The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-02
MAYOR GUARDED
BY MACHINE GUNS
Continued from Page u
Of four companies Of militia.
Business Suspended


All municipal business was sus-
pended today by order of Mayor
Armstrong. She proclaimed the ex-
tension Of the new year holiday,
thus closing all city Offices.
Judge Fredericks injunction is
returnable Monday afternoon when
he will decide to make 1t permanent
or dissolve 1t. Gov. Sholtz, implac-
able political enemy ON Mrs. Arm
strong and her husband, whom he
forced to resign as Daytona Beach's
mayor last November. leaves Of
nee at the expiration Of his term
Monday midnight. A new crisis
threatening the same grave conse-
quences as did last nights, was fear
ed no matter which way he ruled.
Coz. Sholtz was felt to be deter
miI,ed to remove the Armstrong
government and replace 1t with one
Of his own choosing. A proclama-
ton Of martial law would suspend
all civil authority, including that
Of courts.
Proclamation Feared
Such a proclamation apparently
was feared by the Armstrong; as
they made no move to relax their
guard, though hastily modified SOL
diers had been disbanded to their
homes. No one was permitted in
city hall or on its lawn. Persons
who approached were challenged
and ordered away. Cots had been
moved in where the guards slept
In relief.
II am determined as constitu-
tional mayor Of Daytona Beach to
exhaust every legal and legitimate
means available to keep Gov. Sholtz
and his cohorts from taking charge
and control Of the city for the pur-
pose Of exploiting It," said the spirit
ed, midde-aged woman who was
named mayor only month ago
when her husband resigned.
Although granting OF the injunc-
ton relieved tension In a situa-
ton that for a time threatened to
cause open warfare in the heart OF
the states winter playground for
the wealthy, Mrs. Armstrong saw to
It that any surprise attack would
be repulsed by her police forces. The
city hall bristled with sub-machine
guns.
Guardsmen DemObilized
Generalization of the National
Cuardsmen was ordered by Adju-
tant General Vivian Collins, a
member of the new commission
which Sholtz appointed TO take over
the city.
"There Is nothing we can do I'M
til Monday" Collins said. This be-
gins to look like long drawn out
affair. There Is little danger OF
bloodshed now"
Trouble started when SholtZ, who
steps down from his office next
Tuesday, ordered removal OF Mrs
Armstrong, City Commissioners Mrs.
Eliza Robinson, Lyle G. Ramsey and
Ralph w. Richards. City Clerk
FRANCIS Mills and City Manager
Milton 8. Couch. He charged them
With malfeasance OF Office and In
competence.
The determined mayor imme-
diately packed the city hall with
the full police force and defied
sholtz or any Of his followers to
move her out. The governor replied
by ordering Collins to mobilize the
National Guard.
Await Next Action
It was feared that Sholtz' new
commission might order dismissal OF
the city's entire police and fire de-
partments. American Legionnaires
hurriedly organized patrols to take
over routine policing duties.
with the city fearing violence,
Collins called out guardsmen here
and at nearby Sanford. Sheriff g.
=. stone, who served the custer
notice on Mrs. Armstrong. said the
troops would preserve the peace"
and disclaimed any intention Of
charging the city hall or engaging
in any combat with the mayors
army
sholtz, . former Daytona Beach
reeident. has an old feud with the