The Alaska daily empire., 1916-08-12
MIR HUGHES ASKED FOR A DECLARATION OF
 PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

frbe following open letter to Charles E. Hughes was prepared and signed at meeuhB Ol o' "S S known editors and writers who were presSm ,,,cau heard his speech of acceptance or the NepuDi'0oH nomination for President 1t tells its own story SD' !.To the Honorable Charles E. Hughes The pro fessiona writers who sign this letter have small in terest in parties. but very deep interest h ueulVC racy It our hope through this voluntary assoe'a lion to assist in the promotion of highest educational discussion in order that fundamental issues may not be decided in prejudces and ignorance . ,.,
 ''Alr Wilson's beliefs have been expressed m S iaS and in declared politics He has made open record by which be may be judged. Wise choice is not pos sibe unless you yourself make equally specIc S'"'e rnent of purposes and convictions , .
 Without intent to offend we feel Justlneo n charging that in no single public utterance have you filed bona hde bill of particulars nor nave you offered a single constructive suggestion
 "Generalities without value. Blanket criticism is worthless. What desire to know, what lt IS far-that the electoraes should know, are the exact 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 vou mt vourself upon record in such manner to permit people to judge you as they are now able 10 judge President Wilson. For example;
 Would you have filed instant protest against the invasion Of Belgium and backed up that protest with the United States Navy
 Tt is arrant nonsense to talk about action that would have prevented the Lusitania tragedy The vague advertisement did not appear until shortly before the hour of sailing. The occurrence was one or those things that civilization has made the world regard as incredible. The only honest question IS this: Would you made the disaster the subject of dip iomatic negotiations would you have broken rela tions with Germany at once?
 Would you have urged upon Congress an embargo upon the shipment of munitions the Allies?
 Would you urge universal compulsory military service?
 'You are frank in stating that Huertas morals were of to America. Does this mean that you would have recognized Huera?
 "As matters stand today, would you be in favor of intervening in Mexico?
 "DOes you attack upon the Wilson Shipping Bill that you are in favor of ship subsdiesl
 You speak enthusiastically of the fights of the worker Does this imply that you indorse the Clayton Antitrust Law and the Seamen's Bill? Or will you urge their repeal?
 What are your specific complaints against the Federal Reserve Law?
 "As Governor of New York you opposed the in- come tax amendment Does this antagOnsm persist? Do you or do you not believe in paying for prepared ness out of a tax on incomes, nherences and muni. tons?
 We urge with you that 1t is a critical period by far too critical, indeed. for candidates to talk in terms Of officeseeking rather than in the simple. earnest language of definite Amercanism
 Respectfully, Samuel Hopkins Adams Ray Stan- dard Baker. Ellis Parker Butler. L. Ames Brown, Dante Barton. Irwin S. Cobb Wadsworth Camp, J. OHara COsgrave. StOughtOn Cooley, William L. Chen cry George Creel James Forbes, Frederick C. Howe. ford Prof Lewis Johnson. Richard Lloyd Jones' Peter B. Kyne Percy Mackaye A. J. McKeiway Basil Man. ley, Meredith Nicholson, Albert J. Mock Harvey J. OHggns. Charles Johnson Poe. Eugene Manlove Rhodes, William Mcleod Rane Boardman Robinson John Reed. Opie Reed, Edgar Selwyn, William Leayltt Stoddard. Lincoln Steffins Augustus Thomas Frank Vrooman and George West"