The New York herald., 1922-02-03
HIRSHFIELD IGNORES
FREE SPEECH in HIS
.BIRTHLEAGUEPRODE
Fails to Delye Into Object
Set Forth in Asking
Raid Investigation.
SEEKS ANARCHIST LINK
But Commissioner Fails to
Connect Emma Goldman
With Scheme Here.
SAY THEY OBEY LAWS
Members Scout Theory That
Old Men Only Are Inter
ested in Movement.
SAY THEY OBEY LAWS


ION the Town Hall birth control meet
ing got under way yesterday before
David Hirshfield, Commissioner Of Ac-
counts. who by his questioning Of
witnesses apparently sought to estab-
lish three things. These were:
That the Birth Control League and
Emma Goldman, the deported an
archist, are working hand in glove.
That the Birth Control leaguers seek
70 break the law.
That only old men are interested in
birth control.
The inquiry was ordered by Mayor
Hylan upon protest by committee
OF ten prominent citizens. headed by
Paul D. Cravath, who contended the
raid was an unwarranted police inter-
ference with free speech. Commits
Nsioner Hirshfield in his inquiry yes
say completely ignored that phase
! Sc tfe matter and devoted his ques-
tons solely to the subject of birth con-
troll propaganda.
That the Birth Control League Is
in any way interested in or with
Emma Goldman was branded as RI
liculous, however good an excuse for
police interference it might have pro-
vided. The witnesses denied also that
I they had or have any intention Of
breaking any law. their purpose being
TO have the law changed.
&
Buckner witnesses Absent.
The hearing brought out that COM
missioner Hirshfieid had failed to sum-
mon witnesses desired by Emory r.
T:uckner, formerly Assistant District
s-Attorney, who is counsel for the conn
ialttee Of nine. headed by Paul D. Cra-
vath. upon whose plea Mayor Hylan
ordered the Commissioner to investigate
the police raid.
Among those witnesses were Capt
Thomas Donahue OF the West Forty
seventh street police station, who broke
up the Town Hall meeting. ailegcdiy at
the request OF Archbishop Patrick J.
Hayes; Patrolman Thomas Gaine and
William Davis, vino arrested Mrs. Mar
garet Sanger and Miss Mary Windsor
at the Town Hall meeting, and various
clerks and Officials at the hearing be-
fore Chief Inspector William J. Lahey
w nlch resulted in the arrest Of Mrs.
George II. Rublee.
Another surprising development was
the testimony Of Monroe Block. 5 West
Sererty-third street. that the stenogra-
uhic transcript Of the testimony given
before Inspector Lafey omits important
parts.
Mr.. Duckner commented that the tran
script was of IAN extraordinary charac-
+sr." and expressed. therefore, that be
drslred the presence of the witnesses
ty'non1 hs had requested to be subpr-
nAed.
women Applaud Points.
The hearing chamber was crowded
with fasbionably dressed women. most
o: them birth control sympathizers,
who expressed their approval Of points
scored by Mr.. Buckner by gloved ap-
,,luuse. Among them were Mrs. Otto
II. Kahn, Mrs. Elliott schenck. Mrs.
Dexter Blagden, Mrs. Winthrop Nc
lslrn. Mrs. Cecil Barrett. Mrs. A. b.
Aaee and Mrs. Richard Billings.
When Commissioner Hirshfield ar
rived. accompanied by aspolicenan. he
looked over the crowd.
oIs Mrs. Margaret Sanger here?'' he
demanded.
sIoner. when he got an amrmattve
reply.
A slight woman. arose. The Commits
sioner gazed at her. ana Then said:
That viii be all. I just wanted to
see what YOU look Hike"
Mrs. Lewis L. Delaficid, vice-chair-
man OF the Town, Hall meeting, testi-
ned that as soon as the gathering was
called to order Capt Donahuc inter-
rupted the proceedings and q police
4 L.
front of each person who undertook to
make "a speech. The meeting. was dis
rupted she said. without word being
said about birth control, and Mrs.
Sanger and Miss Windsor were arrested.
Seek Advice by Doctors.
Mrs. Dslafieid. who has two children.
the youngest 81, said than the league
seeks TO make II legally possible for
licensed physicians to give information
icgarding birth control.
Don't you know that Emuan Goldman
advocated birth cs:.fs5sr' asked the
Commissioner.
) II do not know Emma Goldman or
inything about her convictions" replied
Mrs. DelafieId.
IT'S the Birth Control League inter-
ested In any way In the Goldman casc?'
Mr.. Hirshfieid continued.
we are not interested in any persons
who violate the law" was the repiy.
Commissioner Hirshficld referred re-
bcatedIy to complaints made In Special
Sessions several years ago against
Emma Goldman and to speeches made
~ birth control meetings more recently.
and tried to bring from, the witness an
admission that at those meetings birth
Continued on Page Three.
Deerfcct Farm sausages are better because
4 Of choicest materials ana dainty prcpar ration.
ModA = Crut hl.o a.