The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-27
CHURCH RIOT LAID TO
POLICE, NOT |. W. W. MEN
Witnesses at Tannenbaum Trial
Swear He Wanted to
Avoid Trouble.

From evidence introduced at the trial
Of Frank Tannenbaum the young Nv. w.
leader. before Judge Wadhams in General
Sessions yesterday II would appear that
most Of the rumpus 1T St. Alphonsus's
Church. In West Broadway. on March
was caused by the police and not by the
defendant and his followers. This testi-
mony was In direct conflict with that OF
a dozen witnesses called by Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Press.
When the trial for unlawful assembly
was resumed yesterday the court room
men and women. all clamoring for ad-
mission. Only those known to have bust
ness In the court gained admission. Justus
Sheffield. counsel for Tannenbaum. had
subppnaed several men who said they
were members Of the I. W. w. Some of
them were inclined to be nettled when told
they must remain outside the court room
within call.
one young man tried to arouse SYM
pathy for his associates by declaring that
they were hungry and wanted money for
lunch. Court officers ran them of the
floor with instructions to return ut 2
o'clock. At roll call all Of the necessary
witnesses appeared. Nothing was heard
from the young man.
Charles W. Plunkitt OF 10 West Elev-
enth street declined to swear on the Bible.
He affirmed When asked his business
he shouted
81 am one Of the unemployed
Plunkitt said he has been out Of work
since last September. He took upon him
self part of the blame for the procession
going into the church.
II knew where II was going" he ex-
planned. for had consulted with Charles
Moore OF the !. W. W. and AZ We were
passing the church l assured Tannen-
baum IL they came in there would he no
trouble. Tannenbaum wanted TO 20 to
the Judson Memorial Church. in Wash
ington Square. but when told him every
thing was all right at St Alphonsus's he
waived his objection"
Plunkitt told how Tannenbaum and
Detectives Giidea and Geegan had gone
up the steps together followed by the
crowd. He swore that Tannenbaum first
asked them TO wait until he could see II
they were welcome. He did see the priest,
who referred them to the rector Of the
church.
when Tannenbaum found We were not
welcome" Plunkitt continued. 'he held
out his hand to Father Schneider. but
the priest would not take It. Then Tan
nenbaum said: Come on. boys. We are
not wanted here and started to leave.
Geegan said: Come oil inside: We want
to see YOU Tannenbaum said II would
not be necessary to call the reserves, Al
he could get all the men to 20 with him.
but the police would not let us leave. While
waiting Tannenbaum shouted: II there Ii
any trouble here IL will be caused by the
police"
Joseph Albers and Louis Segal were
taken to court from the Tombs to testify
They are doing thirty days each for their
part In the procession. They said they
saw the men marching and thinking they
might get a square deal drifted along
Both swore there was no disorder
Patrick Carron. who said his home was
In Boston. said he stopped to hear the
speeches and did not realize what was
going on until arrested.
Michael Smith gave like testimony. All
agreed that the police would not let them
leave the church.
A half dozen reporters gave evidence
for the defence. Two newspaper photog-
raphers Identified pictures made inside the
church by them. They showed eight mer
with their hats on.