New Britain herald., 1920-10-13
RIGHT OF FREE SPEECHES
 BEING TESTED BY ARRESTS
 OF POLITICAL SPOKESMEW
Norwich and Mount Vernon in Midst of Legal Fights to Determine Where Rights End.
RALLY TAKERS ARE
 TAKEN INnO CUSTODY

Norwtch. Oct. 13.--Mra. Elizabeth Glendowcr Evans of BrookIino. Mass. D. who spoka on the street here last night as representing tho American Civil Liberties Union and was arrest ed with Albert T. Boardman. a social ist speaker. charged with disobeyinF an order of m officer, was discharged today. Boardman wHs nncd Sa5 and costs.
 JudEo John II. Barnes after review i. ing tho evidence which tho poIica offered said ho believed Mrs. Evan, meant to obey tho order Of tho police to movo on. As to Boardman Che court said ho disobeyed tho ordinance of the city of Norwich by refusing to obey tho police officer. Boardman appealed from tho fine. This is the second tima Boardman haH been lined for refusing to obey an officer. Ho spoke on tho street without a permit on Labor Day and tho officer claimed ho caused an obstruction of traffic. An appeal is pending.
 It has been announced that this was test of the right of freo speech and the next instance will be at Waterbury, October IS, when Bishop Paul Jones. Former Bishop of Utah Ia announced s tho probable speaker.
 Mnyor First Witness.
 The city was represented by City Attorney Lee Robbins while the de- tendants had Harry l.. Edlin Of New ! Haven. as counsel. The first witness was Mayor Herbert M. Lerou who in cnswcr to Mr. Robbins told of T tele- l phonic conversation he had with Mir. 1 Boardman previous to the meeting i last night The witness said that in | that conversation Bonrdman was noti- | led that if he persisted in carrying | nut plans for n street meeting which | would cause a blockade of trafilc ! Nrrest, would follow. Boardman re- [ piled. according to rho mayor: |
 "That is what we want you to do.'
 City Attorney Robbins asked tho mayor how ho know such meeting was to bo held. The reply whs that first knowledge came from liternturo which had been distributed on the streets.
 Discusses Free Speech Attorney Ediin read from pro vision tn the state constitution which { ls to the effect that no law may Do passed which hall abridEo tha freo- dom of speech" He asked Mayor Lsrou:
 Do you know of any law or ordi- nance of the city Of norwich to pro- ssbit speak on the streets 1f the cityi'
 ' Tho mayor replied no"
 Mir. Edlin asked the mayor if he had spoken to MT. Boardman about phstruction of city streets and the mayor satd he had. The mayor de- uied ever stating to MT. Boardman that under no circumstances could tho meeting he hold whether or not the streets were ohstructcd. The mayor told of other street meetings held for which permtssion has been given Mir. Boardman.
 Woman Forced to stay.
 Police Sergeant John II. Kane told of the arrest of Mrs. Evans and pos rdman. When told to stop speak ing Mrs Evans told the crowd that Adjournment would bo taken to steiners hall. She attempted to get out of the automobile but was stop ped by Boardman who said that won't do."
 Mrs Evans got back into the ma chine and at that time the witness placed Boardman under arrest. Tho , Aergeant said he was not certain. but , Thought Mrs. Evans spoke 9 second , time.
 onicer Daniel o'Ncir acorroborated . Sergeant Ksne's testimony. except i that Inc did not think Mrs. Evans spoke d second time because he did , not tnink sne hnu tune 10 do so.
 Mrs. Elizabeth c. Evans 6i, stated , on the witness stand that she had ] rad tho provisions of the constitu- lion of Connecticut in regard 70 free speech and she believed she was ex- ercising q right in speaking on the street given her by that constitution. rhe said m officer had told her of an order that might stop her speaking, ! before tho meeting. She told of the ,rrest. and said she did not remem- Der saying anything to the crowd again when -re-entering tho machine.
 Accuses Mayor.
 Albert T. Boardman, the second defendant. said he had spoken on the streets of Norwich sovoral times dur lna tho past fifteen years of his resi- , nence hero. He told of converSa- | tlon with tho mayor by telephone during which. he said. the mayor puid:
 "t understand you favo advertised | n meeting for tomorrow night" Wit , nesa replied "I have" Tho wItncsl , said that tho mayor said: .
 of you do hold that meeting there | will bo arrests" Boardman salA ha re- piled A,
 Go apd." uo also said that not ! n word was said over tko telephone about blocking trafTie. He also said that in calling MrH, Evans hack into the machine he told her she had 1, { -...taaf .fw .~as lt .t.r | [