Image: Los Angeles Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats Program for “Zoot Suit” Credit: Jose Legaspi
In Part 5, we looked at the story of Joe Dacy Coleman, “patient zero” in the Zoot Suit Riots, which led to a report at the National Archives. As it turns out, the archives have moved from Laguna Niguel to Riverside, so while we track down that report, here’s something else interesting.
In 1997, while doing research at the city archives on the Black Dahlia case, I came across a stack of radio addresses by Mayor Fletcher Bowron. My philosophy is: “If you think you’ll ever need it, take it, because who knows when you’ll be back.” So I copied everything.
Fourteen years later, I have unearthed two of Bowron’s speeches about the Zoot Suit Riots. Here’s his speech from June 9, 1943, courtesy of the optical character recognition software on my scanner.
In the speech, Bowron (a former Superior Court judge) wholeheartedly supports the LAPD and the servicemen, and warns
about the increasing threat of juvenile delinquency and gang violence.
Bowron’s view is that there was no racism involved in the attacks on zoot-suiters, saying: “The action of the service men was entirely understandable and largely excusable. It is unfortunate that Mexicans and negroes, whether they wore zoot suits or not, happened along the street at the wrong time.”
Chief Horrall says: “Police reserves were utilized to the fullest and the amount of damage done and the injuries received was slight. And while these crowds were large and contained many Service men, the spirit was one of fun rather than an attitude of belligerency.”
Also notice how Chief Horrall emphasizes that the Police Department has 545 vacancies due to enlistment of personnel in the military.
“Zoot Suit” and History, Part 1| Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
BROADCAST BY MAYOR FLETCHER BOWRON, RADIO STATION KECA
Wednesday, June 9, 1943. 7:45 p.m.
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