Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-08-10
HUGHES is ASKED TO
REPLY TO TEN QUERIES
American Writers PROFOUND Series of
Questions Asking Republican Can
didate What He Would Do.

New ! lork, Aug. 2,-On behalf of a
committee of distinguished American
writer's, the executive group of which
met yesterday at the Hotel Biltmore,
George Creei gave out the following
open letter:
To the Honorable Charles e. Hughes:
The professional workers who sign this
letter have small interest in parties,
but very deep interest III democracy.
1t is our hope, through this voluntary
association, to assist in the promotion
OF honest, educational discussion in or
der that fundamental issues may not
decided in prejudice and ignorance:
MI Wilson's beliefs have been
pressed in law and declared policies
He has made an open record by which
he may be judged, Wise choice is not
possible unless you yourself make
equally specific statement of purposes
| and convictions
| Without intent to offend, we feel
justified in charging that in no single
public utterance have you filed bona
| de bill of particulars. Nor have you
offered single constructive sugges-
ton
| Says He Talks Generalitiss.
"Generalities are without value.
Blanket criticism is worthless, What
we desire to know, that it is fair that
the electorate should know, are the ex-
act details of your disagreement with
| President Wilson. What has he done
| that you would not have done and what
has he failed to do that you would have
| done or propose to do?
| Want Hughes on Record.
Honesty and patriotism demand that
you put yourself upou record in such
manner as to permit people to Judge
you as they are now able to judge Pres
sldent Wilson. For example:
"0D Would you have filed instant
protest against the invasion of Belgium
} and backed up that protest with the
United States navy?
so II is arrant nonsense to talk
about action that would have prevented
the ALucitana tragedy. The vague ad-
vertlsement did not appear until shortly
before the hour of sailing. The occur
renee was one of those things that CIV
lization has made the world regard as
incredible. The only honest question
is this: Would you have made the dis
aster the subject of diplomatic negotia-
tions or would you have broken rela-
lations with Germany at once?
"(3l Would you have urged upon con-
gress an embargo upon the shipment of
/, munitions to the allies?
], "(4l Would you urge universal COM
pulsory military service?
"(5) You are frank in stating that
= Huerta's morals were of no concern to
. Americans, Does this mean that ysu
b would have recognized Huerta?
{ "(6) AS matters stand today, would
\ you be in favor of intervening in
{ Mexico?
l. go Does your attack upon the Will
son shipping bill mean that you are in
favor of ship subsidies?
y ''(8) You speak enthusiastically of
i. the rights of the worker. Does this
g imply that you indorse the Clayton anti
~ trust law ana the seaman's bill, or will
- you urge their repeal?
. '(9) What are your specific com.
~ plants against the federal reserve law!
re 500 AS governor of New Y ork you
,o opposed the income tax amendment
10 Does this antagonism persist? Do yor
Or do you not believe in paying for pre-
paredness out Of a tax on incomes, in
neritances and munitions?
Too Critical For Talk.
a eve agree with you that it is a crit
I, zeal PERIOD; by far too critical for can
at didates to talk in terms of Office seek
VS. ing, rather than in the simple, earnes
;u language of definite Americansm.
Respectfully,
"(Signed) Samuel Hopkins Adams
Ray Standard Raker, Ellis Parker But
Ter, l.. James Brown, Dan T. Barton
IS Irwin 5. Cobb, WadsWorth Camp, Jo
n seph O'Hara Cosgrave, Stoughton Cool
Of ey, VIM. l.. Chenery, George Creel
m James Forbes, Fred e. Howe, GiIso
ID Gardner, Frederick Stuart Greene, oil
nd yer Herford, Prof Louis ackson. Rich
he ard Lloyd Jones, Peter d. Kyne, Perc
of Mackaye, A. j. McKelway, Basil Man
.os ley, Meredith Nicholson, Albert ia
ed Mock, Harvey J. Osgood, Charles Johr
m. son Post, Eugene Manlove Rhodes, Wi
ng liam Mcleod Raine, Boardman Robin
nd son, John Reed, Opie Reed, Edgar Sci
,th wya Williams, William Leavitt Stod
IN dard, Lincoln Steffens. Aug1stu
rse Thomas, Frank Vrooman, George West
iIa -mr.----