New-York tribune., 1908-03-30
's ,s MIR. HUNTERS STORY.
Did Not KnozC Permit Had Not
Been Obtained.

Robert Hunter, speaking for the socialists WHO
planned the demonstration by the unemployed IN
Union Square, repeated yesterday that all social
lists deplored the bomb throwing. and that had
the police dispersed the crowd without violence
there would have been trouble. Mr.. Hunter
said the of the mounted policemen riding
on the sidewalks. with the people rushing before
them could be witnessed in other place except
Russia.
"It is needless to say that every socialist &c
riores the outrage of yesterday in Union Square
he said. 'The fanatic who threw the Dornb mas
| not only injured himself and threatened the lives
Of others, but he has made 1t impossible for the
public consider calmly the two important Gues-
tions that the socialists were attempting to bring
TO the notice of the public. If the poor creature
was interested in the rights OF the unemployed or
in the rights of free speech, he could hardly have
| chosen a more effective method of injurins these
"As my name has been mentioned so prominently
in connection with the unemployed demonstration
| 1 feel it my duty to make statement concerning
the purposes of the meeting, as 1 understood
them. 1t is the opinion Of we'll Informed persons
that at least two hundred thousand are now IN
employed 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
Various attempts have been made to cali the at
tenton of the public authorities to this widespread
misery The socialists felt that the most effective
way Of attracting public attention to the question
TO have mass meeting. This has been Gene
and is being done in most cities OF Europe ii0i0
seemed no good reason why it should not be done
in New York City 1t was my intention ana 'haC
Of my friends to discuss the problem OF uIlehl-
poyment. state the facts as we knew theln' ana
to pass resolutions urging the city ana state au-
thorities 10 provide work
If the meeting had been allowed to proceei
peaceably, they allowed in many other eouh-
tries there is no reason why the gathering should
not have made profound impression ana i'ia'e
rally aided the cause of the unemployed 1t was
intended that the meeting should be apsoIuteiE
peaceable exercising the right Of free assembly 20
state the grievances Of the unemployed Inns WAS
the primary of the meeting
When arrived at the Square only knew from
a newspaper report that permit had been ob-
tanned It appears from the reports that the uner-
ployed conference had decided to postpone the
meeting | was not informed Of this action, and
consulted Inspector Schmittberger concerning our
rights the matter. He said that instructions had
been given to prevent any meeting without Know
ing the law, ii seemed to me violation OF the
constitution to prevent peaceable assembly and
the right OF free speech.
1T the best plan to determine the
law in the matter to be arrested for speaking
and to test the matter in the courts Informed
the inspector, therefore, that should endeaVor to
speak. There was, however, no chance The crowd
was kept moving and finally several thousand men
and women marching in circle around the
Square. AS very considerable portion OF the
crowd approached 18th street ana Union Square
horseback charged the crowd with incredible bfu-
tality The people were rushed into 18th street
fleeing from the clubs OF the policemen and al
most under the heels OF the horses They were
dispensing about as fast as possible but the police
seemed not content and two three on horseback
rode even down the sidewalks, driving men, women
and children before them. The sight was one
which l think could not be duplicated outside OF
Russia. Not all Of the police could be blamed
They were acting under orders. and some of them
III, rI,a a1i-f Sta,o
few OF them seemed as fanatcal and hendish as
Cossacks I do not know If any OF the spectators
seriously injured, but it is a miracle II some
not No. 6537 rode up and down the Sidewalks
like a madrnan. Some of the police expressed their
disapproval OF the brutality.
Up to this time one, SO far as saw, was
making any disturbance, creating any violence or
using the methods of anarchy except portion OF
the police. It is wonder that there should have
been resentment and bitterness Some were livid
with rage A lad working on q building asked
If ii was a Russian massacre People shouted Is
this Russia?' is this free country Being
driven amid protest down the streets with the
crowd and finding t impossible to argue with
horse which about to run me down, climbed
up steps and attempted to address the crowd
Several policemen caught and dragged from
the steps.
ut is to be profoundly regretted that the police
saw fit 10 break up what intended be a
peaceable assembly They had unquestioned
right to arrest any who violent and
stop any talking y ho urging violence. l
absolutely convinced that If the crowd had
been permitted the square and the police
had regulated it they would have regulated any
other assembly there would have been no Violence
and very likely the poor fanatic who threw the
bomb would not have had the courage nor the in
centlve to blow up policemen who orderly and
peaceabie
AS il is the police brutality and the outrage
make II impossible to discuss the dire need of the
scores OF thousands ot unemployed men. 1t Is in
the interests of and content that the social
lists work when they urge that employment be
given to these many unfortunate and poverty
stricken people