GANG DISORDER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1943, Page 3

GANG DISORDER

RIFE IN LOS ANGELES ATTACKS BY HOODLUMS ON SERVICE MEN & GIRLS. i THREE KILLINGS REPORTED. (•By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LOS ANGELES, June 11. According to the District Attorney, Mr Howser, a state of ncar-anarchy exists in Los Angeles, where the police and sheriffs' reserves, armed for riots, are attempting to stem the antagonism which has embroiled service men and “Zoot-suiters” in bloody battles. The trouble began last weekend, when gangs of hoodlums wearing zoot-sujts began “pushing around” service men and their girl friends. Zoot-suits which were first affected by “jitterbug fans” consist of a coat reaching almost to the knees, with trousers very full at the knees, tight round the ankles and worn high almost to the armpits. Gangs of zpot-suiters, largely consisting of Mexicans aged between 14 and 25, have been terrorising some districts and are held responsible for ‘three slayings. The gangs fought among themselves till recently, when they decared war against service men. Many affrays occurred in the city, parts of which have been declared out of bounds for service men. The zoot-suiter gangs have girl auxiliaries as tough as the youths themselves. Known as the “Black Widow Gang," they have been battling with women and girls on the outskirts of the city. The situation is reported to be growing progressively worse, with civilians breaking into private homes in quest of zoot-suiters. Scores of zoot-suiters have been arrested and judges have been ordered to imprison for 30 days anyone wearing ankle-choker pants and knee-length coats. A spokesman at the Mexican Embassy in Washington protested against mob violence against Mexicans not charged with any crime. The Secretary of State, Mr Cordell, Hull, reported that the State Department' was investigating the outrages.