The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-29


ders came to clear the park. Probably
5000 persons were assembled there at
that time
The order came suddenly and no time
was allowed anyone nor was any dis
tinction made as to persons Lines Of
mounted policemen swept firmly down
the pathways and across TIE green
sward, driving the people before them
IN a solid mass. Jeering and hootins
followed. simultaneously, the policemen
on foot took hold OF the crowds that
blocked the sidewalks and attempted 20
force them into the cross streets to dis
perse them.
BY this time the throng had increased
to at least 1900 people. They we're for
the most part of foreign birth. and they
were angry at being denied the right
to hold their meeting. They moved
| sullenly and sluggishly, and the police
men began 20 use their clubs to hurry
them along. The mounted police. hav-
| ing cleared the park. took a hand. and
| into Fourteenth. Fifteenth, Sixteenth,
and Seventeenth streets, Fifth avenue
and the adjoining streets, the crowd
was hustled along.
"Marseillaise" Started
without a leader and deprived OF their
meeting place. Sley hesitated. halted
| sought about for what to DO. and inany
found an outlet for their pent-up fee
| ings in song. Away on toward Irving
| place a group Of about hundred burst
| into the strains OF the ''Marseillaise ."
| and suddenly from 1000 threats there
came the tingling airs Of that anthem,
| Some formed a line. the others quick
| " fell in, and round and round the four
/ sides of the r>-k the vast throng
moved. singing as they swung along
/ the oninous words of the old French
| song.
Schmittberge. saw the point, and tele-
| phoned for re-enforcements-
| They came on the run from half a
| dozen precincts. Men on foot and
noun ed
| New York has never before witnessed
| ANYTHING lust Ike this. The police were
/ plainly in a Quandary. The square alb
solutely deserted, save for the peace
| guardians. on all four sides Of 1t was
| thai marching army. women as well as
/ men, singing. shouting, parading. They
/ attempted no disorder
Horsemen Charge Mob.
The police swept down upon the
| crowd once more, and drove them he'll
ter SHELTER into me surrounding streets
| A platoon # mounted men would Sc
Iect a group and charge down upon It.
scattering them in all directions. Men.
women and children would scatter into
stores. down Easements and every avail
able place out of the way. Then an
other section would be attacked. but
IL
| first section would once more form
| Then more re-enforcements were sent
| for. Lieutenant Mccarthy, Of the tras-
fc squad. with twenty horsemen, "a.
sponded quickly. and. meeting the
raarchers between sixteenth and Sew
cnteenth streets and Fourth avenue,
charged them and turned them back
and sent the head OF the line flying
through East Sixteenth street.
The other fed toward Fifteenth street
and Fourteenth street. At Fifteenth and
Irving place the marchers attempted TO
make a stand. but down came a flying
squadron of the police. and the mob was
sent scattering once more. Union Square
was now practically cleared and the pa
rade broken up.
Stronger Than Constitution.
An illustration Of the police attitude al
the beginning is furnished by this Incl
dent. When Schmittberger forbade any
speaking because a permit had been re-
fused a man approached him and -four
ishing a copy Of the Constitution OF the
United States read the amendment say
ing: Congress shall make no Law
abridging the right Of the people peace
ably TO assemble"
That" said the man holding up the
Constitution. is the strongest thing IN
the Union"
Holding up his night stick Schu!tt
berger replied. And this is the stzong-
est thing in Union Square.
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