New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-11
Calls Labor Officials Act
"Unspeakable," and Or
ders Rigid Inquiry.
Won MACH REPEATS
MORGAN THREAT
Says Germans Would Treat the
Financier as Insidlous Enemy
il They Ever Captured Him.

Referring to the speech made by
James II. Maurer. president OF the
Pennsylvania State Federation OF La
Dor, at the Washington Irving High
School on Sunday as an ATTACK on the
flag Mayor Mitchell yesterday wrote
President William C. Wilcox Of the
Board of Education requesting him 70
make an investigation and turn the
evidence over 70 the District Attorney.
The Mayors Indignation was increased
when he learned that az about the
same hour Or Edmund Won Mach,
chairman Of the committee which Is
trying TO send milk 10 Germany, speak
ing in the auditorium of Public School
IS, in Brooklyn. had cast aspersions on
American neutrality and declared that
the life of J. P. Morgan would be
worthless II any of the Tcutonic allies
got hold Of his person.
The Mayors letter TO President
Wilcox said:
"May I suggest TO you that you cause
an investigation 10 be made OF the re-
ports in this mornings newspapers OF
an attack on the flag which was made
BY speaker in the Washington Irving
High School last night2 1t seems TO
me unspeakable that there should be
heard in public school In this city
such utterances as | understand were
made. quote from Section 1,42o OF
the penal law Of the State of New
York. Subdivision 10, which provides
that any person who shall defy. tram
ple upon, or cast contempt, either by
words or act, upon any such flag, stand
ard. color or ensign. shall be guilty OF
a misdemeanor, and shall be punished
by fine not exceeding 500 or by i'm
nrisonment for not more than thirty
DAYS, or both, in the discretion OF the
court
Mayor Urges Prosecution.
"If. as a result of this investigation,
YOU find evidence TO support the state
ments printed in this mornings press
I renuest YOU 10 send such evidence
10 the District Attorney Of this county
for prosecution"
Maurer was quoted as shouting: TO
hell with the Stars and Stripes!' Dr
Won Mach qualified his statement yes
terday. declaring tina. Re did no. mean
that German officer in this country
would be likely to go TO the Morgan
offices in Wall Street and forcibly take
Mr. Morgan in custody. =.
But | did mean, and | repeat II,
said DR.. Won Mach, that Mr.. Morgan
life wouldn't be worth much II, for in
stance. a ship on which he was trsv-
Cling should be halted by German
submarine and Mr.. Morgan taken of.
lie would not be entitled 10 the pro-
lection OF the United States govern
ment and would be treated by Germany
az an enemy who was working, not
openlv as a soldier. but stealthily and
in the guise of neutral. And you
know what happens TO enemies OF that
kind" =,
Or. Won Mach said that while Mr..
Morgan was safe within the confines
OF the United States, he would not be
safe if he should go to Canada or cruise
outside the three-mile limit in his
yacht.
Mr.. Wilcox said yesterday that he
was mortified that any such statements
should have been made in the school
buildings. He declared, however. that
II was question whether the Board
Of Education could take any action in
the matter, since it involved the whole
subject Of free speech.