Evening star., 1949-09-04
Dewey Masses Police
To Avert New Riot
Al Robson Concert
BY the Assoeioted Press

dered all available State police to
the Peekskill area tomorrow to
guard against another riot between
war veterans and supporters OF
Paul Robson, Negro singer.
Robson failed to appear at an
open-air concert last Saturday
when anti Communist veterans
clashed with the left-Wing singers
audience. At least eight were in
jured, but Robson was intercepted
by friends before he reached the
scene.
He Immediately pledged a Sec
ond efort-scheduled for pm
tomorrow about a mile from last
weeks riot scene.
The veterans said they plan to
march $4,000 men past the con-
cert location. Robson supporters
called for an audience of 10000.
$50 Officers Modified.
More than $50 local law enforce
ment officers are already mobilized.
Gov. Dewey called the concert a
pro- o-Communist meeting" but said
freedom of speech and assembly
must be guaranteed however
hateful the views of some of those
who abuse them"
He ordered Supt. John A. Gaff-
ney of the State Police to Peeks-
kill to command the troopers.
Robeson's supporters arranged
for buses to carry adherents from
New York City.
The veterans said they would
have groups from as far away as
New England and Pennsylya
The recital is to be held at the
Old Hollow Golf Course-no longer
used-four miles north of here on
Hillside avenue.
Hillside avenue is only 20 feet
wide. The IS veteran groups
sponsoring the parade said they
will be marching south along it
from noon until we get tired"
Head-On Clash Possible.
The concert goers normally
would go north from Peekskill, in
dicating the possibility of a head
on meeting between the rival
groups.
Veterans involved include a
number of units of the American
Legion and the Veterans of For
eign Wars, and one unit each Of
the Catholic War Veterans and
the Jewish War Veterans.
However, Walter L. Horan
American Legion commander in
the ninth district, which includes
Westchester County. said tonight
the Legion "is neither sponsoring
supporting nor approving the dem
onstration"
ANY Legionnaire participating
in the protest parade will do so
with the distinct understanding
that it is not in the name of the
American Legion" Mr.. Horan said.
Gov. Dewey said that sending
State police does not remove the
responsibility of local officials to
maintain order. Westchester
County District Attorney George
Fanelli and Sheriff Fred w. Rus
coe will be held strictly account
able" he said.
Sheriff Ruscoe requested the
additional State troopers.
He spent today organizing his
own force. Aside from the 100
State troopers regularly assigned
to the district, he said he has 80
regular deputies, SO emergency
deputies. so Westchester parkway
police in uniform. and $50 police
from Westchester cities and
towns. AL have been deputized.
Judge Refuses Injunction.
Actual sponsors of the new con-
cert are Peoples Artists, Inc.
which arranged the original meet
ing, and the Westchester citizens
Law and Order Committee. The
latter group organized during the
week to help Robeson's second
attempt.
Earlier today the committee lost
a round when Federal Judge John
w. Clancy in New York City re-
fused to grant an Injunction to
stop the proposed veterans parade.
He said his court had no juris-
diction, and called the committe
request "a cheeky application"
Tomorrow's concert, like the one
last week, is for the benefit Of
the Harlem branch of the Civil
Rights Congress. The congress
is listed as subversive by the JUS
tice Department.
KIon VIII Rum Erneeae