New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-15
Dignity of Free Speeeh
Gathering Upset by
Adolph Wolff.
HIS WORDS SPOIL
DAY FOR SINCLAIR
Meeting Held on Mrs. c. J. 0ouid's
Property Saved by a Song
Turmoil Ends Debate.

Adolph Wolf. Belgian, poet, sculpsr
anarchist and revolutionist-but mainly
rsvolutionlst as he himself says-turnH
I'm az the free speech meeting in Tary.
tovn Yesterday afternoon and utterly
ruined what was intended as an example
n Tarrytown residents Of how a peace
able and dignihed free speech meeting
ought to be conducted. Furthermore the
antics OF Wolff completely spoiled Upton
sinclair's day, so far as getting any
Measure out Of things was concerned.
Tho free speech advocates and Their
audience assembled in grove on the
nroperty OF Mrs. Charles ]. Gould, vino
had extended the use Of her Greek
theatre for the purpose. Below flowed
the Hudson, and an occasions! Gov
stopped to look over the fence and taxa
in the proceedings.
linton Sinclair and Leonard d. Abbott
were present with party that included
Mrs. L. h. Sinclair, Sinclairs mother,
and Elizabeth Freeman. the English NIL
liant suffragette. Mrs. Gould and TITO
hundred villagers were on hand. inclsd-
ing President Frank r. Pierson, Police
Commissioner Robert Hopkins. Village
Counsel Clarence s. Dawson and several
of the trustees. Sheriff Doyle and I'VE
deputies lowered in the background.
Sinclair, Abbott and President Pierscn
held the stage for two hours, with the
exception of few minutes that GeorEs
Hiram Mann, of the Live and Let Live
League" appropriated for the purpose
of delineating the plight OF some Brook
Ign navy yard employees unable TO recover
back pay. Mann and Sinclair INDUCED N
some brisk discussion, and the SOUND
of voices raised in argument reused
Adolph Wolff.
Wolff was introduced as poet, and
the audience was informed that he wo1la
read some poetry. Instead, he Launched
into a bitter and far from delicaiely
worded attack on the trustees and the
people Of Tarrytown, especially those
present. About half of the audience
started to depart when Wolff began MS
harangue, but this only goaded aim fur-
Their.
There they go, the towards" ne cried
They're afraid TO stay and hear uns
truth. And as for the board OF trustees
they are nothing but hypocrites. Presi-
dent Pierson has been telling us to appear
to the courts il we think we have rizn'
TO speak here. He knows that well never
accomplish anything that way; the cour's
are rotten.
But, Mr. Wolff" interrupted MIS-
Gould, 81 thought you were poet
This is poetry" shouted Wolf "Tqn
is real poetry. How about those poor
boys who are in jail
BY this time the entire audience was
on it's feet, jeering the speaker.
This meeting is adjourned" cried
Upton Sinclair.
NO, IL isn't - said Leonard ID. Aooo'.
Listen to this man for five minutes aH4
you may learn something"
IT demand free speech" came iro"'
Wolff.
"But free speech does not mean nen''
ing" replied Mrs. Gould. ..
Mrs. Sheridan is going TO sing SONS
shouted Upton Sinclair. =.
The turmoil quieted down lilue -
this announcement. and Mrs. McponA's
sheridan. a friend of Mrs. Gould, was
rushed TO the stage to save the day
Wolff was arrested in Union square !"
.rril and convicted OF disorderly conduct
He is now out on probation.
Sinclair will apply to New forh w
to-day for permission 10 hold meetlnss -
the Croton Aqueduct, which runs tnr0ss-
Tarrytown. Mrs. Gould. meanWhiie' 70.
volunteered the use OF her meade" i0'
future free speech gatherings.