Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-14
POLICE ARREST TWO
SOCIALIST SPEAKERS
PROMINENT MEN ARE TAKEN IN
CUSTODY
Friends of Prisoners Deposit Bonds for
Them and Ordinance VIII Be
Bitterly Fought When Case
Comes to Trial

w. S. Bradford editor of Common
Sense, a local weekly Socialist publ
cation, and Sam Stodell, a prominent
Socialist, were arrested last night
about 9 o'clock while addressing an
audience of 1000 people at Fifth and
Los Angeles streets. who had gathered
to hear their Socialist doctrine
They We're taken to central station,
where they We're charged with misde-
meanor and $1OO cash bail demanded.
A joint committee of several Social
ist organizations promptly deposited
the bail and the men were released.
They will be arraigned on the misde-
meanor charge at 9:30 o'clock this
morning. They will demand a jury
trial and make fight for their right to
speak on the public streets.
I will enforce the ordinance pro-
hibiting speaking on the streets without
permits" said Chief of Police Ed Kern
during a session of the police board
last week, when members Of the Los
Angeles local Of the Socialist party
were making an appeal for the right to
speak on the streets.
Mayor Harper declared at the time
that it was, in his opinion, too early to
start the political campaign, therefore
he was opposed to granting the permit
requested by the Socialists.
I'VE are determined to make a stand
for our constitutional right of free
speech" said Bradford, after his re-
lease on bail last night.
Are Law Abiding Citizens
I'VE are law abiding citizens and we
are opposed to violence. We represent
the only party which is unalterably OPP
posed TO violence and bloodshed Would
Mayor Harper, who is a Democrat, like
- foIf f-f lot
him when he could or could not open
the Democratic campaign? That
seems TO me to be a question for each
party to decide for itself. Our cam
paign started the day after the last
election and it will never close until
the day when we shall have industrial
freedom and economic equality.
Man has ever had a struggle for
free speech. Our forefathers fought for
it and we will not rest until our rights
are restored"
Among the speakers at the meeting
at Fifth and Los Angeles were A. f.
Lindwall, organizer for Los Angeles
branch local. He was not interrupted,
although he spoke about fifteen min
utes He introduced b. r. Weber, who
represents the Industrial Workers of
the World. Weber spoke about twenty
minutes and was also not interrupted.
w. >. lIlGH SpOhC DiiSily,
when Policeman Toomey appeared and
took Bradford to the station.
Bradford was told if he would prom
ise not to return to the platform last
night the bails would be made low. The
Socialist refused to make any prom
ises, and the amount was fixed at $10O.
Bail Deposited
Attorney George w. Downing and
Mr. Collins, secretary of the Liberal
club, deposited the amount without de-
lay. In the meantime Schade of the
Socialist Labor party, Turner of Cen
trail park fame and Sam Robbins of
Chicago spoke to the crowd at Fifth
and Los Angeles streets. Policemen
on the spot kept the sidewalks clear.
but did not interfere with the speakers,
who spoke an hour.
Sam Stodell was the last speaker.
He was arrested by Patrolman Steiner
and also gave 800 bail.
Clarence Nelly acted as attorney for
EtOdali