The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-30
MEETING
First Session of italian Con-
greSS Ends in Row.
SESSION HAD TO BE ADJOURNED
Socialists Attempt to Gain the Up
per Hand and After Several
Alterations Police Re-
stored Order.
SESSION HAD TO BE ADJOURNED

Philadelphia, March %. Amid
scenes OF noisy disorder and angry
disputes and while all the delegates
were on their feet, the opening session
OF the first congress Of Italians in the
United States was adjourned before
the program in Horticultural hall was
| finished.
Police interference was necessary in
the proceedings when two delegates
got into a dispute. and, jumping to
their feet, sprang at each others
throats. They were throttling each
other when finally separated by the
mayors detective. william H. McFad-
den, who ran to them from his place
on the stage.
McFadden telephoned to the city
hall for a detail Of plain clothes men,
who quickly put in an appearance. But
before their arrival the two disputants
broke out afresh. Both rose and again
made at each other amid a repetition
of Kisses and cries OF "Order!" from
the other delegates. A policeman ap-
peared from the rear and tried to
make the two men sit down, and az
ter considerable confusion they were
quIeted.
Mayor Reyburn, who had welcomed
the delegates, was seated on the stage
when these disturbances occurred. Nc
Fadden was standing near him and a
distinguished body Of Italians were
seated nearby, including the Marquis
Negrotto, who had brought greetings
to the congress in the name Of the
king Of Italy. The Italian ambassador,
the Marquis ID Bugnano, who Is re-
garded as one OF the greatest orators
In Italy, had Just announced that he
brought greetings from the Italian Ma
tional institute Of Rome.
From Rome" he said In Italian,
where today the fftleth anniversary
OF the proclamation Of Italy's unity
and freedom is being celebrated
Kisses Greet Speaker.
The rest Of the sentence was lost
on most OF the audience. Kisses and
cries OF "Order!" and "Silence!" arose
on the air from the north side a little
more than half way down the nall.
The delegates sitting there had risen.
Two men we're seen standing and dis
putting aloud regardless Of the disap-
prevail Of their action by most OF those
present.
One Of the disputants made a re-
mark that was inaudible from the
stage. An instant later they clinched
and one tried to force the other to his
seat. 1t was at this iuncture that the
mayors secretary interfered.
The next disturbance, one which
brought the meeting to a sudden ad-
journment in the midst Of a scene OF
turbulence, occurred while DR.. NJ.
Mazza, chairman, YVES speaking. In
closing his somewhat lengthy remarks,
DR.. Mazza said: 81 now declare the
first congress Of Italians in the United
States opened"
The instant Dr. Mana declared the
congress opened, EdmoEdo Rossini,
delegates Of the Italian Socialist Fed
Grafton OF New York, jumped to his
feet and demanded to be heard. DR..
Mazza told him he was out of order.
Rossini. with his right hand raised
high, insisted on his right to be heard.
Amid Kisses and shouts Of protest,
he cried out TO the presiding officer a
motion that the congress send a salute
to all Italian workmen in Philadelphia
and throughout the United States.
The noise and confusion increased
as the New York Socialist stood his
ground and refused to sit down. Amid
shouts and Kisses and the greatest
confusion, DR.. Mazza declared the ses-
sion adjourned.