New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-20
CHARGES ALL SPITE
WORK, GEORGE SAYS
Life Blameless, Asserts in
Statement - Trouble
Over Religion.
SEES PLOT TO RUIN
HIM BY ENEMIES
Happy That Republic Cause Re-
mains-Raps Charity Board
and Woman Sleuth.

William r. George, founder of the
George Junior Republic. whose elimina-
tion from the affairs of that institution
was recommended Wednesi lay by the
State Board of Charities because Of his
alleged misconduct. issued statement
yesterday denying the charges. He said
he had led a blameless life.
His complete statement was as follows:
1T is maddening. after having estab-
nshed in the world reputation for good
character and service, to have my name
dragged In the mire as debaucher OF
womanhood. Those who know me need
no reinsurance from me that ! am per-
fectly innocent. but the tortures OF the
damned begin in earnest when think OF
the tens OF thousands OF people to whom
/ have spoken on public platforms. and
that may be saying. is IL true. after all.
that Daddy George is a lying hypocrite
and a villain in disguise"
The seed Of the whole trouble Is rad
ical difference OF opinion between two
hostile camps. those who believe in the
self-governing principles OF the Junior
Republic as the best means for training
boys and girls for good citizenship. and
those who believe in paternalism and dis
cipinc from above and institutional
methods Certain members of the State
Board Of Charities cling tenacously to
methods which / believe to be outworn
and wholly erroneous. With them for
Years ] nave been in conflict.
Then / have had differences Of opinion
with others who lay an exaggerated stress
upon emotional religion in the Republic.
Furthermore, ] nave been much opposed
TO PROSECUTING OF any description. For eN-
ample. ] have strongly objected 10 any
effort TO persuade Jewish and Catholic
young men 10 forsake the faith Of their
parents Naturally. ] have made enemies.
Now what about this miserable stun
4 six-year-old charge. long ago iuyesti-
gated and discredited. even repudiated at
one time by the one making IL. has been
dragged out with the idea OF disCredltiug
me as the founder of the republic and in
order to thereby injure the work itself AS
a sort Of horrible object lesson Of what
republic principles lead 10. Finally. IN
1912. AT my iusisteuce. the national asso-
citation appointed a joint committee 10 i'm
vestigate everything about me from my
birth. Ny entire life has been one ~ sex
ual purity. az certain detectives have
found to their chagrin.
An my life has been spent In FreeyiAe
and New York city. and every little nook
and GRANNY OF my existence has been
combcd in vain. The committee iu order
10 settle this thing once and FOR all. Sc
cured As Judges Joseph n. ChOate. Sam
uel seabury and Miss Lillian Waid TO
read all the testimony and give a verdict.
The committee has spent months iu COINS
over ms entire life \ woman detective.
who has been trying 20 'get me. went 90
the STATE Board OF Charities and test
fed We wcr, all I'D TO believe. however.
that the state board would take no action
until the committee headed by Nj
Choate reported.
"Tren suddenly and without warning
tie state board gives out a report care
fully couvicting me by iHuueudo. though
not i'm so many words This seems TO me
10 nave been done iu an effort e. thor
oughiy discrcdit me and my associate IN
the work Tor fear ] shall be- indicated
by the official investigating committee
which has gone so intimately into my
whole life and my whole work.
II want to SAY right here 20 my friends
and Supporters that .ho republic cause
will continue Just a. 1T has in the past.
II will weather this effort 10 ruin a. just
as il has wcathcred similar though less
spectacular efforts IN the past Its cause
H. just and righteous one and around il
is a group OF earnest souls which are
ready 10 live for IL and die for it,