Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-17
That $1,000 Offer

(BoSton Post, Dem.)
Chairman Shaver of the Demo-
cratic National committee announces
that he will COVE one thousand dol
lars to anyone who will prove that
one material fact was suppressed in
the Democratic committee version of
Calvin Coolidge's action in the Bos>
ton police strike.
We certainly do not know of an
easier way to make a thousand dol
lars.
The Democratic statement sup
Pressed not one, but several material
facts. However, as it takes but one
instance to win the thousand dollars,
here it is:
On the afternoon preceding the
night the olice went out Governor
; Coolidge called Mayor Peters and
Commissioner Curtis into conference.
he showed the mayor the law of
Massachusetts, which gives the gov
ernor no power to call out the State
Guard in Boston unless upon direct
request of the mayor. He informed
, Mayor Peters that it would be en-
tirely proper for him to make his re-
quest in advance and that he (the
Governor) would act upon it at once
by modifying enough of the State
/ situation.
Mayor Peters declared that he felt
entirely competent to handle the sit
; Gation. The Governor then told him
, that as mayor he had the authority
J by law to call out the units of the
f., State Guard assigned to Boston with
| out any previous authority from the
governor. Mayor Peters replied that
he understood this perfectly. The
/ police commissioner declared he felt
he could handle his end of the sit
uation.
! The governor then had no option
in the matter other than to depend
upon the mayor doing his duty the
! work of preserving order being
plainly in the mayors hands in case
/ it passed out of the police commits
sioner's. The governor was willing
to assume the authority, but the
mayor was not willing to allow it to
| pass from him.
, In closing the conference, after
being sure that Mayor Peters was
! prepared to deal with the situation.
! the governor told the mayor that he
+ had made arrangements to have
State Guard units from outside the
city, held in readiness for duty in
Boston if needed.
Now the facts concerning this
/ conference. the really vital point in
, the entire case. were suppressed by
, the Democratic National committee.
so when they attempt to show that
, Governor Coolidge lodged his duty.
left Boston at the mercy of the mob
! and only the heroic efforts of Mayor
Peters in selling control of the stu,
ton prevented disaster, they do not
tell the truth.
1t is uncomfortable that ex- Mayor
Peters, who has conferred with the
: Democratic National Committee
about the police strike situation, cid
not tell them the facts of this con-
ference. Mr. Peters is too high
minded man to suppress evidence.
Therefore the Democratic Nation
al committee are the guilty ones
for they have given the country a
wilfu1ly false history Of, Calvin
Coolidge's relations with the police
strike.
In accordance with Chairman
Shaver's promise, we call upon him
to send us at his early convenience a
check for one thousand dollars.
When we get the cash we VIII
donate II &c the David /. Walsh
senatorial campaign fund where Il
Will doubtless serve useful purpose
and do the Democratic party as
much, II not more good, than any
thousand dollars spent thus far.