The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-08-17
Continued from Page One)

uie. 1Hey are Trying 10 tear down
our constitution.
Gurkin carried the placard just the
same, from his home down State
Street, to the station where he bought
ticket for Albany. A detective tried
to stop him, after purchasing the
ticket, but when he showed the ticket
he was permitted to leave town. At
Albany Gurkin bought his ticket for
Boston. ~
Conductor Fears authorities. - ~,
Gurkin put up his placard, witESS1
appeal for Sacco and Vanzetti, at 8iie
end of the railroad coach in whicfF.Afr
was riding in full view of the pas
/ sengers. This was very disconcerting
to the conductor, who turned it
around, declaring, "The authorities
wouldn't like it."
One of the passengers tried to pro-
yoke Gurkin. When this failed he
tried other measures. He followed
Gurkir off the train at one station
and hung about as Gurkin sent tele-
gram back to his family. This pro-
vocateur, according to Gurkin, sent
telegram to the police at the sta
ton ahead, notifying them of of Cur
kin's presence on the train. When
rough appearing individual got on
the train later, posing as detective,
he failed to make much progress with
Gurkin who demanded his credentials.
All he could show was a declaration
of innoculation from the army. Cur
kin concluded he was an American
Legionnaire. This embryo fascist
tried to continue questioning Gurkin
until the train arrived at Worcester,
when he got off.
Gurkin Arrives in Boston.
The remainder of the trip to South
Station, Boston, was made without
incident. 1t was 9:30 o'clock in the
evening, Wednesday, and Gurkin de-
cided that the death March" was
already on its way to the Charlestown
Prison. He, therefore, decided to
take the subway, carrying his pla-
card before him, a black band on his
arm, the honor medals and pins from
the army blazining conspicuously on
his coat
"The subway was packed" said
Gurkin. Everybody took an interest
in reading the sign. Most everybody
showed sympathy. One man said.
This is the greatest crime the state
has ever committed while another
added, Governor Fuller will not dare
to buck against the world protest of
labor" -.. ~r--t
Grabbed by the Police. -
The tide turned, however, at the
State Street Station where two po-
licemen on the platform called thru
the open window to Gurkin to "Come
out, we want youW But Gurkin was
not inclined to obey.
$50 they came into the car to get
me-" said Gurkin Zone of the police
officers grabbed me by the arm and
twisted it. The other got behind me
and began pushing. I thought it best
not to resist. l did once, during a coal
strike in 1921, in West Virginia, and
got club crashing down on my head,
splitting it open.
$50 I just went along. But I
thought, IF this is the way they treat
an eX-soldier in uniform, with his
medals on, in 1926, how these same
police must have tyrannized over for
eign-born workers. Many of them
unable to speak the English langu-
age, during the red-baiting days of
1919 and 1920"
Questioned by 'The Authorities"
Then this questioning ensued on the
platform of the subway.
where are you going?" asked one
of the policemen.
"To Charlestown," Gurkin answered.
what for?"
because want to hold this sign
up before the gates of Charlestown
Prison to protest against Governor
Fuller's murderous decision" said
Gurkin. 81 want to protest against
the taking of the lives of these two
innocent workers"
Huge Throng Gathers.
BY this time a huge throng had
gathered. Gurkin was holding high
bis placard reading, eve are supposed
to have fought for justice Give JUS
tice to Sacco and Vanzetti. They must
not die"
One of the policemen yelled at Cur
kin thru the subway noise, you've
been riding around here all night,
haven't your"
"No, just came off the train from
Schenectady" replied Gurkin, getting
the reply, you're a damnable liar.
You've been riding the subway eall
night melting the people to riot" and
lot more, ending up with, "You come
along with me-" y.-..
Some of the throng began calling
out. "Let him go!" Gurkip continued
to hold high the sign, declaring to
those about him, II may be in prison,
but don't let Sacco and Vanzetti burn
tonightw -.,..
'Let him go!" continued the shouts,
as the police reached the street with