The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-29

| 1 MT. Huddleston does not believe that the President knowingly permitted him ! selt to become the tool of the HoTegoing forces of evil Mir Huddleston does not believe that the President is hand-in- glove with the manufacturers of inuni- tions, who are willing that boys be l slaughtered in order that their own profits might be increased" It is evil dent however, that the Birmingham member holds that the President unwit- | tingly, in moment when he was devoid of his remarkable intellect, walked intA the trap which was openly stretched be- | fore him.
 THE DOWN TRODDEN MASSES In connection with the prepara tions for 1 war, MT. Huddleston believes that there IS an attempt underway to establish classes in America. In his address he referred to the idle rich" the upper ! classes" the socially right" and the discrimination which he believes will be exerted against the "sons of the masses" in the matter of commissions He spoke as follows:
 The system whereby officers for the new armies will be chosen has already been disclosed. They are to be taken from the idle rich men who have attended the Plattsburg camps, from college boys, and others of the upper classes The lowest commissioned officers are to be appointed only after rigid educational tests. It will take at least high school graduate to stand the examinations It is not proposed to appoint practical everyday sort of men, used to dealing with men and affairs as officers Rather It IS Intended to make commissions the prize of sort of Chinese pedantry which will exclude all but the best educated The truth is that there Is more concern to select men who are socially right than those who are capable of dealing With the practical concerns of army life
 An enlisted man of the regular army or National Guard will have no chance for commission based upon his record of honorable service and his capacity for performance of military duty
 I am receiving hundreds of letters from men of the upper class seeking commissions in the army. Not one of these has expressed a willingness to en- list as private. No worokingman has asked for a commission They know that there is no chance for them no mat ter how capable, generally speaking, they may be.
 Tt is one thing to pass conscription laws; another to enforce them. Always 1t Is easier to enforce the laws against the poor and humble. If any man esca pc their meshes, 1t is the classes having wealth and influence. Let no hard
  son of the capitalist serving alongside his son on terms of equality. A way will be found to avoid that. As last resort there are unmerited promotions and soft places to be found. perfunctory duties to be performed, easy clerzships, and such like The toll and the drudgery the dig. ging and the sweating will be reserved for the sons of the masses"
 In an indirect manner. MT Huddleston bitterly assailed the President of the United States. MT. Wilson declared that the United States will enter no war of conquest Mir. Huddleston, speaking d. rectly of those he considers cruel and bloodthirsty financiers, but indirectly and perforce including the President, said In his address:
 "The interests behind conscription are largely industrial and financial. It's champions are dreamers, but they dream mbad dreams of world conquest and ex- ploitation. Their dreams are of the American flag sent into the remote cor ners of the world to protect their opera tions and to guard the extensions of the system whereby they have brought Amer lea to their feet"
 More in elucidation of his contention that the war by conscription" is to be a war outlined and generated by the cap- tains of great wealth, MT Huddleston ex- claimed: