George Vair's Account Of The Canadian Seamen’s Union Strike In Saint John
Ronald J. Jack's Blog Detailing The Confrontation On The Waterfront
What would have happened in the event of a riot or even a charge against police lines? In 1949 the Saint John Police Department had no special training in riot control, which necessitated calling in the RCMP. As local constables had no tear gas, they were issued only hardwood axe handles which caused injuries. 
Steel helmeted Mounties on the Saint John waterfront, April 28, 1949. 
A very provocative photograph distributed by the Canadian Press News Agency, and clipped from a newspaper. Three Saint John policemen in helmets, wielding axe handles, confront one labour official with what appears to be remnants of a picket sign. Do any of them know what they are doing? The Saint John police had no training in riot control but, in 1947, each officer had been issued with a 9-inch rubber baton. It would seem that axe-handles were deemed to have more reach, yet this photo shows a miss. Historians need to locate the other photos on the roll taken by the C.P. Photographer.
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