The San Francisco call., 1908-03-30
HUNTER SCORES
NEW YORK POLICE
Says Acts In Union Square
Could Only Be Duplicated
In Russia
Sociologist Deplores Bomb
Throwing and Will Test :.
Right of Free Speech

NEW YORK, March 29--Robert Hum
ter, the noted sociologist, said tonight
that he was not only present at yes
terday's demonstration of the unem-
ployed in Union square that ended in
bomb explosion, but that. had oppor-
tunity offered. he would have addressed
the crowd in defiance of police prohibit
ton and so brought about test In the
courts of the right of free speech.
1t had been advertised that Hunter
would address the meeting, but in the
excitement that followed the action OF
the police in driving the crowds from
the square he was lost sight of, and
not until today was it generally known
that the settlement worker was on
hand prepared to carry out his part
of the program. even if 1t led to his
arrest.
Hunters position in the whole mat
ter was set forth in a statement over
his signature given to the Associated
Press. He deplores the outrage" OF
the mob, and refers to it's author as
fanatic who has injured the cause of
the unemployed. Hunter says until he
arrived at the square he was ignorant
of the fact that speech making had
been forbidden. He learned this of
the police and then determined to
speak in order that the right of peace
full assembly and free speech might be
tested in the courts. He adds that he
had no chance to be heard, for pres
emily the police charged the crowd
with incredible brutality" Hunter de-
scribes his own escape from under a
horses hoofs; tells how he was
dragged by officers from the steps OF
a building from which, he had hoped
to speak. and how what was intended
as a peaceful assembly in furtherance
Of al for tba I1narnnloved was hrOI< an
up with scene that he thought
could not be duplicated outside of
Russia"
BOMB THROWER MAY LIVE
Selig Silverstein, the youth in whose
hands the bomb exploded as he was
about to hurl it at Captain O'Reilly and
his squad of 20 men, was still alive in
the Bellevue hospital tonight. AL
though the explosion tore OF his right
hand, temporarily blinded him and
caused frightful bodily injuries, he may
survive.
Seven men arrested after the bomb
explosion were arraigned in court to-
day. OF the number six called them
selves Russians. One of them was an
American. The foreigners were held in
$4,000 bail each for further examina-
tion, while the American was held
without bail. They were charged with
taxing part in riot.
The police today examined a half
dozen persons, including II. Yanofsky,
editor of Frei Arbiter Steimme. All
said that they had advocated peace in
the adjustment of industrial disputes.
The general committee of the local
socialist party met today and set forth
their side of the story. They claimed
that the meeting was made UP of Law
abiding persons, and accused the police
OF melting the people to riot.
MANY FACE STARVATION
In his statement Hunter saws:
IL is needless to say that every socialist de-
1t Is the opinion of well informed persons that
at least 2oo, 600 are now unemployed in New
YORK city Most of them have been without
work for. three months at least This means
that many of them are facing starvation vari-
Gus attempts have been made to call the atten-
tion of the public authorities to this widespread
misery The socialists felt that the most effec-
tive way Of attracting public attention to the
been done and is being done in most cities of
Europe. There seemed no good why II
should not Be done In New York city 1t was
the problem of unemployment, to state the facts
as we know them and to pass resolutions urging
the city and state authorities to provide work.
Leaders of the American committee
of the Russian revolutionist society de-
nounced the bomb throwing as an out
rage and as a hard blow to the sue
cess of their cause in this country at
meeting held in the Murray Hill
Lyceum today in memory of Gregory
Gerschunin, the revolutionist, who died
in Switzerland recently.
The committee of the socialist party
met before daylight today and named
subcommittee of seven to learn the
motive If possible of Silverstein None
had ever heard of the bomb throwei
and all regretted his act
The body of Ignatz Hildebrand, the
only person killed by the bomb ex-
plosion. was given to his wife and
taken to Orange, N. J.. for burial