New Britain herald., 1917-08-23
CLEVELAND MOFFETT
 GOES OVER THE TOP
But He Finds An Angry Mob
 Waiting to Repel Attack

against soap box oratory, went over the top'' last night in a one man charge on a street meeting of the Friends of Ireland, in Thirty seventh street, between Broadway and Sixth avenue He precipitated a near riot, in which 1000 men, women and urchins joined. When it was all over the writer had been severely beaten, but was still militant.
 For ten minutes, before the flash light system of the police department called all the Tenderloin policemen to the spot, and five stations had time to rush up their reserves, the street mob kicked, pounded and bruised the liter ary crusader, tore his clothing and created the widest scene that the sec tion had known for years.
 The meeting of the Friends of Ire- land was scheduled for 8 o'clock At that hour stephen Johnson, national organizer; William O'Laughlin, Shane Conway and Miss Margaret Curley, niece of the mayor of Boston, ap- peared at the speakers stand.
 An afternoon paper had announced that Moffett had made up his mind Ito go over the top'' when the meet ing began and hundreds of persons of militant activities. Not one of the expectant spectators suffered the slightest disappointment.
 Across the street from the speak CTS stand Moffett stood in the door way of s. Karten & Bros furniture store. With him were United States Marshal Thomas D, Mccarthy, a ste nographer, two plain clothes police men and a stenographer who came up from the office of the police com missioner. An extra police honor guard, consisting of Inspector James Bolan, Capt. William A. Bailey and Lieut. Weeks, hung about the fringes of the crowd and listened to the chat.
 "This is the first time in my life," said Stephen Johnson, opening the ball, that ever said a good word for Mayor Mitchell. but I am glad to say that he has come out for free speech in spite of the strong influences that have beeu brought to bear against us"
 Johnson praised Police Commits sioner Woods for refusing to inter- fere with public meetings. referred at first rather innocently to Cleveland Moffett and then said that it had been reported that MT. Moffett had select. ed the evening as an appropriate time to "go over the top.''
 Attack on Moffett.
 II don't know what he meant by that" said the speaker, unless he meant going over like the soldiers do. and they generally go over back ward"
 Then he called MT. Moffett a one cent magazine writer who was "mak- ing a three cent a word contract, and said that any persons who had come to an Irish meeting expecting to hear sedition preached would be disappointed He called attention to the Sixty-ninth Regiment as the first of our troops to start for France from the National Guard, and added:
 "But if I was in the war depart ment I would send some of the sol- diers to England to chase some of the slackers to the firing line"
 Then he let loose the reference which started Moffett on his charge.
 "The presence of this big crowd, said Josnson, "and it's enthusiasm and fair play, and the orderly manner in which it behaves shows the true spirit of America and it's attitude toward free speech. Compare it with the at titude of Cleveland Moffett, and your spirit makes his spirit damned un- American"
 From the recesses of the furniture doorway dark figure came into the street.
 ''I am Cleveland Moffett,'" he shout ed
 The crowd, waiting for something to start, yelled with combined derision and glee Women joined the men in loud groans at the mention of the name.
 'I object to being called un-Ameri- can," shouted Moffett. II am as proper an American as you are" The crowd made a dash for him, pulled his tie, tore his clothes, and kicked his shins.
 Three cheers for the American fag!" shouted the belabored Moffett. The crowd quit kicking him long l enough to give the cheers. Then they resumed business at the old stand and ] 8 general fight began. Don't touch himS' yelled Johnson. ! Leave him alone. He is here trying 1 to cause just such a situation Three cheers for President Will son!" shouted Moffett from the press of angry humanity that walled about 1 him.
 The crowd cheered again in re- l sponse to the call, and then returned l to the task of spelling MT. Moffett S l raiment.
 l Kill him!' shouted a great chorus in which the voices of many women 1 were heard.
 Ten minutes of undue liberties with [ MT. Moffett's person had elapsed when the police reserves trotted into action As they came along Johnson from his 1 high perch demanded:
 l Escapes From Police. l The police re-enforcements pushed