The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-08-28
LAvIT FINED
 S25 BY COURT FOR DISTURBANCE
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 meeting of the strikers had opened, and attempted to gain adm!ttance to tho building. IIe was halted by Of ficer Edward J. Crowley. who told him that he had orders to prevent him, I.avit. from entering the hall. Lavit immediately communicated with his attorney, Lawrence s. Finklestonc. and acting upon the lawyers alleged advice, came back and made a delib- crate attempt to enter the hall. He was placed under arrest by Officer Crowley.
 Tn court Crowley testified that he had received his orders from Capt. Coley.
 Captain Coley mounted the stand and passed the buck for the order to Supt. John II. Redgate of the po- lice department. The captain verified Crowlcy's story of the arrest. While testifyinE, Captain CoIey attempted to answer n question after an obicc- ton had been raised by Attorney Finklestone. and was severely cen sured by the lawyer, who was of the opinion that the captain should know court methods better than to attempt to reply to an interrogation after an objection had been raised.
 Superintendent John IT. Redgate admitted that he had granted a per init for the meeting with the under standing that Lavit would not be al- lowed to attend. The superintendent issued this permit to John J. Egan, of Machinists' Local No He. The permit provided for a meeting of members of the local and strikers of the Graphophone Company Upon this fact, the superintendent based his contention that Lavit should not appear inasmuch as he is not a mem Der of either organization. Superin- tendent Redgato also stated that he feared trouble would develop if the business agent was allowed to attend the session.
 When Lavit returned to Colonial hall the second time, in company with his lawyer, there was a discussion be- tween the superintendent, Lavit and the attorney. It is alleged that the police official refused to give his req sons for preventing Lavit from en- tering the hall. A committee sent downstairs by the strikers attempted to arbitrate the matter, but met with no success.
 It is alleged that Chairman Calia- han, as a member of the committee, asked Lavit to go away and avert trouble. Lavit told Callahan that he. Lavit. had the majority with him. Callahan is said to have admitted this fact, and also to have stated that or dcrs from Cup above" was the only thing which prevented Iavit's attend ing the meeting.
 While presenting his own side of the case. Iavit declared that he was
 Al. tee, and his presence was desired in the hall He stated that he had a resolution ready to present to the meeting, which if adopted. would have settled the strike. Lavit also claimed that he hired the hall yes- terday afternoon, held tho key to the place, and wrote the letter containing the request for a permit to hold the meeting. A subcommittee of the general strike committee, consisting of Frank J. Moriarity, Christopher Curran and a Miss Palmer, substan- tiated Lavit's statements. Other members of the general committee also testified that Lavit was wanted at the meeting yesterday afternoon.
 It was also brought out that Eagan's name was tackled onto the permit request at the last minute. and the stipulation regarding Lavit was agreed to by Eagan and Superinten- dent Redgate without consulting the other members of the committee.
 In his defense of Lavit, Attorney Finklestone directed his attack chief ly against the right of Superintendent Redgate to bar anyone from a public meeting, and against the constitution ality of the City ordinance which provides that a permit must be se- cured for all public gatherings.
 The state based the prosecution on the fact that Lavit actually commit ted a breach of the peace when he attempted to enter Colonial hall in direct defiance of tho police officers who had warned him away.