The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-08
WILD SCENES
MARK BOSTON'S
STREET PARTY
BootIeggerS Peddle Liquor
in Open as ThrongS
Make Merry.
STAID CITY is AMAZED
Autos Tipped Over; Fists
Fly as Cops Charge
Hotel Plaza.

Bg United Press
BOSTON, Oct. 8.-Revelry attend
ing the American Legion conven-
ton reached it's highest peak Tues
day night and early today when
thousands Of merrymakers ran wild
through Boston's streets in an
unscheduled demonstration which
rivaled that of Armistice day.
Parked automobiles were tipped
over, bonfires blazed throughout
the downtown district, motor cars
were deluged with paper fragments
which Uttered the streets follow
ing Tuesdays Legion parade, and
many false fire alarms were
sounded.
From the upper windows of Hotel
Statler, Legion headquarters, scores
OF pals of water we're dumped on
motorists and pedestrians far be-
low. Police who gathered beneath
the windows to investigate also
we're soaked.
Legionnaires Not Blamed
Authorities said today that Le-
gionnaires were responsible for only
a small part of the horseplay, de-
claring that most of those partici-
pating in the impromptu celebra-
ton we're too young to be World war
veterans.
Federal agents who made four ar
rests among bootleggers openly dis
playing their wares to the milling
throng were at one time threatened
by a reckless crowd and had to call
on police for assistance.
The Statler was forced to lock its
doors, even to guests for time. In
side, merry making Legionnaires
took possession of kitchens. serving
rooms and elevators. outside, po-
lice battled to dispense crowds of
hoodlumS
Police Battle Boisterous
After several minor scuffles, the
police made a concerted drive to
clear the plaza in front Of the no.
tel. Fists swung for quarter OF
an hour before the boisterous were
sent on their way with black eyes
and bruised faces.
Speakeasy doors were as wide
open as those of old-time saloons,
and one ambitious purveyor of beer
set up table in an alley entrance.
Traffic in downtown Boston was
at a standstill until long past mid
night. Armfuls of paper-the re-
mains of the paper blizzard that
hoated down the day-long parade
Flesday-were tossed in motorists
faces. Broken glass was another
hazard to drivers.
Grand Stands damned
Grand stands along Boston Com
mon we're jammed until early morn
ing with men. women and children
watching the hilarity and seeking a
respite from the press of the mobs
in the streets.
Local dry leaders have called on
police to suppress open sales of
liquor on Boston streets during the
convention.
Conditions have been a disgrace
TO our state. our city, our officials"
Mrs. Henry w. Peabody prominent
dry worker here. declared in an adj
dress before 300 church women
Tuesday night.
Police Commissioner Eugene G.
Huffman, to whom Mrs. Peabody
carried her protests, told her liquor
was being sold by bootlegger, but
that when police arrived at the
scene he had disappeared.
AssaiI Red Activity
At todays business session the
legion delegates adopted without
dissent a resolution directed against
the inddious propaganda" of COM
munists, and upholding the work
of the special congressional COM
mittee investigating Communist &C
tivities.
Another resolution adopted urged
retention of the immigration re-
Strictions laws.
A third resolution condemned
'rowdies and hoodlums" who mas
querade as legionnaires. This was
s adopted with cheers, delegates APP
parently recalling the wild scenes
which occurred on BoSton's streets
during the night.