1914.03.28: TANNENBAUM FOUND GUILTY RIOT CHARGE

March 28, 1914

TANNENBAUM FOUND GUILTY RIOT CHARGE

Sentenced to Serve Year in the Penitentiary and Pay Fine of $500

NEW YORK, March 27--Frank Tannenbaum, the leader of the unemployed who has been on trial for several days on the charge of participating in an unlawful assemblage, was convicted tonight.

Tannenbaum was sentenced to serve one year in the penitentiary and fined $500 default payment meaning an additional day's imprisonment for each dollar unpaid.

Before the case was given to the jury Tannenbaum at times highly excited, told his story on the stand. He admitted he led his "army of unemployed" into the churches. He admitted that on the evening he and the "army" invaded St. Alphonsus Catholic church he had addressed a large crown in Rutgers square.

He said the testimony given by the police to the effect that he had been interrupted by a ???? Jane Est was true. Miss Est broke in on Tannenbaum, he asserted, and said that during the French revolution the unemployed had invaded the churches in France and that blood had been shed. The police testified that Tannenbaum replied

"Yes and that's what we propose to do here."

Denies Statement.

 

This statement Tannenbaum denied. After he led the crowd to the church he said he asked for permission to go inside. This was refused him. He said he then told his followers to wait outside the church while he went into the rectory. But when he returned he found the army inside the church and asked them to remain quiet.


"I stayed inside 10 minutes" he said, "and during that time there was no disorder. I asked the men to be
quiet and remove their hats. Then I went outside. I was standing on the steps when a detective opened
the door and asked me into the church. I obeyed him. I was immediately placed under arrest."

On cross examination, Tannenbaum said his occupation was that of a busboy, or waiters' helper; .that he was 21 years old and had been in this country 9 years and was not a citizen of the United States.

Members of Tannenbaum's "army" who were arrested and convicted of disorderly conduct are still in the workhouse.

Preaches New Gospel.

 

Before sentence was pronounced, the former leader of unemployed availed himself of the customary privilege of making a statement.

"A great American once said that the people would forgive all sins such as murder, arson and larceny, but would not forgive a man who preaches a new gospel," Tannenbaum began. "I am one of those guilty of the last offense,

"I have no respect for the court. This is the first time I was ever in court. I had never been inside of a police station until I was arrested a short time ago. I tried to write a letter to the judge, but I could not do it. After three weeks in the Toumbs prison I have come to the conclusion that many of the poor devils there are just as good as anybody else, and if any of you were in their places you be be just as bad."

Note: A moderately different version of this article was in the Ogden Examiner. (jsf)

1914.03.25: TANNENBAUM SAID CITY WOULD RUN RED WITH BLOOD.

1914.03.12: INDUSTRIAL GANG TAKEN BY POLICE

March 12, 1914

INDUSTRIAL GANG TAKEN BY POLICE

New York. March 6.—Unshaven and defiant, Frank Tannenbaum, erstwhile waiter, but now leader of an army of the unemployed, which under the banner of the Industrial Workers of the World, stormed New York churches nightly until the police interfered, was brought into Jefferson market police court today for  arraignment on a charge of inciting: to riot. Two hundred of his followers, held during the night in three  separate prisons, were sent to the Tombs further downtown, all charged with disorderly conduct.

Tannenbaum was represented by Justus Sheffield, a lawyer retained by the Industrial Workers of the World.

Will Fight, He Says.

"This is only the start," said Tannenbaum. "The I. W. W. is behind every man arrested. If necessary we will bring 500 agitators into the city within the next few days. The reason so many men are unemployed is that
the factories are working their hands from 12 to 14 hours a day. We are going to send men into these factories and demand that the working hours be reduced to eight. This will solve the whole problem."

--------------

New York, March 5.—A majority of the members of the army of unemployed that has been demanding food and shelter in raids on churches every night for the past week, are today the guests of the city in several downtown jails. Each of the 190 men and one woman is held in $1,000 bail for hearings late today on charges of disorderly conduct. Frank Tannenbaum. The youthful leader of the army faces a charge of inciting to riot, which is a felony. His bail was fixed at $5,000, and being unable to furnish it, he, too, is a prisoner.

The arrest of Tannenbaum and the greater part of his army, organized under the auspices of tHe Industrial
Workers of the World. was made in St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic church in West Broadway, where leather John G. Schneider refused the demand for food and ordered the invaders to leave it they had not come to worship.

