New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-12
Frenzied Crowd Kisses
Appeal to Conserve
Food
Refuses to Allow
Agent to Speak
Debate Between Cleveland
Mofett and Irish Leader
Called OFF

Four hundred adherents Of Jere-
miah A. OLeary. Of the American
Truth Society, the Friends Of Peace
and other alleged pro-German or
Plantations, last night participated IN
a frenzied denunciation Of the admin
istration's food conservation pro
rramme. hooted the name of Food Ad-
ministrator Herbert c.. Hoover, and
defed his efforts
Rising on their seats in Jefferson
Hall. Court Square, Brooklyn men
and women silenced Frederick K. Ser
ri. an agent Of the food administration,
with catcalls, sneers and screams OF
derision. He had tried to explain the
need for national economy and 70
Mead for consideration for the gov
ornment's conservation suggestions
The mob hooted his every sentence.
At last, exasperated, he shouted;
"The question resolves itself to tins
are YOU willing to abide by the sug-
gestions Of Hoover and assist the
United, States in the war;?
"No! Mo-" cried many in the crowd
Wen keep the food in America
.If YOU are not willing TO help win
the war" began the speaker, attempt
ING 20 make himself heard above the
babel Of Hoover invective, IF you
won't help, ! hope Germany VIII 90
the same thing to you as she did TO
Belgium" And Mr.. Serri retired be-
fore an avalanche of hooted opposition
Crowd Expected Debate
The crowd had gathered in the hall
in the belief that it would hear de-
hate between OLeary and Cleveland
Nofett. the author-patriot, on the sub
iect Of Irish Freedom" AS a side
show Deputy Police Commissioner Leon
C.. Cooley was scheduled TO defend the
course Of his department in suppress
ing recent OLeary street meetings
The crowd gathered early, only to
be told By Louis II. Pink, director OF
the PEOPLES Institute, which sponsored
the meeting, that lit had been thought
be-t 70 call off Mr.. Mohett and Mr..
Codlev because Of the inhamed state
Of public feeling" The announcement
further aroused the audience, and Mr..
Serri, introduced as a substitute Tor
Mr.. Mofett, was treated so badly by
the audience that, following his address,
the chairman protested.
II think this is what would be called
a disloyal audience" he said. 1T Is an
audience with which ! AM entirely out
of sympathy"-- He got no further.
Were not disloyal-take that back"
screamed a girl, Historically attempt
ing to rush the platform, while the
crowd supported her with a fire Of
Kisses and deIisive shouts.
"Why don't you put on Moffett ??
they yelled. "And where's O'Leary
Who's put the soft pedal on Ireland
We don't want TO hear about Hoover
We want to know about Ireland"
Despite the fact that believe you're
disloyal." proceeded Mr.. Pink when he
was able, Il believe every one who
does not preach sedition should be
heard. So I'm going to take the re-
possibility and let Mr.. O'Leary talk
OTeary Is Cheered
The followers Of OLeary worked
themselves into a frenzy of cheering
as he appeared. He regretted, he said
that the first speaker had not been
given an opportunity TO be heard.
"Yo4 have shown as much intoler'
ance." ne declared, sternly eying the
crowd, "as you yourselves have beer
suffering under. ! think the chairman
misunderstands this audience. Yor
feel, believe. that the programme haC
been changed and that the forum is not
fair to the subject scheduled for dis
cussion-Irish freedom. II the chair
man made the suggestion that you are
disloyal"--
Hes a liarl" interjected devote'
from the gallery.
Il think he misunderstands," tact
fully explained O'Leary.
The chairman. after due considera
ton. came % this conclusion himself
Al the close Of the meeting he reversed
his Judgment on the audiences dis
loyalty and deplored the absence o.
Irish blood" from his veins.
"Camoufage, commented the uncon
ciliatory gallery. but the audience flee
out in comparative order. The Grove
was composed principally Of OLearl
disciples few patriotic Phariseei
left the hall early in the proceedings
One. a gray-haired woman who brandet
herself as "Irish through and through
and with three sons in the trenches,
discounted the company as she in
dignantly strobe from the hall. J
member Of the Cooperative League o
America. d preliminary speaker VIII,
held the stage for three minutes
pleaded for cooperation in food pur
chasing
you'll get cooperation from thi
crowd" remarked the disguise,
mother OF three" you'll get nothint
hut disloyalty from this crazy crowd
Her surprise attack spiked the enemy
guns and she walked out unanswered.
M.-okto ~ ,.k~.