"Half Price Food Sales Stop Riots", The Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, July 6, 1919

p. 1

transcription/facsimile newspaper article

HALF PRICE

FOOD SALES

STOP RIOTS

Florence, July 5 - (By the Associated Press) - Carabineers fired upon crowds here yesterday. One dead and twenty injured was the total result of the rioting.

The municipal and military authorities distributed food at half price this morning. There is still some confusion and disorder, but no acts of violence have taken place today.

LOCAL SOVIETS FORMED

The red flag has been hoisted in many places here and elsewhere in the Romagna district by what are termed local soviets. These organizations, in addition to imposing rules for gathering and selling food, also issued sentences, under the authority of the red flag, in controversies.

Wherever the chamber of labor exercised authority, goods went to special warehouses under the red flag. Even tramcars were pressed into service. Large quantities of supplies were turned over to the municipality in the Plazza Signoria, the chief square of the city.

Money taken from shops was also placed in the care of the municipality or the chamber of labor. The only shops respected by the rioters were those bearing the inscription "This shop is at the disposal of the chamber of labor."

STORM HOME OF MAYOR

VITERBO, Italy, Friday, July 4 - (By the Associated Press) -- Delayed.-- Crowds today attacked and ransacked shops. They attempted to storm the residence of the mayor whom they charged with failure to take measures to reduce the cost of living.

MERCHANTS UNDER ARREST

Palermo, July 4 - (By the Associated Press) -- Delayed - Thirty-one of the principal fish merchants were arrested here today charged as "starvers of the people." The arrests were made after the merchants were denounced by crowds.