South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-28
DEBS REPRIMANDED
FOR GIVING TALK
AT CAPITAL DEPOT
Socialist Leader Called for
Delivering Address With
out Permit.

ASHINGTON. Dec. 27.-Received
by Pres't Harding from Atlanta
federal penitentiary where he was
serving a ten year sentence for max
ing speeches in violation of the war
laws. Eugene V. Debs, socialist
leader. was reprimanded Tuesday
night by Union station police force
here for making a speech without a
permit before leaving for his homs
in Terre Haute, Ind.
Before boarding his train Debs
addressed a crowd of several hun
dred persons in the station, includ-
ing admirers who had come 10 cay
goodbye, expressing his gratitude
for his reception in Washington and
closing with a Federation Of his OPP
position to war and belief in the
force OF love in the redemption Of
the world. No effort was made by
uniformed police in the crowd to
interfere with the address. but i'm
mediately upon its conclusion a
pIainclothesman rushed up to Debs
and demanded if he had a permit
to speak in the station and upon be-
ing informed in the negative, de-
clared:
You have taken a great liberty"
Debs Boards Train.
Debs. who had grasped the plain
clothesman by the hand under the
impression that he was well
wisher. apologized and said he had
not known he was doing wrong.
Debs went Immediately TO his train,
but considerable excitement pre-
vailed in the crowd, due chiefly to
the efforts of newspapermen to learn
the identity Of the plainclOthesman.
he refused to give his name, but
after rather excited pickering with
reporters, declared he was the
chief Of police of the Union station
and flashed a badge pinned to his
belt. He said he had no special
orders with respect to Debs, but
that the regulations Of the station
forbid speech making without a
permit.
Debs' speech was his first plat
form utterance since leaving prison.
II wish" he said. ito do myself the
justice TO return my grateful thanks
for the kindness shown me here. I
also wish 10 express my gratitude TO
the representatives OF the press
the representatives OF the Fourth
Estate - whose courtesy. fairness
and kindness have been beyond ex-
preston"
Many disagree with me IN an
economic and social way" he add
ed. but we are all human and one
touch of nature makes the whole
world kin" Debs declared that he
left Washington without a trace Of
bitterness or hatred" adding that
many hate me" but that they are
entitled 70 their feelings and the
expression OF them.
Free Speech.
Il believe in free speech" he
said. I'm the expression OF these
differing opinions we find our way
20 higher civilization" He paid
tribute to figures In history who
had. he declared. the courage Of
their convictions although forced TO
sacrifice much for them and re-
ferred TO Washington, Jefferson ana
Thomas Payne who first wrote the
words United States as those who
at first misunderstood. won an i'm
mortality OF glory With every
drop Of blood in my veins" he con-
Guided. y am opposed 10 war.
Human life Is too sacred a thing TO
be spent in bloodshed. Love is the
greatest force in this world, love
Will redeem US. love will save IA
and write our names in the depths
OF civilization"
Debs and his party are scheduled
TO reach Indianapolis az 1880 p. m
Wednesday and proceed from there
70 Terre Haute. planning 20 reach
the socialist leaders hone about Z
o'clock Wednesday night in time for
a demonstration OF welcome which
is said 20 have been arranged for
him. with HIM on the train were
his brother. Theodore. David Kars-
ner, his biographer, and Miss Celia
Trotter and Mrs. Bertha White. both
OF the Debs freedom league.
Spends Busy Day.
Debs spent the day here seeing
callers. being interviewed and rest
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