Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-01
Riot Occurs on Floor as 20
Slip In With Relief Plea.
Two Men injured.
POLICE AND FlREMEN
RUSHED TO CHAMBER
Committee Hears Group Demands.
Prisoners Later Released-Del-
egates Join Melee.

ANNAPOLIS, Md, April 1.-Two girls
and eight men were jailed, but later
released. when a near riot broke up the
session OF the Maryland House of Dele
gates this afternoon as a delegation of
alleged Communists from Baltimore
sought to present. a lengthy petition
asking the passage of social inSur-
ance bill and other relief measures for
unemployed persons.
The rioting was described as the first
time an incident of its kind had ever
taken place inside legislative hall of
Maryland Following the arrests, other
members of the delegation were granted
a Commute hearing on their petition
by the Ways and Means Committee.
Flanked by policemen on all sides in
preparation for any other outbreak
which might occur, three members of
the delegation addressed the committee
Members of the Annapolis Fire De-
partment were armed with policemen's
night sticks and pressed into service
to augment regular forces in maintain
ing order They patrolled the corri-
doris of the State House. while the hear
ing before the Ways and Means Com
mittee progressed,
Riot Call Sent Out.
A riot call also was sent to the Bal
timore Police Department for addi-
tional men and several State police
men, on duty at the Bowie race track,
were hurried to the Capitol.
The main speech before the commit
tee was delivered by Leonard Anderson,
co.ored, who threatened to mobilize the
workers and come and take by force
what you have so far denied"
William Lawrence of Baltimore, the
IAI ~
the Jailed members of the delegation.
After the hearing, Attorney General W.
Preston Lane and Speaker Michael
promised that when the entire band Is
ready to return to Baltimore all of the
members who came down will be allow
ed to go back together!
After the first outbreak. Sheriff
Prout hurried to the State House and
brandished revolver in the main cor
ridor as he demanded order
Members of the House joined with
their ssrgeants at arms and other en-
ployes in forcing the delegation on the
floor
Fists few freely during the fight TO
clear the House floor. but there was no
bloodshed and two men were in
jured The members who joined the
sergeants at arms seemed to enjoy the
excitement.
Twenty Slip Past Doors.
The delegation, numbering about 20
men. both white and colored, mostly
foreign in appearance. slipped by the
doorkeepsr and up to the speakers Tos-
trum about Is minutes after the House
convened.
Speaker Francis A. Michel told the
intruders that they could not interrupt
17o Of
If they had petition to present it
would be accepted and read by the clerk.
A member of the delegation, holding
a petition, launched into an grafton,
and when an employee attempted to
take the petition from him he resisted.
Fight Disrupts Proceedings.
Several members of the delegation
then started talking at the same time,
and when they paid no attention as the
Speaker raped for order cries, of
Throw them out 'aoSe from several
quarters of the chamber.
Members of the delegation refused
to obey orders from the sergeant-at-
arms to retire and fought when an at
tempt was made to escort them to the
door
About 25 other members of the dele
CATION who failed to get into the House
chamber milled about outside the cor
ridors, but caused no disorder.
Garry Banners.
They carried signs bearing the in
scriptions. Don't starve Fight" mo
work, no rent" and similar workings
There were two or three young girls
in the group that stormed the corridor
After the House floor had been
cleared a motion was passed to keep
the floor and galleries clear during the
rest of the day of all except members,
ex-members and employees. Following
the passage Of this motion the House
recessed for an hour.
Several State policemen were in the |
State House last night in anticipation
of the arrival of the unemployed dele
cation, but there were, no officers on |
hand today when the unruly group
arrived.
Five Call on Richie.
Following the disturbance In the !
House of Delegates Mai. E. Brooke Lee |
Of Silver Spring and former speaker of |
the lower branch, gathered I'VE MEM |
oers of the group and escorted them to /
the chambers of Gov. Albert c. Richie /
IN the State House. They left a copy |
Of their petition with the chief execu-
tive.
Later the delegation agreed to be
orderly and the members were granted |
4 Commute hearing before the House
Ways and Means Committee. The Sem
ate remained in session during the dis
across the corridor.
AS the battling petitioners and the |
got out into the street !
around the State House, a colored and
4 white man were so badly hurt that
they had to be removed to the An
lapolis Hospital.