GANGS WRECK COMMUNISTS' HEADQUARTERS
Police Arrest More than 265 in Attacks on Hangouts of RadicalsROCKS, CLUBS ARE USED
Men in Autos Swoop Down on Offices, Then Dash Away
(San Francisco,July 17, 1934) Gangs of roughly dressed men, armed with rocks, clubs and heavy gloves, were raiding radical centers this afternoon.Operating swiftly and mysteriously, the men invaded and wrecked the offices of the Western Worker, Communist newspaper headquarters at 37 Grove st., then sped in autos to the Workers' School, distribution center for Communist literature, at 121 Haight st.
Windows and furnishings in both places were battered to pieces.
Police Jail 85 Earlier in the day police had started a drive to round up Communists, raiding an asserted headquarters at 65 Jackson, with the assistance of the National Guard, and arresting 85 persons.
The vigilante raiders were not identified. They numbered between 30 and 40, and each wore a heavy leather jacket.
In each civilian raid the same procedure was followed. One auto- load of men drove past the radical hang-out and hurled bricks through the windows. Other cars filled with men drove up and mop- up squads rushed in. They wasted no time. Clubs and bricks were hurled, desks overturned and furniture smashed.
Carefully Planned By the time police radio cars arrived, the destruction had been completed and the gangs went to the next place. The campaign apparently had been carefully prepared.
The places raided were virtually deserted after the first barrage of bricks.
A few persons, however, failed to escape and were treated roughly. Elmer Barry, 851 Van Ness ave., and Mark Thornton, 30, Fresno, suffered scalp cuts at 1223 Fillmore st., asserted Communists meeting place. Herbert Lord, 27, of 45 Farallones ave., suffered cuts in the Grove st. raid, and Policeman Mervin Pratt, 794 Ashbury st., suffered a cut hand at 121 Haight st. while picking up glass.
A crowd stood across the street from 37 Grove st. and cheered as the place was attacked.
I really think that's the heart of the matter.
"They are basically just report-takers. They are secretaries with guns."
...are a pitiful comment on this country.
This story would be funny if it weren't true...shame on the SFPD!