Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-20
Not to Act in Little Falls So
ciaIist Fight.
PARTY SEEKS PROTECTION
Guarantee Of Free Speech Asked Of
New York Officials.
TAKE CoNc1L1AToRY STEPS
Mayor Lunn and Others Paroled,
But Town Authorities Deny Civ
ing Up Fight.

ALBANY, n. Y. October 19.-Gov. Dix
does not intend to interfere for the pres
emit at least in the dispute between the
authorities of Herkimer county and the
socialists regarding the right Of the
latter to hold public meetings in Little
Falls. In a statement tonight the gov
ernor says the question is one of con-
stitutionality. which should be passed
upon by the courts.
Following a conference with Herbert
E. Merrill. socialist member Of assembly
from Schenectady. Attorney General Car
mody issued statement tonight in which
he contends in effect that the constitution
guarantees the right of free speech and
that this right lis too valuable to be
left with police officers to enfore or
restrain"
Protection Is Desired.
Mr.. Merrill came here at the request of
the state committee of the socialist party
which plans to hold meeting in Little
Falls Monday. Charles Edward Russell,
socialist candidate for governor, and other
state candidates have been assigned to
address this meeting. Mr.. Merrill con-
suited with the attorney general to get
the state authorities to guarantee them
protection against police interference.
Gov. DIX, who Is at his Thomson home.
dictated his statement. He points out
that the arrests at Little Falls have been
made for alleged violation of a city
ordinance which requires persons hold
ing public meetings to obtain the consent
of the authorities
Is Question Of Law.
Whether thu ordinance violates the co,,.
stitutional provision guaranteeing free
speech. he says. Is purely a question Of
law, and the courts may be relied upon
for immediate redress in event constitu-
tional rights have been interfered with.
Attorney General Carmody says he adj
vised Mr. Merrill that the socialists I'M
doubtedly had the right to assemble. and
cited the provisions OF the state constt-
tuition that no law shall be passed TO
restrain or abridge the liberty Of speech
or of the press" also that no law shall
be passed abridging the right Of the peo-
pie to peaceably assemble" His state
ment continues:
mo disorderly act must be committed
Public thoroughfares must net be unrea-
sonably blockaded.
Cannot Be Denied.
Subject to these restrictions. the hight
to assemble and hold public political
meetings cannot be denied by any mu-
nicipality, not even by the state itself
The attorney general further stated
that this right is too valuable to be left
with police officers to enforce or re-
strain n
The attorney general advised MT
ample power to restrain interference with
this meeting or any other meeting, ana
undoubtedly would do so upon proper
case"
Accused Men Paroled.
LITTLE FALLS. N. Y. October 10
The local authorities took conciliatory
stems tonight in their fight against so
cialist orators. They denied that they
had given up the fight, but after holding
Mayor Lunn of Schenectady and six
other socialist orators in jail on the
charge of having committed q felony the
accused were paroled by Juoge toilhs
when the charge against them was re-
duced to a misdemeanor. Mayor Lunn's
case is scheduled to come up again Iues-
day, but it is expected it will not be
pressed.
new John A. Gugan of Albany q confer
ence was arranged. The situation was
talked over in business way and 1t was
declared all past rancor was dropped.
Speech to be Permitted.
When Charles Edward Russell. the So
cialist candidate for governor, visits this
city Monday he will be allowed to speak
In the local park. The park adjoins the
mill where the strike is in progress, over
which the present troubles arose.
The authorities hitherto have objected
to strikers meetings being held SO near
the mill property. Late today a confer
ence was held at which it was agreed
to reduce the charge against Mayor Lunn
and his companions to a misdemeanor
Judge Collins consented to the arrange
ment and Mr.. Lunn and his six friends
left on an evening train for Schenectady.
DR.. AlgernOn s. Crapsey, the former
Episcopal preacher, who was arrested this
afternoon for delivering street address,
was permitted to leave police headQuar-
tiers. He then availed himself of the "p-
portunity which has always been extend
ed to socialist speakers to address
crowd at Main and I'd streets He told
of his visits to the foreign sections OF
the city and described them as being
horrible.
In court this AFTERNOON Robert A. Bake
man, a. former minister of Schenectady.
who was arrested several days ago for
attempting to address an outdoor meeting
of strike sympathizers. was found guilty
on the charge of violating city oro1-
nance. The penalty was fixed at hne OF
$50 or fifty days in jail. Brakeman chose
the Jail sentence