New-York tribune., 1909-07-21
BEDFORD WAS PINCHED
CODE At COOPER UNION.
Police and Proposed Ordinance Con-
demned by Resolution.

the tyranny of the police. 1t only needed Emma
Goldman make its happiness complete ror'
with two three exceptions, only amateur pro-
testers against tyranny were present l. ). Beo-
ford was there. even though Controller Metz
failed attend the meeting called by the Allied
Real Estate Interests TO protest against the
proposed building code. and he wanted TO say
lot about traction robbery" and the fallure OF
the Controller build more subways. Allan
Robinson, president of the Allied Real Estate
interests and chairman Of the meeting, choked
him Off and then Mr. Bedford forcibly re-
moved from the meeting 70 the sth street stauoh-
Mr.. Robinson protested. and then this happened:
Mr.. Robinson-win the police captain please tell
me what has become OF Mr.. Bedford?
Captain O'Connor (ssys nothing.
Mr.. Robnson-will the lieutenant please tell me
what has become OF Mr.. Bedford?
Lieutenant B-een Ckeeps silence)
Stage directions-Mr Robinson implores patrol
men 10 tell him what has become Of Mr.. Bedford.
(Sience omnes)
voice-"Tts an outrage. He's been jusged'
Benjamin F. Traltel. president Of the Building
Trades Employers Association-'I wish 10 intro
duce a resolution condenning the action Of the
police in interfering with the rights of free speech
Mr.. Robinson Gnterrupting)-"Wil some one tell
me what has become of Mr.. Bedford?"
Omnes-"He's been pinched." (Silence by police0
William BaI-'I will bail him out. good people"
tCheersD
Mr. Bedford, having been taken to the 5th street
station could answer for himself, the audi
encs voted unanimously censure the police
The meeting had gone along smoothly and
quietly country brook In drouth time until
John D. Moore. chairman of the charter revision
committee. which had 10 look after the building
code wanted 10 defend -. Right away there was
trouble. for Mr.. Moore started his speech this vsy
This has been said TO be cinder concrete
rn.etng. but if IT isn't what is it?
AT any rate voice insisted stridenty. y II Is
not Tsmmany Hall nesting
II iu charges
that have not heard" Mr. Moore went on. when
he got chance. t'Cut 1t out demanded a voice.
But If get a chance say anything and If the
succeeding speakers give much ammunition
as the others have. then will answer you
Get the hook demanded the audience Come
On, John. talk now" insisted others
Mr. Robinson tried to pour oil the troubled
waters by introducing Patrick Gallagher, builder
Mr.. G5allagher's rich brogue and speech got the
audiencs happy In a few minutes, but he sailed
into Mr Moore and Alderman Kenneally worse
than any Of the others did When he sat down the
band played MY wife's in the Country Hooray,
Hoorsy!''
Alderman Downing then paid his respects 10
Moore saying:
''Mr. Moore has been Car Of this cornu1ittse.
He worTned himself into the deliberations OF the
aldermenic COMMITTEES. When you tried choke
him of. you only gave 10 him what he gave to Us,
and what he deserved.
This prompted all enthusiastic person 70 arise
and announce that the Washington plant Of the
National Ffreprcofns Company had been burned
down October q. statement which was cheered
loudly.
T J. Tasgert, ot the Metallic I.athers' Union
read his credentials. and then attacked the pro
posed code as labor union man, saying that It's
adoption meant government Of, for and by the
politicians jarnin F. Trutel, president Of the
Building Trades Employers Association. said:
We code with meanings to II,
written plainly that every layman
derstand it, With all the other speakers. except
Mr.. Moore, he agreed that Il was up to- Mr.. Nc
Gowan now, and TO else. and that the code
had been drafted to give monopoly to the tile
trust"
A large person. who filed green suit comfort
ably and then little more. wanted to know
what is the meaning Of this meeting? ] have
been here half an hour and then patroiman
put him back into his seat.
Ex-senator George n. Brush, of Brooklyn.
president Of the Taxpayers Association. then in
troduced a resolution, adopted later. condemning
the proposed code the ground that it would
wantonly increase rents, fail TO provide proper
publicity for acts by the Superintendent Of Build
ings give undue advantages 10 special interests
fail to provide proper safety 10 districts outside
limits and give the public time adjust
itself changed conditions. This cheered.
and only three voted against IT. They woke up too
suddenly and promised not TO do Il again.
Then came Mr.. Bedford, who said that he was
favor OF the resolution but it would only serve
weld together the conflicting interests Of Tammany
Hall. And before you seek TO destroy Tammany
Hail. he cried, you ought TO try TO destroy the
traction interests" He down for a moment
and then tried 10 get up TO speak again, when the
police who have a speaking acquaintance with
him because OF his industry in making speeches at
such meetings took him in charge. although Mr
Robinson said he had been acting like gentle
man"
The audience after that did not care for any
thing serious They censured the police formally
and in great glee, and then were ripe 10 bait Mr..
Moore once
Il have been compelled to listen reflections on
my ability the latter began remarks on my
personal probity and my political potency. I ac-
cept these with grathca ton, for cTake off Muir
phys collar advised q without one) for I
consider the source from which they come.
listened to Alderman Downing who said on the floor
OF the aldern1anic chamber that had to Dady
(appeals for fair play from Mr. Robinson and jeers
from the hoor), and it was pleasure to listen to
him Mr.. Traite had mucn to say about me and
the code, but how about the meeting OF the
Building Trades he called 10 condemn the code,
and at which only three four showed up-not
even a quorum C''Question. Question! Point of
order. Keep TO the question: from all the
house) why there not more there?'
Why didn't you bring Kenneay 10 help you
out?' the audience wanted to know.
Keep to the building code" admonished floor
and platform.
Mr.. Moore was gsme. He grinned and came
back: II want TO ask these and this audi
c'Don't forget Tammany Hail." by the
chorus) IF they expect me TO enjoy being abused?"
Get the hook" was the reply OF the audience,
and while Mr Robinson was reluctant to act so
summRrily, it apparent that the crowd
getting away from him. when Mr.. Trsitel come
the with the resolution condemning the police
That safer and better fun and while Mr..
Moore retiring gracefully 10 the back of the
platform the police got theirs
DOES NOT WANT NEGRO SOLDIERS.