Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-23
DEMOCRATIC ATTACK
ON HUGHES AS ALLY
OF 'HYPHENS' DENIED
Political Caldron in Ferment
Over Charge That He Made
Deal With American In
dependence Conference"
PLATFORM PLANK QUOTED

NEW YORK. oct ga second state
ment from the Democratic National Com
mittee, following one from the same source
made public early today. In which u was
charged that Charles r. Hughes had met
in secret and made n campaign deai with
Irish Americans and German Americans,
was issued this afternoon. IL quotes "a
plank" adopted by the American lnde-
pendcnce Conference following the alleged
agreement" with Mr. Hughes. This second
statement was followed by challenge from
Republican National Chairman Wilcox for
the Democrats 20 produce such an agree
ment The interchange from the rival head
quarters kept the political pot boiling here
today with the hyphen issue.
To the Democrat charge that Hughes en-
tered into secret agreement with the
pro-German organization Wilcox entered
emphatic dental and characterized the
charges as the cheapest kind OF adver-
tislng In the Interests OF a lost cause"
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE PLANK
The Democrats quoted what was said to
be the plank adopted by the American In
dependence Conference, calling upon the
people to condemn the abject" surrender Of
American rights to Mexico and European
nations" and support Hughes.
This plank according to the statement
from national Democratic headquarters,
read
We call upon tho American people to
use the opportunity which the present
campaign offers TO condemn the abject
surrender OF American rights to Mex
leo and to European nations. and To
support the man who has openly
pledged himself TO maintain these
rights.
The Democratic statement charges that
shortly after the Incorporation OF this plank
j. Z. O'Mahoney, OF Indianapolis, and VIC
tor Rdder editor of the Staats-Zetung. ad-
dressed meeting OF members Of the Ameri-
can Independence Conference in Chicago on
newspaper publicity and outlined the secret
purpose of the conference TO support
Hughes for President and fight for the cleo
tion OF certain Congressman.
BOLD DENIAL AND CHALLENGE
At Republican headquarters n telegram
was received from Frank Sieberlich who
was present at the session between Hughes
and representatives OF the conference, deny
ing that the Republican candidate made any
promises. The telegram follows:
The statement made by Mr. Hughes
relative to the conference with the COM
mlttee of the American Independence
Conference Is absolutely true. Mr.
Hughes saw the committee, OF which
was n member made no promises did
not criticize Roosevelt and made state
ment TO the committee that he stood
for all American rights.
After giving out this telegram Wilcox
said:
'If the Democrats have any kind of agree
ment why don't they present It? They have
my consent to find any kind of agreement.
This In the cheapest kind OF advertising for
lost cause There was nothing secret
about the conference Mr.. Hughes had"
Wilcox went on TO say that all manner
of citizens Of citizens and groups Of citizens
had seen Hughes, but that he had made no
| promises I'm any shape, manner or form"
Of Of
| took fling at the Democrats by declaring
| he didn't think the same could be said OF
| Burleson and others who have sought out
| certain racial interests" ~
II don't think Mr.. Hughes would have a
conference at midnight with a beer party"
he declared. The chairman said none Of
Hughes conferences were q secret, and
added that in the various organizations
who had sent committees to see him. the
American rights committee was included
DEMOCRATS HIT PROPAGANDA
when the time comes that professional
propagandists can attempt to dictate the
election of a President in the interests of
foreign country II is time for Americans to
stand up and repudiate such attempts" Ma
tional Chairman Vance Mccormick de-
clared. He said that regardless of politics
he considered II duty to give publicity
TO such attempts
Vice President Thomas r. Marshall. who
visited Democratic headquarters today. pre-
dicted that any party or candidate trying
to hook up with propagandists will get the
worst of it,"
Church and racial questions were in
jected into the Indiana campaign by the Re
publicans, but they found II wouldn't work. q"
he said. The great body of voters are
true In their allegiance to America"
The dominant issues of the campaign
Marshall said, are peace, prosperity and the
question of continuing the foreign policy
which has meant peace. or substituting for
II a chip on the shoulder" policy.