New England Legends

In history the Boston Tea Party (1773) has been joined by the Boston Police Strike (1919). Inasmuch as the latter event created the fame which made Calvin Coolidge Vice President, and hence President, there are not a few critics who want to dig up and rewrite the legend. The story as reconstructed by these critics brings zero credit to Mr. Coolidge. They charge:

1) That he could have prevented the strike by vigorous action, but actually did nothing.

2) That he did not act until the disorder of the strike was completely quelled, although then he needlessly called out the entire state militia.

3) That while the strike was brewing public sentiment was divided, but as soon as the strike took place sentiment shifted abruptly against the police, and that then, only when he saw the trend of public feeling, did Governor Coolidge act. The facts seem to bear out in certainty only one part of these charges --that Governor Coolidge had no part in quelling the disorder of the strike. The most reliable account of the strike available is the report of a committee of citizens appointed by Mayor Peters of Boston before the strike took place. Its report was not made public until a month after the strike. The narrative of this report is, in substance:

The policemen of Boston had certain undoubted grievances. They formed a union and made demands. The Police Commissioner refused to treat with them under any circumstances. The Commissioner is not a city official, but an appointee of the Governor. The Committee mentioned above interceded with the Commissioner, believing that an adjustment could be reached. He declined to make any compromise, believing that there would not be a strike, or that if one occurred only a few men would go out. The Committee then had two conferences with Governor Coolidge, who refused to take action. The second of these conferences took place on the day before the strike. On the day of the strike the Committee received a letter from the Governor saying that he was unable to discover any action he could take.

That afternoon a great number of policemen went out on strike. Disorder broke out and lasted through the right. Early the next morning Mayor Peters called out the local militia (in accordance with his authority in emergencies) and requested Governor Coolidge for more troops. By night the situation was well in hand. On the following day Governor Coolidge issued his proclamation calling out the militia and condemning the strikers. The friends of Mr. Coolidge declare that he took no action in advance of the strike because he was in touch with the Police Commissioner and was misled by the latter's optimistic belief that there would be no strike. They further assert that as soon as the Governor knew the actual conditions he immediately did all in his power. It is evident, however, that the credit of restoring order after the strike must be given to the Mayor of Boston, not to the Governor of Massachusetts.