Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

West Side auditorium, and we are now
disbanded-'
fore the advent of the police was to
appoint a nominating committee. This
committee was said to have power to
act as an executive committee
The members of the nominating COM
mittee are Prof. Robert NJ. Lovett, Uni
versity of Chicago; Victor Berger. Mil
waukee. James Salutsky. New York
Mary Winsor. Philadelphia: Emily
Stevens, Delaware: Sara Bard Field.
San Francisco, and l. Maybrick. San
Antonio. Tex.
Acted on Governors Order.
The summary breaking up Of the meet
ing by the police on order from the gov
ernor, added Illinois to the forbidden
states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Utah.
Gov. Lowdens attention was called to
the meeting by the Chicago Chamber of
Commerce. which alleged that the gather
ing was "avowedly antagonistic to our
national purposes in the present world
crisis"
take the situation in hand. but changed
his mind and got Chief of Police Schuett-
ler on the long distance telephone. The
latter at once dispatched Wesley H.
westbrook, the assistant chief. with
twenty men in automobiles to the West
Side Auditorium. where the meeting was
Mayor Thompson did not see the situa-
ton as did the governor. The mayor was
at his summer home at the suburb Of
Lake Forest.
Il can do nothing to prevent them from
meeting in Chicago" he said over the
telephone. "Pacifsts are law-abidins
Chief schuettler is Thompson ap-
pointee, but he did not hesitate to fol-
low Instructions from the governor.
Had the meeting proceeded with or
dinary speed an executive committee,
such as was contemplated to give the
organization permanency. might have
been elected before the police arrived.
for the delegates were in session for
three hours before the sudden climax.
Stedman, the local socialist leader.
was chosen temporary chairman
and credentials committee was form
ed Stedman was chosen permanent
chairman of the meeting, and Mr.. Loch-
ner. secretary, and the nominating COM
mittee was chosen.
The nominating committee. however,
was unable to meet. because of the po-
lice. 1t was reported that they met
privately elsewhere later.
The scene of the meeting. before the
arrival Of the police. was in sharp
contrast to the disorder which many
had expected The West Side Audi
terium is situated in the cosmopolitan
district of the west side of Chicago. and
that neighborhood was observing a
tains were down: shops for the most
part were idle. and there was scarcely
any one on the streets.
Police swoop Down on Stage.
The place was provided with plain
chairs, and at one end was stage used
for entertainments. 1t was this lit
tie stage that the police. like actors,
brought the meeting to a climax
There had been rumors that the SOL
diers were coming. but they did not
there would be no interruption. The
police made no noise in their approach
nor was there other warning. A dele
gate was trying to straighten out a
followed by twenty of his men, SID
denly appeared. He marched straight
on to the stage and delivered the gov
ernor's mandate. Raising his hand for
silence. Westbrook said:
On orders of Gov. Lowden the chief
of police has instructed me to disperse
this meeting You may go peacefully
at once. There will be no discussions.
If you do not go Immediately. you will
he arrested and charged with holding
an unlawful assemblage
StedTnan smiled grimly and stepped
and tried to speak. but was sternly or
dsred from the room by Westbrook-
heluSe TO make Arrests
As he was leaving the hall Stedman
determined to make test case of the
matter and stopped. An officer took him
by the arm and started for a patrol box
Then the policeman let him go.
Il thought l was under arrest" pro-
tested Stedman
Go long with you now: go long with
YOU; move out Of this" replied the blue
coat. grinning. He declined to take the
chairman into custody. Several radicals
insisted that they wanted. to be put in
Jail, but the officers. after leading them
gently toward the patrol box. disappointed
them with curt dismissals.
After the police had released Stedman
groups Of pacifists gathered around him
TO determine what to do. Some one sug-
gested hiring a boat and holding the
meeting in Lake Michigan.
In the lake. nothing" exploded Sted-
man Were going to hold our meetings
right here in Chicago. But we are not
going to break the law. Well go before a
Judge and file injunction proceedings to
deternine what we can do. / don't be-
leve we viii start anything, though. until
Monday"
Then the delegates dispersed, leaving
only bluecoated guards at the doors OF
the hall