The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-06-27
COMMUNISTS USE
STAND IN TRIAL
FOR "SOAP. BOX"
Tell Worcester Court
Capitalism's Ills
Especial to tho Daily W0rker.)

leader and Communist of this city,
was arrested and fined $50 for insist
ing on the right of free assembly,
which the constitution Of the United
States and the bill Of rights of the
state Of Massachusetts are supposed
to guarantee.
At the conclusion of the regular
Sunday afternoon open air meeting
conducted by the Workers party Eng
lish branch of Worcester, a few young
boys, filed with all the distorted
ideas about patriotism" ETC., as ali
products Of the public schools are, de-
manded of Abbott whether he is an
American citizen, to which query he
proceeded to reply, when up hobs
copper with the command that Alb
bott shut up n git the hell outa
hea" Abbott refused to obey, and re-
minded the cop that because he wears
a blue uniform and brass buttons does
not mean that he can order any one
about as he pleases, depriving a per-
son of his civil rights.
"DIsturbing Peace"
Having no charges upon which to
make an arrest, the copper, in true
rowdy fashion, grasped Abbott (who
is about "A years old by the collar of
his coat and proceeded to jostle and
pitch him about until the Salvation
Army arrived to conduct their daily
search for the missing Jesus. The
arrival of the soul salvagers thus gave
the officer the alibi that Abbott was
disturbing the peace" and arrested
him.
BY this time the crowd began to de-
nounce the actions of the cop and de-
mand that he leave Abbott go, but the
COP was determined to make the ar
rest Hundreds of workers marched
en- masse to the police station, attract
ing every one en- route to the station.
H. Sidney Bloomfield, who went along,
put up the money for bail. On Mon
day morning the courtroom was filed
to capacity with workers. The cop
stated before the judge that Abbott
told him he and the law could go to
hell, and lot of other pure lies, the
products of his own imagination.
Abbott when called to the stand
made an excellent agitation talk,
while Comrade Bloomfield, who was
one of the witnesses, led the specta-
tors with loud applause, until the
bailiff threatened Bloomfield with ar
raignment or charges of disturbing
the peace" of the hoary judge.
Belongs Here; Can't go Back"
Among other things, Abbott told the
court that the speaker OF the after
noon meeting, Comrade Bloomfield,
discussed the dement's Of the capital
list system and its politics and corrup-
ton as typified by the republican and
democratic parties, and urged the abo-
lition of capitalism and the institution
of a Workers Soviet republic, which
Abbott said he heartily endorsed"
and when the youngster told him If he
did not like this country, he ought to
20 to Russia, Abbott told the court
that he was born in Charlestown,
Mass, under the shadow Of Bunker
Hill: that he is a lineal descendant
of Thomas Payne, the author OF the
age of Reason" and prominent in
American history; that just as Payne
fought the Tories, he has dedicated his
life to fighting capitalism and its mis-
cry and injustice.
He told the court that he could
never degrade himself to the depths
Of depravity as did the cop who false
ly stated that he told him and the law
to 20 to hell because, Abbott said, II
don't believe there is a hell and did
not say the words that the officer at
tempted to put in my mouth" Those
that believe in it say it, though some
times wish such a place would exist,
so that some of those who act as did
the officer, could go there. But / did
say that because he wears a blue uni
form and brass buttons, does not give
him the license to order anyone about
as he pleases."
Communist Rally In Court.
The three witnesses, II. Sidney
Bloomfield, Michael zeiper and Paul
Skers, used the witness stand as a
platform and the audience as a
Workers party rally by delivering ex-
celient talks against the ordered"
system during their testimony. At one
point, when Abbott was denouncing
the capitalist system, the Judge Joined
in and said. tits quite a common topic
these days." to which Abbott replied,
'You bet It is, and when 1t gets to be
more common you will see Com
munlst' in your chair"
The judge, not knowing what to do,
conferred with the clerk. who, in his
drone-like tone, murmured, Five dol
lars fine" Comrade Abbott appealed.
The superior court will doubtless drop
the entire matter, but II 1t is taken up
again the Workers party of Worcester
will give the courts the fight OF their
lives. Worcester is a reactionary
city, but the Communists here are a
live bunch and able to fight capitalism
In and out Of court.