The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1912-11-22

party officials MS In authority, stat
ing In his remarks that If the local
did mot recognize him as the state sec
Rotary of the socialist party In this
state, that there would be no neces-
sity of any further proceedings.
After some discussion a motion was
made and carried that the objection
of 70. j. Brown TO proceeding with the
trial be overruled.
The state secretary then asked 70. J.
Brown the following questions to
which 10. J. Brown answered as fol
lows.
Quesuon-Did you know that the
state committee of Washington by
means of a referendum vote declared
the county committee which meets at
1909 Fifth avenue, Seattle the regu-
lar county committee of King county?
Answer did not, but I knew the
state executive committee had so de
cided.
Odd you speak at meeting
held i'm this hall on September 8?
Al did.
Odd you in your speech appeal
to the audience to use sticker ballots
in the primary election?
Al don't think so; ! can't remem-
Der.
Upon voluntary evidence from Gust
Puro of the Fourth Ward Local, 1t
was learned that 70. J. Brown did adj
wise the use of the sticker ballot,
after which Brown admitted that he
might have done so.
Odd you tell the audience that
these sticker ballots would be on hand
at the door?
Al might have done SO; I do not
exactly know.
Odd you advise the audience to
vote for precinct committeeman?
Ayes.
Odd you claim that the red card
membership organization was ring?
A.-No; but l said the state office
was a ring, that there was a ring in
the state office.
Q.-Do you recognize the authority
of the state committee of the party as
elected by locals in accordance with
the state constitution?
A.-Insofar as it does not conflict
with the legal committee elected by
primary vote and up to the point it
serves.
O.-Not being elected state commit
teeman in accordance with our state
constitution by what authority do you
consider yourself a state committee
man of the socialist party?
A.-By authority of the party mem
bers who voted for precinct commit
teemen in the primary election in
King county.
Q.-How many members are there
in your state committee which is sup
posed to function for the party in this
state?
A.-Two members; maybe more.
Q.-Yourself and Homer T. Bone of
Tacoma are the only two such state
committeeman you know of at pres
emit?
Ayes.
Q.-And Brown elected Bone as
state chairman and Bone elected
Brown as state secretary, is that
right?
Ayes.
Odd you in your speech init
mate that Clarke county would CO.
operate with you in your primary
election scheme?
Al can not remember exactly,
but I do not think so.
the national office?
A-No, but the national office will
see wisdom of primary law and act in
accordance.
Q.-Do you now consider yourself
the state secretary of the party in this
state?
A.-For all legal purposes, yes. l
would protect Bostrom and the state
executive committee from being at
tackled by outsiders, but I would, if so
instructed, take possession of the state
office, especially if the direct action
lists tried to run the party. l can not
tell what will be necessary in the
future but will do everything needed
to keep the party legal.
The state secretary here protested
against e. ]. Brown protecting the So
cialist party in this state, stated that
the party needed no protection from
two individuals and that he would
much rather have E. j. Brown go to
court in an effort to constitute himself
and not Bostrom the state secretary
Q.-Do you pay dues to the Fourth
Ward Local?
Ayes.
Q.-Do you know that your local
recognizes me as state secretary by
buying dues stamps from me and re-
porting to me monthly?
Ayes.
Q.-Please explain how your local
can consistently retain you, who
claims to be state secretary, as a men,
Der, while it recognizes some one else
as state secretary.
Any local believes in obeying the
law.
Q.-Were you instrumental in get
tine the capitalist court to strike Com
rade Wells, Comrade Price and Com
rade Schmitt off the regular socialist
party ticket in this county?
Al refuse to answer this as l am
not charged with this.
e. j. Brown then spoke in his own
defense, stating in part that he did
not propose to disturb the socialist
party one hairs breadth more than
necessary but the fight is on and he
will fight all that is necessary. That
he would do what he could to hold
the party in King county legally. That
all anarchists, direct actionists and
bosses must leave the party. That II
is not Brown, nor his local, but the
state party that iS on trial and that
the state party must rid itself OF all