Local American Legion leader Clem J. Smith prepares to climb through window during riot at Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, 1939

''San Antonio Saturday surveyed the havoc wrought in the greatest exhibition of mob violence and vandalism in the city's history--caused by a meeting of a handful of Communists in the Municipal Auditorium. In the wake of the mass hysteria participated in by a crowd of 10,000 Friday night, were 17 identified injured....The demonstration, brought on when veterans' and other organizations condemned action of the city in granting a permit to the Communist party for a rally in a structure dedicated as a war memorial, was led by teenage youths and a sprinkling of veterans. The scheduled meeting was halted before speaking began...[Before start of meeting] Mrs. Brooks [Emma Tenayuca] suggested the audience sing the 'Star-Spangled Banner'. As the audience started singing the yells of the mob increased. Mud, bricks, stones and bottles came smashing through glass windows, terrorizing the audience....Clem Smith, as he attempted to crawl through a window, asked his followers for a monkey wrench....'';Newspaper article (August 27): ''....Prominent in the affair at the auditorium Friday night were...Smith, the legion official, who led patriotic songs by the mob and then headed the assault on the auditorium....'