The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-28
ALDERMAN'S FIST IS
BUSY IN BIG MIXUP
Meeting Of "Soldicrs, Sailors
and Marines" Closed by
Naval Officer.
SEDITION TALK CHARGED
Beckermann, Socialist. and Col.
Inns in WOrdy War Over
Work and Patriotism.

After a near fight between Aldermen
in which the accusation OF sedit!on Vas
passed and threats to knock blocks on
were made. warrant officer OF the navy
and his beach guard closed the soldiers
sailors and marines meeting last might
in the Rand School of Social Science
The fighting men met ostensiblv TO md
means OF getting employment, but soon
the meeting took on political tone AM
finally resolved itself into a near riot
through the, declaration of Aldormar
Beckermann, a Socialist, that democracy
means that one can say anything any.
where that he pleases.
He then was accused of being about
TO utter a seditious remark by Alder.
man William Collins. a Democrat and
commissioned officer in the United States
Aviation Corps, who rushed TO him and
held his fist ready to swing on the So
cialist the moment anything OF a sedi-
tious nature was said. In the meantime
Alderman Collins shouted in the fac.
Of Alderman Beckermann: Your talks
stirring up sedition.''
81 have my commission in the army
boys" Capt. Collins said in an aside TO
tho few soldiers and sailors present
then again concentrated his attention
upon the Socialist. Don't you denoun'e
this country. capt. tolilns hhouVH
"If you do I'll knock your block of -
He lowered over the astounded Socialist
who found his voice long enough -
say: That's all right about knocking
my block off -
Soldier Calls II n Frameup.
What more he intended to say ives
checked by a soldier in the audience
rising and shouting: This is frameup
from the gallery. I see II all now-Bol'
shevism I'll not lend my presence to
such a meeting. 60 lie left, and eight or
nine other soldiers left with him.
Warrant Officer C. Madsen, who had
previously told the chairman. dis
charged sailor. to tone down the meet.
ing, walked down the centre aisle. and
with his hand resting lightly on his hip
where an automatic was resting ordered
the meeting closed. II was, but not be-
fore a resolution was passed, so the
chairman said, by shouting vote In
which the city OF New York was 40
cused OF having made no plans TO pa
cure permanent employment for men
discharged from the army and navy
1t was this resolution, which alss
stated that "while we appreciate M
welcome OF the city. we oppose the diver
sion OF any large sums of money foi
entertainment when no provision hat
been made to secure for us decent jobs
at decent wages. under decent condl'
tions," that started the trouble wh'ct
finally resulted In police reserves h"in'
sent to assist the naval guard In case
assistance was needed
Collins Demands Correction.
Following the reading of the resolu'
ton by Isaac Weitz, who introduced i
4. Lavitt. the chairman, tried to secure
it's passage. Alderman Collins inter
rupted, saying that the caluse relating
to the city having made no plans
should be stricken out because It was
erroneous LAS a matter of fact h
said. 1.-THE city is getting employment fo'
200 fighting men daily"
Alderman Beckermann listened indu'.
gently and admitted that the city has IN
employment bureau, and then suggested
the clause be retained with the insertion
OF the word adequate to make lie
text read having made no adequate
plans"
The chairman Numbered at Alderman
Collins. demanding to be shown what
plans the city had made. He aga y 'y-
planned that the city has an emr.o'u..t
bureau and that it is doing al e ~
just now and asked him to make sug
gestions as to how il can 90 more.
"lf you can give us a better plan ~
make any suggestions whereby We ca7
hetters ours, I'll see that IL Is prt into
force Immediately" Alderman 'o.W
said. But the c4airman was Arm Hs
insisted upon putting the resolutio7 he-
fore the house az it stood, ignoring ne
obvious mistake.
The impression given by Alderman
Beckermann was that the Goverun e.
was not only in the attitude of aha ia
ing them after they had fought FOR 't.
Government, but is cheapcnrg Wase'
as well. The same soldier that Wa
paid 81 a day the day the arm!s,lec vs'
signed, is now offered $3.50 day 'o'
the same work--taioring. And J want
to say" He did say something winch
some indignant persons in the audience
denounced.
Americans Leave the Hall.
But Beckermann had sympathetic
audience except for few persons "''
declared themselves Americans IN co.
timent Rather than fight with tAa o.
form they themselves wore tIev -'
the meeting. But Isaac, Atte and Ma
rice remained TO join Rose Rch'c'a
and Sadie outside as they came down
from the appla uding gallery alto a
meeting was over and the pre',H2s'
prepared typewriter resolution d
been passed
The chairman was Threatened v"N
arrest by officer Madseu. who told lr
Ia quiet the meeting or close = ny Ih'
command rather quoted the chairman
but he insisted that lie had r,Gl' %
do what he was doing. AS the la, t.'
closed behind Officer Madscu ca 'oH
I.avitt said: mo one can scare Pc with
threats of arrest. THIS is a legitimate
meeting and We are not prel,h.ur s-t-
ton"
Then Alderman Beckermaun 41' :
to defend the chairmau'I attitude. s,..
ing he had right to say lr>
pleased in this democracy ot u.r.
You haven't" interrupted '' -
mot anything seditious at ,,rt re'
DO you know what deTo.Is.
questioned Beckermauu 81. r0
what II is, A right to say
anywhere Won please that's N.f
ocracy is and I'm going 90 81. "'
please"
And as lie declared himself N'.s-r-"
Collins made a Tying rush FOR
ing Alderman, vino was stand .'-
floor just in front and below ' -.
platform. 1t was there he st. ~
Beckermanu ready 10 strike N g. '.
seditious remark
The Aldermen, together wl.
man Fa'kner, had been invite.
| hgh'ing men styling tNNus, ..-
soldiers, Sailors and Narinr-
tive Association TO address 'hs~.
question az unemploy mout. .a''.
search failed To disclose Ut...-
, audience There were only
diers and sailors. certainly -.'
sentative of the army and nav .. AGO. .
ing to officers OF both ser ..rc. N.l 80