Evening star., 1949-09-11
Head Of State Police
Says Robson Sought
To Create Trouble
By the Associofsd Press

BY the ASsoeiofed Press
ALBANY, N. Y, Sept. 10.-The
head of the State police declared
in a report released today by Gov.
Dewey that the Paul Robson con-
cert last Sunday was held for the
purpose of creating a breach of
the peace"
Supt. John A. Gaffney. who di-
rected State police operations at
the Negro baritone's concert near
Peekskill, was among three Off
cials who submitted reports to the
Governor. Reports previously re-
leased by Gov. Dewec were from
George M. Fanelli. Westchester
County district attorney, and
Westchester Sheriff Fred w. Rus
coe.
James c. Hagerty, Gov. Dewey's
press secretary, said that the Gov
ernor would comment on the re-
ports either Monday or Tuesday.
The Governor is spending the
week end at his Pawling Farm.
Mr.. Gaffney said that every
effort was made by police officers
assigned to the meeting to fore
stall acts of violence and disor-
der" which might have involved
the $4,000 concert-goers and the
1900 protesting veterans who
paraded nearby.
Mission Held Successful.
Mr.. Gaffney said that the police
mission during the concert and
parade was successfully per-
formed"
The meeting was held delib-
erately to create an incident or
breach of the peace Mr.. Gaffney
reported to the Governor.
THE right of assembly and
free speech by the two conflicting
groups were preserved" he added.
Mr.. Gaffney blamed stoning of
buses and cars, which occurred
after the concert, on irresponsible
groups, who for the most part were
out Of the range of effective police
forces"
At the conclusion of the parade,
Mr.. Gaffney said. many of the
marchers and their sympathizers,
contrary to the appeals of their
leaders, including .nany teen-age
youths, remained in the area.
This contributed" he said, Ito
the confusion and trouble when
fha veoofiyo0 hroHa I'm ~
904 Police on Duty.
Mr.. Gaffney reported that 220
State police-"more than rs per
cent of our total force"-were on
duty at the concert, supplementing
police from 20 cities, towns and
villages of Westchester County.
Mr.. Fanelli said in his report that
a total of 904 police officers were
on duty.
Mr.. Gaffney related to the Gov
ernor that those in charge of the
Robson concert apparently
made provision to police and pro-
tect their gathering with an Or
ganized, highly disciplined force
Of $500 men,"
At no time before or during the
concert. Mr.. Gaffney said, did
police attempt to "disarm or dis
turb" the Robson security
guards"
But, Mr.. Gaffney added, a re-
quest was officially made to their
chairman for the guards" TO dis
pose themselves" of baseball bats,
pop bottles, stones and other
weapons"
Stones Found in Cars.
Mr.. Gaffney said the request
was complied with "only as far as
a few baseball bats were con-
cerned."
The State Police superintendent
said that cars filled with Robson
guards" the last group to leave
the concert, were reported headed
for a place where some stones
were being thrown.
Mr.. Gaffney said:
They were stopped by a detail
of police, who found the floors
of many cars covered with stones.
Many of the guards also had
baseball bats, clubs and other
weapons in their cars. After the
weapons and stones were removed
from the cars, the guards were
permitted to return to their cars
and left the grounds"