Early 20th Century Anarchy: 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."

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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.

Pages

1914.03.12: INDUSTRIAL GANG TAKEN BY POLICE

March 12, 1914

INDUSTRIAL GANG TAKEN BY POLICE

Will Fight, He Says.

One Woman Weakens.

One Even Had Money.