The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-26
POLICE BAR GOLDMAN
Gets "Turn Down" When She
Asks to "Hire a Hail."
AGENT WRITES MAYOR TAFT
Famous Priestess of Anarchy Comes
Under Police Ran When Her Adj
vance Agent Attempts so Lease
Auditorium for an Address Here.
President Gets Stern Gail"

Emma Goldman has been quietly barred
from Washington. Maj. Sylvester did 1t
with his little blue pencil.
She has tried to hire a hall" in the
Capital, but In vain. The hall owners
have all been warned not 10 rent their
auditotiums TO the priestess of anarchy.
If she invades the city she will have TO
speak from a cart-tail or a dry goods box.
and there is some doubt as TO whether
she will be permitted 10 do that.
Her manager. DR.. Ben L. Reitman, has
been In Washington some days trying TO
make an arrangement for Miss Goldman
10 speak here next Sunday. An the
hall owners whom he approached pleaded
fear OF the police. Yesterday he made a
tentative engagement of National Rifles
Armory. but the police put quietus on
the deal. 1t is said.
Thereupon. Dr. Reitman. with blood
boiling. sat down and penned letter 20
William II. Taft, the nominal mayor OF
Washington, d. c." Far be il from him
to consult the District Commissioners or
any minor officials. He went to the head
Of the nation, and protested against the
suppression Of free speech in the Capital.
it Is not the first time that Miss Gold
mai has been denied the right TO speak
in American cities. since she has often
come In contact with police censorship.
But Il is probably the first time she and
her managers have applied for redress 10
the President
Letter To "AIayor Taft"
The letter IS In the name OF the Free
speech committee. organized to protect
free speech against arbitrary police in
reference" and is as follows:
Washington. p. C.. November 3. 1910.
William ii. Tan. tie Nominal Mayor Of Washing
Dear Sir: As the supreme person In poser in the
city Of Washington. ID. c. ] desire 10 call yoar at
tenton 20 the fact that free speech has been sup
PRESSED BY your subcrdinates. the city police Of
Washington
As a representative Of the national free speech
committee and manager for Emma Goldman. I
attempted to rent hall in this city IN which
Emma Goldman could lecture. The various hall
keepers and theatrical managers have informed me
that they cannot rent their halls because the police
have forbidden them to do -. In short, the police
q Washington. D. c., have arbitrarily and iegsIy
suppressed Emma Goldman's right q free speech By
making it impossible for her 70 secure ball.
That the police department has given orders 20
the various nah keepers not 70 rent their PLACES,
sou can ascertain hy getting in touch with police
eadquaTteTs
The city a Washington has passed unjust and
cruel laws against the anarclisis-laws that would
rave made il impossible for Leo EOlstoi 10 come 10
America. had he wanted 10.
The average Senator, Congressman and government
Official Is ignorant 70 what anarehism really
means and now when an authoritative anarchist
attempts 70 deliver lecture on the tue meaning
Of ansrchism, she IS prohibited from doing -.
The lecture that Emma Goldman vas DESTROYS az
delivering in Washington has been delivered in 100
different cities and has been circulated widely
through the nails
I hope your sense Of fair play and your pride in
the city q Washington will call a halt 20 the IN
deThand and arbitrary methods Of the Washington
police department
Miss Goldman does not expect immunity from the
law All she asks Is free speech and fair play.
Respectfully, BEN. L. REITMAN, NJ. D.,
Representing the Free Speech Committee.