Word: mikes
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Between the warring groups, San Francisco Police Chief Michael ("Big Mike") Gaffey and 170 officers formed a thin line. Police Captain John Engler and Lieut. Les Dolan moved forward to meet the marchers. "Calm down, men," said Engler. "We don't want any trouble here." But A.F.L. men, marching 30 abreast, slogged on, pushing the police before them. Half a dozen marchers tried for a breakthrough. The first man rushed head down through the police line, was caught by a cop's uppercut, sent sprawling to the ground. Four policemen pummeled him with fists and clubs and carried...
...stopped in its tracks, and the chief of police asked to see their leaders. Harry Johnson and Vince Malone stepped forward. "Tell your men to go home, boys," said Big Mike in a soft brogue. "If you don't, my men will do it for you." The labor leaders protested: "You let those Commies stay on the dock. You won't let our men off the ship, and you tell us to go home. Whose side are you on, anyway?" Said Big Mike: "I don't want to argue with you. Get your men off the street...
Then Chief Gaffey walked back to Pier 39 and confronted Bridges' armed pickets. "Put those clubs down and let me talk to your leader," he said quietly. Bill Chester, a hulking Negro, came forward. "Bill," said Big Mike, "I want those men to put down their sticks and leave this pier. Do you want to tell them, or shall I have...
Chester protested. "Those guys are comin' to get us, and we've got to protect ourselves." Replied Big Mike: "Those men are not coming through our line. Tell your boys to go home." After some hesitation, Chester agreed to talk over the loudspeaker. "Well, men," he said, "the chief wants us to go home. We can leave our pickets, but the rest of us must...
Half an hour later, the police formed a loose line from the entrance of Pier 39 across the street to where a few of the A.F.L. men were waiting. "All right," boomed Mike Gaffey, "get the men off the ship." The beleaguered crew ran through the line to their comrades. Big Mike and his men had averted what might easily have been the worst waterfront brawl since the bloody...