When Father Schneider repeated his order for all to leave "who don't belong here." there were cries: . "Don't
go out. Stay here. Make them throw us out and we will have food."

At this outburst two detectives seized Tannenbaum and two other leaders, while outside the church policemen sent in calls for reserves from several downtown stations. Douglas I. McKay, police commissioner, ordered the arrest on his own initiative. He said he would brook no repetition of rioting in churches.

One Woman Weakens.

Miss Jane Est, one of the two women exhorters, weakened when told she would probably be sent to prison for six months. She begged to be allowed to go and slipped through the crowd when released by a detective. Gussie Miller, however, insisted that she be arrested.

After the army had been led from the church the police declared that black jacks, knives, razors and pieces of iron were found in the vacated pews.

William D. Haywood, head of the Industrial Workers of the World, said after the arrest of Tannenbaum and
his followers that he was not surprised at the action of the police.

"The police followed the advice of the newspapers," he said, "and that was to be expected. The result will be
that the public will learn that the problem of the unemployed is not a myth."

Before going to the church last night Tannenbaum announced that the Industrial Workers of the World were
behind him and this declaration was borne out in night court when an attorney appeared for all who were arrested.

Before going to the church last night Tannenbaum announced that the Industrial Workers of the World were
behind him and this declaration was borne out in night court when an attorney appeared for all who were arrested.

"The whole affair is a frameup." declared William Haywood. head of the organization, who came here recently to attend a meeting of the International Workingmen's Dissent conference.

Police Commissioner McKay could have rounded up any of the unemployed two days ago if he had wanted
to, but he waited until the mayor returned and gave him authority. Now they are after Tannenbaum's blood. I
can't see that he has done anything to be arrested for. It is not the men who are on trial, but the Mitchel  administration and the churches."

One Even Had Money.

Jane Roulston. secretary of the mixed locals of the I. W. W.. said she was ready to furnish $1,000 bail for
Tannenbaum if the authorities would reduce his bond to that amount. Mrs. Roulston came here several years ago from San Francisco.

See also:

http://newspaperarchive.com/lowell-sun/1914-03-05/page-19?tag=jane+est&rtserp=tags/?pf=jane&pl=est&psb=date&page=7&pci=7&ndt=by&py=1914&pey=1914

http://newspaperarchive.com/newport-daily-news/1914-03-05/page-10?tag=jane+est&rtserp=tags/?pf=jane&pl=est&psb=date&page=7&pci=7&ndt=by&py=1914&pey=1914 

http://newspaperarchive.com/muscatine-journal/1914-03-05/page-7?tag=jane+est&rtserp=tags/?pf=jane&pl=est&psb=date&page=7&pci=7&ndt=by&py=1914&pey=1914

1914.03.12: WOMAN WHO FIGURED IN I.W.W. RAID ON CHURCH

New Castle (PA) News

March 12, 1914

Miss Jane Est, an enthusiastic leader of the I. W. W. movement in New York who participated in the disgraceful raid on St. Alphonsus' Catholic church of that city by a band of more than 250 unemployed, led by Frank Tannenbaum. One hundred and ninety-one of the miscreants were arrested, including Tannenbaum. Miss Est escaped after making a fiery speech in which she denounced the police, the clergy and the municipal administration.

1914.03.07: SENTENCES TWO RIOTERS

March 7, 1914

SENTENCES TWO RIOTERS

Starch Taken Out Of I.W.W. Leaders By City Magistrate

TANNENBAUM IN CELL

...

1914.03.07: SENTENCES TWO RIOTERS

March 7, 1914

SENTENCES TWO RIOTERS

Starch Taken Out Of I. W. W. Leaders By City Magistrate

TANNENBAUM IN CELL

New York, March 7.—The holding of Frank Tannenbaum for Inciting to riot and the sentencing of two of the army of the Idle to the workhouse for thirty days took the starch out of the I. W. W. meeting at Rutgers square. The drizzle of snow and sleet completed the work of repression and all the police had to do was look on.

The men finally went into a hall at 174 East Broadway, hired by Leonard Abbott, president of the Free Speech league, where they made remarks about Mayor Mitchel's intelligence and talked themselves into a state of apathy. It was evident that there was no one who cared to take Tannenbaum's place as leader.

