TWICE SOUGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1943, Page 4

TWICE SOUGHT

». BY LOS ANGELES GANGS VIOLENT AND LAWLESS HOODLUMS. REPORT OF INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LOS ANGELES, June 13. Six cars packed with representatives of the “Zoot-suit” gangs, with the radiators 'draped with American flags and white truce banners paraded through the city to the police headquarters, where the chief of police was told: “We are good Americans. We are passing the word along to ‘cut out the rough stuff.’ ” The police chief guaranteed police co-operation. Quiet at present prevails throughout the city. As a move to halt the sale of “Zoot-suits,” the Federal Wai* Frauds Division obtained a temporary injunction against a shop stocked with approximately 800 Zootsuits. Officials said the suits, which were unlawfully cut and manufactured, had become the insignia of violent, lawless hoodlums roaming the streets of Los Angeles. A special Governor’s committee investigating the «ecent disorders demanded that the guilty be punished regardless of whether they wear “Zootsuits, police, army or navy uniforms.” It added that the problem concerns American youth and is not confined to any racial group. The committee asserted that juvenile delinquency was increasing and recommended a community educational programme to combat race prejudice.