Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-18
ARREST SOCIALISTS
FOR STREET SPEECH
TWO MEN AND WOMAN GIVE
BAIL
Men Contend Ordinance Is in Direct
Violation of National constitu-
tion--WiIl Make Contest
for "Rights"

The Socialists last night endeavored
to assert what they term their "Con-
stitutional rights of free speech" at a
meeting held at Fifth and Los Angeles
streets.
Jack Wood, an English Socialist and
prominent in the movement since 1889,
when he was identified with the famous
Robert Blatchford, author of 'Merrie
England" and Thomas Mann, noted
labor leader of London, was the first to
attempt to speak. After talking for
about forty minutes to large crowd he
was placed under arrest.
B. t. Weber, secretary of the local
Industrial Workers of the World, next
endeavored to address the crowd on "A
Way for the Workingman to Better His
Condition." and was also arrested.
A little woman who has been actively
engaged in spreading the doctrine for
many months, was arrested last. Her
name is Mrs. G. I. Decker. She took
her arrest coolly.
When Wood was taken into custody
the large crowd jeered the officer
loudly, although no violence was used,
and the officer was very gentle, accord
ing to the parties arrested.
I'VE are determined to sift this thing
to the bottom said Mr.. Wood at the
police station. American citizens,
under the constitution of the United
States, are guaranteed the right of free
speech, so long as that speech is not
offensive or riotous.
1.-THE Socialists tonight endeavored to
maintain order. The crowd was kept
entirely in from the sidewalks and the
meeting was held opposite a vacant lot
where open gambling has been going
on unmolested for weeks by the police.
Some of these gamblers were arrested
and were let off on $40 bail. All three Of
us tonight were forced to put up 500
cash bail for our appearance in court.
Is that just, or Is it reasonable?
1.-THE officer who arrested us tonight
was very gentlemanly and deserves
credit, despite the fact that he was
jeered by every one of over 1000 per-
sons who had gathered to hear us.
Mayor Harper and the police COM
missioners have declared they will not
issue permits for us to speak on the
streets, or even on vacant lots. The
denial, while apparently arbitrary, is
based on the existence of a law passed
by the Los Angeles city council--a law
which every well posted citizen and
student of the constitution must and
does know is a fragrant violation of one
VI blle 6doi ehaisoCo VI tih~s
constitution, on which all American law
is supposedly established Our con-
stitution prescribes in Interchangeable
language the rights and privileges Of
American citizenship. 1t bequeaths to
the American all that goes, or should
go, to differentiate him from the yoke
ridden and helpless subject of a mon
archy such as Russia.
THAT constitution, in words that no
Judge or cunning lawyer can distort or
misinterpret, guarantees the right of
free speech, and freedom in religious
and political belief.
"Whe we take from a man the right
to expound his principles of religion or
other faith we make the first attack
upon the vital seat of American char
acter and citizenship. We take the first
step toward tyranny; the first step to-
ward the actual curtailment of his con-
victions, and II is step that eventually
must lead to the absolute prescription
and prohibition of those numerous other
rights which constitute equality and
justice, or the essence of American
manhood.
1--WE will contest our cases to the
highest tribunal in the land, If neces-
sary, to bring about final decision
which will herald the triumph of con-
stitutional rights, or sound the knell of
our American freedom and liberty"
The three Socialists will probably be
arraigned this morning.