A sullen crowd of anarchists, labor leaders and sympathizers filled the room. The holding of the impetuous
Tannenbaum responsible for felony in inciting to riot and making inflammatory utterances, coming as the second blow, seemed to be stunning in its gravity. Joseph Albers and William Green were tried and  sentenced by Magistrate Campbell to thirty days of stone breaking at the workhouse with the plain intimation that the remaining 190 church raiders may expect the same punishment.

Until now revolutionary agitators have made heaven storming statements with no thought of being held
accountable. So when Police Commissioner McKay said he had taken measures to have the inciting words of the insurgent leaders taken down in shorthand little fear was felt among the riot organizations. But Detective William J. Hasklus was called to the witness stand and instructed to read his notes on Tannenbaum's speech at Rutgers square, made Just before the mob took its way to the Roman Catholic Church of St Alphonsus.

Streets to Run Blood.

Haskins said Jane Est had interrupted Tannenbaum with his remark:

"The people of France, when oppressed by the church, took things in their own hands, and the streets ran
with blood."

And the detective quoted Tannenbaum's reply to this:

"Yes. that's what we'll do here."

Lieutenant Gildea, Father Schneider and Father Kessler were witnesses against Tannenbaum. Thomas Pupp, a German speaking through an interpreter, told how the mob rushed into the church. Father Schneider said
that Tannenbaum asked if the church would give his men food, shelter and money, and after each of these was refused, turned about and led his cohorts into the church.

The first hard blow to tho mobs and agitators of unrest came' when Magistrate Campbell sentenced Joseph Albers and William Green each to serve thirty days In the workhouse. It was then evident that sentences aggregating about fifteen years would be given to the whole mob. And at this prospect the lenders of the I.W.W., who gathered at the headquarters in West street, were exceedingly gloomy.

After sentencing the two men Magistrate Campbell adjourned court for the day so that Assistant District Attorney Dickinson and Justus Scheffield counsel for the "army," could go to Jefferson market police court for the hearing  of Tannenbaum.

When Magistrate Freschi arrived for the afternoon sessions of court he found awaiting him a copy of the Call, in which an article concerning the "army of the Jobless." with the implied threat. Above the newspaper heading was written in Ink by hand:

"Magistrate Freschi, champion of the Knights of Columbus, defender of the Holy Roman Catholic church, protector of Mayor Mitchel's administration, Jefferson market police court Postmaster,
deliver to addressee only."

1914.03.06: THREATEN FURTHER RIOTING

March 6, 1914
THREATEN FURTHER RIOTING
Industrial Workers Who Invade Church Promise More Trouble.
HAYWOOD BACK OF MOVEMENT
Frank Tannenbaum, Who Led Mob Into New York Church, Held on Charge of Inciting Riot--Followers in Jail.

1914.03.05: MOB, STORMING CHURCH, JAILED

March 5, 1914

MOB, STORMING CHURCH, JAILED

I.W.W. Army of 200 Unemployed Arrested Inside Edifice.

ONE HAD $700 IN POCKET

Frank Tannenbaum, Leader, Held on $5,000 Bail, Says Organization Will Back Him Up.

New York, March 4.—Frank Tannenbaum and more that 200 of his hungry followers were arrested tonight after storming and taking possession of St. Alphonsus’ Catholic Church in West Broadway.

In the sodden, motley crowd there was a woman, Miss Gussie Miller, who has lately joined the I.W.W. agitator’s cabinet and Hyman Finklestein, a forlorn looking tailor in whose pocket was found $700 in bills of large and small denomination.

The mob-riotous, ragged and on the verge of fighting the eighty policemen who came to the church, was taken to McDougal street and Beech street police stations, where an assortment of weapons was taken from them. Razors, slung-shots, sandbags, iron bolts, bits of jagged glass, shears huge knives and cast-iron nuts on strings were among the confiscated weapons. A good-sized basketful of like weapons were gathered from the floor of the church after the capture.

Against Tannenbaum and the leaders of the mob were preferred charges of inciting to riot, unlawful entry and disturbing the peace.

Tannenbaum was ripe for just such an outbreak. This afternoon he declared that I.W.W. officials had told him that he might carry out his ideas with full assurances that there would be money and lawyers to help him.

“Something Doing,” He Says.

“There will be something doing,” said Tannenbaum. A picturesque horde of idle men assembled in Rutger’s Park at 6:30 to follow the youthful agitator wither he might lead.

Tannenbaum aroused them by his fiery pictures of their social level. Miss Jane Est, who loudly declared herself to be a militant suffragette followed Tannenbaum and the crown roared approval of her forensic pyrotechnics. Fully 700 men followed Tannenbaum over Spring street. At Allen street the mob assailed a double team when the driver refused to halt to let them pass.

