Albuquerque morning journal., 1908-01-24
Attempt to Parade Through
Downtown Streets of Windy
City Results in Broken Heads
for ParaderS,
LEADER. WELL KNOWN
SOCIALIST, ARRESTED
Prisoner Protesting Innocence
of Any Unlawful Intention,
Complains Bitterly of Alleged
Brutality of Laws Mi0jonS,


VI u tOIIly W law NlIIiOIIS'
GBy Morning journal Special Leased Wire.l
Chicago, Jan. 2S.-An attempt of
socialists to bring about march Of
the unemployed" through the down
town streets today resulted in two
sharp fights with the police, in which
the -be-marchers were routea
after a number Of men had been club
bed. DR.. Benjamin L. Reitman, the
originator of the plan to march
through the streets, ana two Of his
followers We're arrested.
For several days Reitman. who is
a socialist, had been making an
nouncements of his intention to hold a
parade of "hoboes" and "unempoy-
ed, despite the warning given him
by Chief Of Police Shippy that no
march through the streets would be
permitted. Reitman continued to defy
the authorities ana last night thou
sands of circulars were distributed
through the downtown saloons and in
the lodging house district calling upon
all men out of work to assemble at 2
o'clock on the lake front. The chief
Of police early i'm the day reiterated
his statement that the m,-rch would
not be permitted and directed that all
the police force be held in reserve at|
the various stations.
At a minute before O'Clock a
crowd commenced to gather on Mich
igan avenue in front of the Art insti-
tute, and in a few minutes a column,
which was merely a series of punches
of four and five men, formed and,
headed by Reitman. they started west
on Adams street. The marChers prob |
ably did not number more than zoo a t
any time, but many hundreds of peo-
pie followed them along the sidewalks
and added to the confusion.
After marching "A block west on
Adams street, Reitman counter
to Michigan avenue passed |
north to Madison street and then
west two squares to Madison |
street
Here he encountered a strong squad |
Of police under the command Of AS |
sistant Chief Of Police Schuettler, who, |
after a command to disband had been |
charge the marchers. The police |
came on at a run, and the column !
was instantly broken up. Several men |
were knocked down and the police, |
not attempting to make arrests, used |
their clubs freely in quickenng the |
footsteps of the fleeing "unemployed."
Followed closely by the police, the |
darted into the crowd Of /
shoppers along state street, and sew |
eral women were pushed to the side |
walk during the confusion, No ar |
rests were made and nobody was Sc
'iously injured, although the police |
dealt vigorous thumps with their /
clubs on the heads and backs of the |
marchers.
A number Of the marchers after
getting away from the police, went /
south on State street, attempting TO
'orm another column as they went.
At state street and Jackson boulevard |
hey had formed the semblance Of an
,ther parade, and taking the middle Of
he boulevard, they marched along
'iX abreast Just before reaching
Clark street they were met by an
1ther detachment of police under
-ieutenants White and Mooney. An
other command to dispense met with
10 response, the marchers attempt
ng to shoulder their way along. The
police instantly charged, swinging
heir clubs right and left The
narchers fled wildly. some of them
into the doorway Of the
Union League club. Reitman turned
outh in Clark street, but was quickly |
,aught and placed under arrest. He
hoWed some fight, and was handled
n vigorous style. His hat was
smashed by a blow from police
mans club, he was knocked down
md mis- clothing torn. When he re-
,ained his feet he shouted:
Let me go; let me go, | know
he chief Of police
He was at once taken to police
headquarters, followed by a crowd Of
wo thousand people. After reaching
he station Reitman said:
I was arrested without cause. and
vas treated brutally Some policeman
nit me over the head with his club
There would have been no disorder IL
he police had allowed US to march
through the streets as we wished to
10. All we wished to do was to walk
o the city han ana demand that men
'ut Of work be given work by the
ity"
As soon as It was known that fight
ng had taken place In the streets.
'hief of Police shippy called in the