Evening star., 1949-09-15
Dewey Orders Inquiry
By Grand Jury Into
Peekski|| Rioting
By the Associofsd Press

ALBANY, N. Y, Sept. 15.-Gov
Thomas E. Dewey has ordered
sweeping grand jury investigation
of the rioting that followed Paul
RobeSon's concert near Peekskill
September 4.
The Governor said last night
that the violence obviously was
provoked by Communist groups.
He directed that a special grand
jury be called in Westchester
County to determine whether the
concert was sponsored for the
purpose of deliberately melting
disorder" and whether "it was part
of the Communist strategy to TO-
ment racial and religious hatreds. "
He also ordered that the grand
jury find out whether the Com
munist-led guard forces" which
he said accompanied the Robson
concert-goers were a "quasi-mili-
tary force"
Gov. Dewey said that the vet
Grams who staged a protest parade
during the Negro baritone's con-
cert and the large number" OF
other persons who came to ex-
press disapproval "fell into a Com
munist bear trap"
However, he asserted the pro-
testers were guilty of lawlessness
He said the entire incident was
q shame and a disgrace.
Gov. Dewey said in a state.
ment that ANY action by any
one" whoever he is. In violation
of the rights of free speech anc
assembly will be Investigated 1T
the last limit OF the powers o1
the State"
He ordered that the grand jur,
find out whethtr the disorder.
near the concert site, about Il
miles north Of New York City
were the result Of organized plan.
ming on the part Of any individual
or group.
Gov. Dewey announced his &C.
ton at a news conference follow.
ing q four-hour meeting with
George M. Fanelli, Westchestel
County district attorney: Free
w. Ruscoe, sheriff of the county
and John A. Gaffney. superin.
tendent of State police.
Mr.. Fanelli told reporters h,
would call a special grand jury a.
soon as he could, possibly mex
week.
Called More Than Whitewash.
In New York. a CommuniS
spokesman said last night:
Its clear that Dewey plan!
more than q whitewash. He nov
plans to pin the responsibility fol
the storm troop action at Peekskil
not on the hoodlums, but on the
victims"
In his 1,100-word statement
Gov. Dewey said the 'pro-Com.
munist forces brought with then
some $500 men whom they callec
security guards
This force of guards was mill.
Etary in character. operation ane
formation and discipline. They
we're equipped with weapon!
which, while not prohibited by law
included baseball bats, can open.
ers, stones and cans Of black ane
red pepper. Such weapons In thu
hands of an organized group coult
become formidable and ever
deadly"
Unofficial reports placed the
number of persons injured in the
riot at more than 100. Mr.. Fanelli
and Sheriff Ruscoe. in written re-
ports to Gov. Dewey last week. set
the figure at 10.
Both Mr.. Fanelli and Sheriff
Ruscoe blamed teen-agers fol
most of the violence.
Gov. Dewey also ordered Mr.
Fanelli to complete an investiga-
ton of the violence that prevented
q Robson concert August ~ al
another spot near Peekskill.
In his statement, Gov. Dewey
asserted:
"The Communist groups obvi-
ously did provoke this incident.
he said. For q week prior to the
meeting on September 4, they and
their associates made the most
infiammatory public utterances