The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-11
LEGION REvEL
DRAWING GAZE
OF CONGRESS
Organizations Lawmakers
Seek Full Boston
Details.
BY LAWRENCE SULLIVAN
Tin,es Sian Cnrresnnndenf

Times Stan Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Oct. l1.-Friends
of the American Legion in both
house and senate vino avowedly are
disturbed by reports from this weeks
national convention in Boston, pre-
pared today to ask officers of the
for detailed report on
alleged rowdyism and street violence
which figured so prominently in
convention news dispatches.
AS first step in his investigation
a legionnaire member of the house
has sent to Boston for copies of
every edition of every local news
paper published during the conven-
ton.
After checking the hourly news
reports with the stories wired to
Washington, Baltimore and Phiia-
dalphia each night, the congressman
will launch private inquiry to de-
termine whether convention par
Elephants directly were responsible
for the street scenes which several
times required police interference.
HOrdes of Hangers-On
Every large convention assemblage,
this congressman points out, at
tracts hordes of hangers-on ped
oilers and racketeers from nearby
communities and, in addition, the
parades and bands tend to assemble
hoodlums from all sections Of the
community as casual spectators.
Friends of the legion explain this
element may prove TO have been
responsible largely for the police
clashes during the Boston conven-
ton.
If their investigation should prove
otherwise. however, they are pre-
pared to press the matter upon the
attention of national officers of the
legion.
Meanwhile, prominent Repub-
lican senator, who is recognized as a
warm friend of the veterans, has
sent to National Commander o. L.
at Indianapolis, bum
die of newspaper clippings reporting
convention week street disorders in
Boston.
Decline to Comment
One IF these reports, from the
first page of the widely read Balti-
more Sun, was headed: 'Four-Day
Spree Marks Legion's Boston Par
ley"
Because the senator and congress-
man wish to conduct their own pri-
yate inquiries before bringing the
matter formally to public notice.
they decline as yet to comment on
the Boston publicity.
In the case of the house member,
it is admitted that private
C m munic ton from Boston
warned him Of rowdyism by uniden-
titled groups-many of whom obvi-
ously were not connected with the
legion convention-several days be-
fore newspaper headlines blazed the
story
In one of these reports, it was as
serted thai gin and whisky were sold
openly to lsgionnaires on Boston
Common.
HoOdIums Run Wild
"Never since the police strike of
1913" said a newspaper report two,
days later, have craps games been
played so openly on historic Boston
Common"
"Hoodlums, taking advantage Of
the freedom of the city extended to
the legionnaires, have been running
wild, tipping over automobiles,
bouncing machines until springs
we're broken, jostling girls and push
ing citizens off the sidewalks" the
report continued.
One hotel manager was compelled
to call The police to stop group Of
patrons from dropping water
bombs" from high windows on to
parked automobiles. The tops Of
two machines were crushed in by
the impact Of large grocer's bags full
Of water.
Mounted polio were called Mon
day night, a few hours after Presi-
dent Hoover had addressed the
legion convention, TO disperse a bois-
ferrous mob estimated at 10000,
which was making holiday in front
Of the Hotel Statler, convention
headquarters.
Vandalism Is Condemned
Evidence Is advanced that most
if not all the rowydism was in no
sense chargeable to the legionnaires
in the, fact that in the convention
in the armory of the
First Massachusetts, Cadet corps,
only one or two of the scores de-
posted to sleep it off," wore con-
yention insignia
The final business session Of the
approved by reclamation
a resolution condemning acts Of
vandalism by hoodlums who took
of the convention to
spread disorder.
Laundry Driver Accused
Clyde Warenburg, p. Of 303 North
Il