At West Broadway Tannenbaum with Miss Miller at his side turned north. Detective Capt. Gilday and Detective Lieut. Geegan told Tannenbaum he would be arrested if he made any attempt to enter a place unbidden.

“We take no orders from the slaves of capital” was his reply.

The usual Lenten evening service was in progress in St. Alphonsus. The mob swarmed up the stairs of the church. They swept into the lofty ceilinged, dimly lighted auditorium.  They rushed up the stone floor taking in all three aisles. They clamored over the pews brushing aside women who struggled to get out or seek safety near the altar rail.

“Bring on the eats!” yelled a gigantic youth.

“Less noise, boys,” cried Tannenbaum. “Remember this is a church.”

Gilday and Geegan grasped Tannenbaum by the arm and whirled him around. Tannenbaum was hustled into the priest’s house, where he and Miss Est and half a dozen reporters awaited Geegan, who went for Rev. Schneider, pastor.

Tannenbaum was debonair when Father Schneider appeared with Geegan. Tannenbaum’s demand for food and shelter in the church was refused. This led to a harangued against the church and society, and finally Tannenbaum and Miss Est were taken back to the church.

One Is “Millionnaire.”

Tannenbaum, beginning to realize the fact that he was a prisoner, began to calm. He bade Miss Est to be less noisy and shouted to his fellows that they should observe order and do what they police told them to do.

Then began a strange scene. Down the steps of the church, two at a time, the captured followers of a boy, on whose face there is neither sign nor promise of beard, were hustled into patrol wagons.

Tannenbaum gave his age as twenty-one; his occupation, a waiter. He declared that he had no home, but later declared his parents lived on a farm in Sullivan County, N.Y.

The first prisoner to be docketed was Hyman Finklestein. He declared himself a machinist. He is twenty-nine years old. When the huge mass of bills-more than $700—was found in his breast pocket, a murmur arose from the mob behind him.

“You’re a millionaire,” declared the lieutenant. “Why are you pan-handling? Why are you hungry? Where did you get that?”

“Oh, I’m on the level,” answered Finklestein. “I saved it while I was working. I will not spend it. It is not for me to spend it. It is not for me to spend my money when there are others with so much more.”

Miss Est made heroic efforts to be arrested. She even went so far as to clamber upon the steps of one of the patrol wagons. But a policeman shoved her aside. She loudly protested against “such discrimination,” and declared that she would go to the court and demanded that she be treated as are the rest. Tannenbaum was held in $5,000 bail for hearing today.

1914.03.05: MANY UNEMPLOYED IN NEW YORK JAILS.

March 5, 1914

MANY UNEMPLOYED IN NEW YORK JAILS.

Nearly 200 Held in Bail for Disorderly Conduct.

Army Arrested at St. Alphonsus, Where Priest Refused Their Demand.

...

1914.03.05: ARMY OF UNEMPLOYED GUESTS OF NEW YORK

March 5, 1914

ARMY OF UNEMPLOYED GUESTS OF NEW YORK

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY ARRESTED IN CHURCH.

Arrests Follow Invasion of Catholic church During Services--To Have Hearing Today.

New York, N.Y., March 5.--A majority of the members of the army of unemployed that has been demanding food and shelter in raids on churches every night for the past week, are today the guests of the city in several downtown jails. Each city in several downtown jails. Each of the 190 men and one woman is held in $1,000 bail for hearing late today on charges of disorderly conduct. Frank Tannenbaum, the youthful leader of the army faces a charge of inciting to riot, which is a felony. His bail was fixed at $5,000 and being unable to furnish it, he, too, is a prisoner.

1914.03.05: MOB ARRESTED FOR RIOTING IN CHURCH

March 5, 1914

MOB ARRESTED FOR RIOTING IN CHURCH

190 Unemployed Headed by I.W.W. Agitator, Ignored Warnings and Made Raid on New York Church--Each Held in $1000

New York, March 5--Unshaven and defiant, Frank Tannenbaum, erstwhile waiter, but now leader of an army of unemployed which, under the banners of the Industrial Workers of the World, stormed New York churches nightly until the police interfered, was brought into Jefferson Market police court today for arraignment on a charge of inviting riot. Nearly 200 of his followers held during the night in three separate prisons were to appear later in the Tombs court, farther down town, all charged with disorderly conduct.

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