New-York tribune., 1918-11-22
Hundreds of Socialists Are
Searched at Webster
Hall by Authorities
Max Eastman Flags
"City Hall Autocrat''
Planned Discussion OF
Establishment of Soviet
of America

Four hundred persons who attended
Socialist meeting in Webster Hall,
Eleventh Street and Third Avenue, last
night were compelled by the police to
turn out their pockets, to throw up
their hands and to show, before they
sntered the building, that they carried
no red flags. It was the first action
taken by the police under Mayor Ely
lan's recent order 9orbidding the use
Of red flags at radical assemblages.
From z o'clock, when the meeting WAS
70 have begun to praise the Soviet gov
arnment of Russia and the Socialist
government of Germany, until almost 8
o'clock the crowd clamored and banged
at the door of the hall, while fifty po-
lcemen tried to search the pockets of
all. Finding this impossible, the police
finally hit upon the plan Of making the
crowd fall in line. Each person on
uassing into the hall was required to
hold up his hands while his clothing
underwent hasty inspection.
Men and women were patted upon
the back or upon pockets to see
whether they had any red emblems
concealed about them. The process
took almost two hours. and the original
crowd. of 800 before the meeting began
dwindled away to 400.
Captain John F. Sweeney, Of the 18th
Precinct, took charge of the job Of
RIDING the Socialists of red flags. His
search and that Of his fifty assistants
vas in vain, for no red ~,gs were
iound.
What inconvenience the crowd en-
Jared In getting In the hall was CON-
,spsated foz, in the minds Of the So
sialists, by the denunciation Of Mayor
Hylan by the speakers.
Plans Soviet OF America
Mas Eastman announced that the
meeting was called to discuss "the
establishment Of Soviet government
in America" But as soon as he got on
the stage he attacked Mayor Hylan for
issuing the anti-red flag order.
"That autocrat down at the City
Hall has decided that we may not
carry red flags up Fifth Avenue" said
Mr. Eastman.
That was enough to start the Social
sts to hiss and boo.
"The next thing he'll be telling US
IS that we may not wear red neckties,"
continued Eastman. "It would seem
that this meeting was very timely, for
hey don't do such autocratic things
N Russia, or even Germany now, and,
psrhaps, if we had Soviet govern
meat here we wouldn't be doing them
aere."
To Make Five Demands
Eastman said the Socialists were
going to demand five things of the gov
eminent.
These are" he said, .shat the CEN
sorship dictated by that slave driver
tom the South Mr. Burleson, must
nd. That Creel, whose mission is to
gorify the President and work for the
perpetuation of the present regime,
nust get out. That Immediately after
'eaee is signed the political prisoners
u this country, including Eugene V.
Debs, the I. ". W. boys Tom Mooney,
Itnns Goldman, Alexander Berkman
snd others, must be liberated. That our
American soldiers now commanded By
Japanese general in Russia to fur
'oer the interests of the capitalist gov
einments Of England, France, Japan
nd this country must be returned
aorie. That the constant 'vilihcation'
u the Soviet government of Russia
'aust stop"
Would Bar Garden Use
Madison Square Garden may be
:'sasd to the Socialists who planned
. hold a mass meeting there next
3ondsy night.
The management of the Garden told
'aiius Gerber, secretary of the New
ok County Socialists. yesterday, that
9e possibility OF the Socialists turn
~ the meeting into red flag demon
ssa'ion in violation Of Mayor Hylan's
yfasr 10 inc police to prohibit the use
inc emblem, may result in can
'as.on Of arrangements.
Ar. Gerber said yesterday the mass
aeesins had been planned long before
"ssor Hylan's order wag issucd.
it was not the purpose to hold The
netting amply TO give people an op-
''stnnity to wave the red fag." ht
saia. There ara lot Of subjects thu
si1ssg want 70 discuss in public
ne manager Of the Garden becam'
afsnsd when he thought great dele
sd'icn Of police would be present x
,sppfess' red fags. SO he has givcr
''s notice that he will have TO consul
'''ss wno control the Garden before
hnally decides 10 let ns use it,"
although Old Glory was the only fla,
sv#h at she Eoisheyist mass meeting
Ii.'.s .ae ~ev Star Casino last night, rev
sssshonary feeling WAS rampant. Dig
plss cf Lenine and TYotzky swayc.
~ ~ PACKED hall 70, a frenzy of appiaus.
* invoked & great swfsh of hisse
ssheyer the name of Mayor HylaI
~ mentioned in connection With hi
oD the red flag