The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-05
JURIST ASSAILED
BY 'PROGRESSIYES
Moose Won't Name Him Tn
less He Defines His Posi-
ton. Says Edict.
Is ACCUSED OF DODGING

CHICAGO. June I.-Signiicance was /
| attached TO a statement which was Is |
sued at Progressive headquarters to-
day made by Harold L. Ickes. the Pro-
sressive National Committeeman from
Illinois
This statement. which is in printed
form. is the first out and out attack
upon Justice Hughes's position that has
come from the Progressive headquar.
tiers. While In the nature OF a personal
statement made by Mr.. Ickes. there Is
every indication that 1, was carefully
prepared with the sanction and approval
Of Mr.. Perkins and the other leaders.
Here Is the statement:
/ The question is constantly being
asked Can Republicans and Progress
sives unite on Justice Hughes for Presi-
dent?
The question cannot be answered
unless another question is answered be-
fore the nominations are made: What
does Justice Hughes stand for?'
Certainly the Progressives will not
nominate Justice Hughes withou, know
ing his position on the vital issues OF
the day. Certainly no agreement can
tie reached between representatives Of
| the two parties to nominate him prior
Ia public formal statement OF his
position Nor will the Progressives be
willing to accept any nominee upon a
satisfactory Republican platform with
out knowledge that the nominee is the
embodiment of that platform. The pos
siblity Of IA joint nomination OF Jus
tice Hughes by Republicans and Pro-
gressives seems therefore a remote COM
tingenCN,
Calls His silence Harmful.
To those espousing the candidacy of
Justice Hughes II should be pointed out
That he alone is responsible for the
growing unlikelihood OF consideration OF
his name. The excuse for his silence
offered is that he must maintain the
dignity OF the Supreme bench But his
silent candidacy is as harmful TO the
dignity OF the bench as though he were
not dumb upon the issues OF the day
and involves dangers TO the safety. well
fare and honor of America which would
concern the people far more than the
judicial dignity OF any man or court.
Justice Hughes is not blind or deaf
to the active work being done In his
|, behalf. The fact that he Is willing to
accept the benefits OF this work with
greater intent In his personal fortunes
than in the we'll being OF either the
supreme Court or Of the United states.
, IF he is a candidate should he not
resign from the bench and announce his
position on the great national and IN
t'rnational problems pressing for solu-
tion? IL he Is not "a candidate should
he not announce that he will not accept
nomination and 20 end the use OF
| his name "A To the
o; political manipulators?
TO use the excuse OF judicial dignity
, to avoid expressing opinions which must
, ALLEVIATE some OF his ylharmonious sup
, porters and avoid giving up a life posi-
ton until safely assured OF a nomina =
. ton reflects little credit either on the
Supreme Court or the candidate.
Question Of PrOpriety.
r 'Justce Hughes broke his silence re-
Q Gently with his secretary's statement
$ denying the authority OF an utterance
. apparently favorable to Coz. Roosevelt.
, II the judicial dignity IL not impaired by
\ a statement unfriendly TO a rival can
didate could not statement be given
: cut with equal propriety stating the can
Q didate's position on the questions OF the
v day?
Q mo one can speak FOR the choice OF
4 | the Progressive national convention, Du'
j. I have no doubt. after canvassing the
situation thoroughly with leaders and
e delegates from large number ~ the
y States. that in no circumstances will the
= convention nominate or indorse "a can
, didate for President whose views are
o not fully known and publicly announced
e In advance OF his selection.
q The convention will not go II blind
In my Judgment not even Col. Roose
z welt himself could persuade the conven
z tion to accept Justice Hughes or an,
a. other candidate without definite and Ger
y tain knowledge OF his position ON vita
n issues.
4 I'm this national emergency platforms
a are of lesser interest. The man il al
,e important. Justice Hughes IL untraine,
II and inexperienced In International AZ
!. fairs. His views on foreign and domes
,e tic questions are unknown. To sa,
that he IL tho man for President |,
this tense situation. when no man o
woman In the nation can state authori
tatively whether he IL for pacitism o
preparedness, for Americanism or ny
}. phenatism, for national!sm or section
alism. for true neutrality or interven
ton, or on what side he stands OF an
great public Issue. seems a pronounce
s. ment OF pure folly.
l. ION the face Of the present situatio
n Justice Hughes Is plainly impossible q
consideration for the Progressive nom
a. nation and there seems no reasona bl
lie exrectation Of any change in the situa
al ton before the Progressive conventio
makes its choice"