The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-06
CITY POLICE
Use CLUBS TO
HALT RIOTERS
Clash at TomIinSon Hall
Results in Arrests of
Two Leaders.

indianapolis police, defending
Tomlinson hall, had their first ac-
tual clash this morning with a
few Communists leading a throng
of unemployed.
In a brief melee, in which fists
and nightsticks were used, a dozen
police beat back leaders of the
crowd and arrested two, one OF
them, Theodore Luesse, 26, of 933
South Senate avenue, the chief of
local agitators against capitalism. y
Luesse and Joseph Bertiaux, So
of 826 Broadway, were charged with
melting to riot. and are held in
city prison in default of $1,000
bail.
More than $50 unemployed, 60
per cent of whom were Negroes
gathered on Statehouse lawn at Z
a. m. to hear Luesse, Bertiaux, j
c.. Moon, a Negro Red, and other
members Of the Young Communists
League in addresses that endured
more than an hour.
Start Toward Hall
Police under Captain Ed Helm
we're ranged in front of the state
house to prevent them from enter
ing.
Lets go where it's warm" one
of the leaders shouted, and, in file,
the crowd moved east toward Tom
linson hall, which was locked.
At Delaware and Market streets
the crowd haf grown to more than
800, most of whom we're bystanders
attracted by promise Of trouble.
Sprinkled throughout the cara
van we're many banners, directed
against capitalism and starvation.
ITO He'll With Your Lousy Char
itieS," one read.
Down With Capitalism"
Deliver Us From Starvation!"
Long Live Communism"
Bear Communist Insignia
Most of them bore the insignia
of the International Labor Defense,
Communistic organization.
At the head of the parade
marched Luesse, Moon and other
leaders. Moon was dressed fam
tastically in a dark blue uniform
resembling that of hotel bellboys,
and his head was topped by a scar
let fez with a flowing tassel.
Il didn't know just what kind OF
parade this was going to be, SO
1 didn't know what uniform to put
on" he explained.
At Tomlinson hall the mob found
Captain Helms squad of police
guarding the door. Luesse shouted:
Follow me! Well take the state
house and We'll take Tomlinson
hall"
LueSSe Hit in Nose
AS they Surged toward the door,
the police Gordon braced to meet
them. Luesse was hit in the nose,
and police swung right and left to
clear the crowd away. Captain
Helm arrested Luesse, and other po-
lice captured BertiauX.
Sergeants Arthur Huber, Ed Wise,
and Charles Hodges were in COM
mand under Captain Helm.
A patrol wagon was called to take
Luesse and BertiauX to city prison.
MY twenty eighth ride" Luesse
told a policeman.
The majority of the crowd dis
persing, about 200 scattered in the
vicinity, their banners abandoned in
the streets in the rush on the
auditorium.
Allowed to Use Hall
Police Chief Jerry Kinney, after
the fight. said they might use the
hall until noon, but explained that
when they rushed the building they
had not been given permission to
use it, and the door was locked.
A delegation of Communists Mon
day appeared before Criminal Court
Judge Frank p. Baker and asked the
use of his courtroom for a meeting
at which a thousand were expected.
He granted permission as far. he
told them, as his authority ex-
tended, but in conference today
with Auditor Harry Dunn and
County Commissioner George
Snider, the permission was rescinded.
at roll call this morning twelve
traffic police we're held as reserves
in case they we're needed to quell a
riot.