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)
