The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-03-12
Head of Police Board Who
Is Also Interested in Mum
itions Plant Criticised By
Citizens for Denying
Right Of Free Speech at
Proposed Mass Meeting.
Bluecoats Wouldn't Let
Socialists Hold Discussion
Of Principles = Protest
Made to Supt. Redgate
But That Official Is Mum
-Ulterior Motive Sus-
pected.

That the police committed
serious blunder when they in
terfered and refused to recog-
nize the constitutional rights OF
a party Of pacifists to hold a
meeting yesterday afternoon in
Bohemian hall is today ad-
mitted in official circles.
Denying the right to hold a meet
ing, to Jasper McLevy, John Sullivan.
Fred Cederholm, William Kovics, r.
J. Davis and Roger Payne, Social
ists-who emphatically deny they in
tended making unpatriotic or un-
American speeches-a squad OF traffic
policemen, and members Of the detec-
tive bureau headed by Capt. E.. O.
Cronan, closed Bohemian hall and re-
fused 4 to- allow anyone to enter the
building.
Supt;: Redgate, who got his orders
from John c.. Stanley, chairman of the
police board and president Of the
American & British Co., decided yes
terday to squelch any attempt of the
Socialists to hold a meeting.
The committee in charge OF the
gathering had engaged Sokol hall, but
Stanley told Redgate to inform the
owners Of Solco1 hall they had better
not incur the diapleasure Of the police
by allowing the meeting in their
building. The Solrol hall management
then refused to let their hall, and the
cen1mdtt tee. sengased Bohemian hail.
Supt. Redgate when asked to make
a statement on the Illegal and high
handed proceeding replied this morn
ing, II have nothing to say
"A committee OF Socialists this MORN
ing protested to Redgate. The latter
when asked what justification he gave
the committee or what conversation
took place between him and the COM
mittee replied:
81 told them just what I am tell.
ing you, Nothing"
The subject which circulars stated
would be discussed at the meeting
was, "Shal1 We Be Lead into War
Refused to Be Slaughtered; War on
War;" Nearly 800 persons had as
semi bled to listen to the addresses
but found on their arrival with the
speakers, that a policeman was sta
toned at each door.
It was asserted to-day that Stanley
as the president Of concern manu-
featuring war munitions, would natu>--
ally oppose any efforts on the part OF
Socialists or other organizations to
keep the nation out Of war, but they
maintained that inasmuch as pecu-
mary interests, make it impossible for
him to act impartially as head Of the
police commission, he should resign
from office.
Stanley refused to-day to discuss
the case or make any statement. In
asnnlch as Redgate was merely carry
ing out his orders the entire blame for
the blunder rests with Stanley. In
tense feeling has been aroused by the
action Of the police and an indigna-
tion meeting, where resolutions will
be passed calling for The resignation
Of "the manufacturer Of war muni-
tons, whose absolute control OF the
police department has resulted in the
sitting Of free speech and the rob-
sbing Of citizens of their constitutional
right" is being arranged
Apparently realizing the blunder he
had made, Mr.. Stanley this afternoon
hurrfedly made a statement in which
he. claimed the committee failed to
obtain permit to hold a Sunday
meeting, and the gathering was dis-
persed because Of the attempted yio.
lation in this way Of the laws Of thu
municipality.