The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-09-01
Committee Reported

business men, bankers and profes-
sional men, and belonging largely to
the Republican party, reported:
by Thursday morning, Sept. II.
order had been generally restored in
the city On Thursday afternoon,
Sept. Il, Governor Coolidge assumed
control OF tho situation as indicated
by his proclamation Of that day"
Before reaching this conclusion,
the citizens committee made a com.
plete chronological record Of every
phase Of the strike from the time
it was first threatened. on Aug. 27,
1919, TO the settlement on the morn
ing Of Sept. II.
The Governor of Massachusetts
controls the Boston police force
through his power to appoint the
| police commissioner.
Not Interested
From Aug. 81 TO Sept. 3. Gov
crnor Coolidge manifested no inter.
est in the strike situation. A com
mIttee Of citizens, working in con
junction with Mayor Peters. had at
tempted to negotiate with the Gov
error through his appointee, Com
missioner Curtis, but without
success.
Finally, on Sept. 3, the committee
called on the Governor and were in
formed that Mr.. Coolidge would take
up the matter through the commits
sioner.
From Sept. 70 Sept. S. attempts
were made 10 work out a plan of
settlement. The citizens committee
and the mayor We're in fun accord.
but had difficulty with Commissioner
Curtis.
The chronological record from
Sept s 70 Sept II. tells the rest Of
the story.
Told by Dates
Sept. S--After Mayor Peters at
tempted 10 communicate with Gov
ernor Coolidge in order to present
the plan Of settlement. bur failed to
obtain an audience He then mailed
the plan to Coolidge and Published
an announcement so that public
might know It had beeen put up to
the Governor.
Sept 8-After repeated attempts.
citizens committee finally obtained
conference with Governor late IN
day. and urged him to call out State
guard at once,
Sept 9--Coolidge informed Peters
formally he had no authority to in
terfere. Peters made public state.
ment that he regretted Coolidge
neither approved plan nor offered
alternative for settlement.
Sept. 9-Mayor Peters and com
mittee saw Curtis. Curtis said he
had situation we'll in hand. that he
did not need State guard and did
not want It.
Sept mayor and committee
saw Governor and pleaded for State
guard. but no action taken by Gov
ernor.
Sept. 9--same evening. rloting
began and some robberies reported
and disorder threatened.
Sept. 10-Curtis dug up old
statute giving city official the
authority to call out troops in that
jurisdiction once necessity arose.
Curtis called on Peters to take action
and withdrew himself and his
authority from picture. Mayor
Peters assumed responsibility and
authority and called out troops.
Sept. 10-Mayor Peters demanded
Coolidge cab out additional troops.
Curtis replied by merely acknowledg-
ing request and again asserted his
retirement from authority. Coolidge
responded that he was awaiting any
further call for troops.
Sept. 10-Peters called for ad-
ditional troops for Sept. 10, at 5
o'clock.
Sept. 11-Thursday - Order res
stored and city tranquil Thursday
afternoon. Coolidge called out State
guard. The report Of the citizens
committee:
BY Thursday morning. order had
been generally restored In the city.
On Thursday afternoon, Sept. II. the
Governor assumed control of the
situation as indicated by his pro-
clamation Of that day"