New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-04
Even Judge Smiles at John
Reeds Story of Arrest
in Paterson
Police Agent Too Slow
Stenographer Fails in Two
Tests to Transcribe An
archist's Speech

Lincoln Stefrens and John Reed took
the stand in the Criminal Branch of
the United States Circuit Court yes
torday in behalf Of Emma Goldman and
Alexander Berkmsn. the anarchist lead
ers on trial for conspiracy against the
draft act
The chief object in calling them
&c show the effect Of the writings of the
accused upon them-was defeated by
objections Of Harold A. Content, As
sistant United States Attorney. Judge
Mayer ruled that this line Of question
ing was not germsne.
You've been convicted Of crime,
haven't you ," asked Mr.. Content of Mr..
Reed on contamination.
NO" said the writer. "But will
tell you what you are driving at. Dur
ing the Paterson strike | was employed
as a reporter on a New York newspa-
per. was assigned to coTer the strike.
" nile at work as a reporter in Pater-
son a policeman said: Get 70 h
cut of here!' asked him for mis- num-
Der, that might make a complaint
against him. He arrested me. When
was srraigned in court asked the
Judge: What is the charge" The
Judge replied: Thirty days"
There was a roar OF laughter al this,
in which Judge Mayer although he
tried hard to keep a straight face,
finally Joined.
Lincoln Stefcns Is Gallant
When Mr.. Steffens was called as a
witness Miss Goldman asked him il he
knew her. He said he had known her
for long time.
How did you come to know me? :"
asked Miss Goldman.
my paper assigned me 10 cover your
first speech in Union Square an
swered Mr.. Stefens.
How mahy years ago was that
IL would not care to say how many"
said the writer, with a bow.
81 don't mind saying" said Miss
Goldman, blushing. at was back in
1898"
Berkman also caused laugh in his
examination of Mr.. Steifens. He asked
the witness if he knew what his repu-
tation was for peace and quiet. Mr..
Content objected. saying that the
proper question was: What IS my
reputation for truth and veracity -
Rcrkman. with a show Of indignation,
exclaimed: 1T is beneath my dignity
to ask such a question"
At the start Of yesterdays session
the government introduced the anti
CONSUMPTION articles in The Blast
and Mother Earth" William n.
Randolph, Police Department stenog-
rapher, then was called by the govern
ment. He read speech he said Miss
Goldman made at the Hunts Point
meeting on June 1, on the eve OF Regis
tration Day.
Police Stenographer Fails
We believe in violence and VIC will
use violence" was one OF the state
ments attributed to Miss Goldman by
the police stenographer
Answering Miss Goldman's cross
examination. Randolph said ne could
trarscribe at rate not exceeding 10
words A minute, and that he recorded
Miss Goldman's speech while standing
on q table. Miss Goldman then asked
the witness 10 stand up and transcrioe
while she read from the speech he SAID
she made at Hunts Point When MISS
Goldman had gone on for about ten
seconds he stopped taking notes, ex-
claiming: "She IS going 700 fast. That
is faster than she spoke that night
Judge Mayer then counted out one
hundred and twenty-five words and
had Miss Goldman read them. lie OBJ
served il was done in forty seconds.
Again the police stenographer failed TO
follow her.
Two public stenographers who have
been employed By Miss Goldman said
that it was impossible for any one
who could not take two hundred words
a minute to transcribe her speeches
The trial will be resumed to-mor-
row.