Then Mary Winsor, an ardent suffragette, sprang up, but they stopped her also. As soon as one was downed, another jumped to his or her feet. I did not know the names of some of the volunteers, who were not even allowed to finish their “Ladies and gentlemen.”
Meanwhile, Anne Kennedy was telling me as best she could what had happened prior to my arrival. When the house had been half filled, a man had come to the platform and asked, “Who’s in charge?”
“I am,” Anne had answered.
“This meeting must be closed.”
“Why?”
“An indecent, immoral subject is to be discussed. It cannot be held.”
“On what authority? Are you from the police?”
“No, I’m Monsignor Dineen, the Secretary of Archbishop Hayes.”
“What right has he to interfere?”
“He has the right.” Here he turned to a policeman. “Captain, speak up.”