. J. Martin, former mayor, said after he was selected chairman of the emergency committee
 ''As the final outcome, we must TO- build these homes. see that these ne- groes get their insurance, and get their claims against the city and coun- ty,' said the chairman.
 Nine Whites Killed | final check of the morgues to- l day definitely established the num- ! Der of white dead at nine. Among ! these, most of whom were residents of this city. is Ernest Austin, 39 years old. formerly of Houghton, N r., in which city an aunt lives. Walter l Deggs, manager of the Pierce oil Cor 1 poration of Tulsa, was also num- bered among the dead.
 Five of the negro dead have been identified. Among them is Dr. A. C. l Jackson, shot to death. while running from his burning home. He was one of Tulsas prominent negro physicians and surgeons.
 Many negroes left Tulsa today. The Red Cross offered to provide trans portation for any destitute who wanted to leave. although no effort was made to have the negroes leave.
 It rained today and added to the handicap of the negroes whose homes were destroyed.
 Linemen were busy in the mile 1 square devastated district today re- i storing power and communication wires. The downtown district tonight will be patrolled by the regular po- lice force, according to General Bar 1 (Continucd on Page Threc)