New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-26
Bell Tells Why
He Barred Hillquit
From Camp Upton
Socialist Candidate Re-
fused to Agree in Writing
Not to Attack War

Mayor Mitchell yesterday made pub
lie a letter which he received from
Major General J. F. Bell concerning
the refusal OF the military authorities
to permit Morris Hillquit, Socialist
candidate for Mayor, to address the
soldiers at Camp Upton.
Explaining that he had based. his
refusal on war regulations, General
Bell said the committee Of Socialists
who applied to him in person for the
permit agreed to put in writing their
verbal promise that Mr.. Hillquit would
not speak "in opposition to the war"
The delegates failed to do this, says
General Bell. Later, he said, he found
the municipal platform upon which Mr..
Hillquit is running contains planks
not only in opposition TO the war, but
in favor Of the repeal of the con-
scription law.
The letter says In part:
General Bells Letter
"My Dear Mayor: l have just re-
ceived your letter of yesterday stating
that you had received letter from
James J. Bagley, chairman of the
Hillquit Non-Partisan League, protest
ing against the exclusion of Mr.
Hillquit from the privilege accorded
to all the other candidates to address
political meetings at Camp Upton.
81 shall endeavor, by stating the
facts, to give you a correct impression
of my action and Of the circumstances
which necessitated taking it.
"On October ( gave to the press
set of regulations, drawn up in seven
paragraphs, under which the privilege
Of holding public meetings within this
cantonment were TO be permitted
"On October II two gentlemen,
composing a committee appointed by
the Central Campaign Committee of
the Socialist party of Greater New
York, met me near my office door and
verbally informed me that they had
come to see me to get permission 70
make arrangements for Mr.. Hillquit,
the candidate for Mayor of the So
cialist party of Greater New York, TO
address the men in this camp.
II requested them to come into my
Office and dictate a letter TO my
stenographer. thus placing their re-
quest in writing, remarking that
had thus far gotten all persons MAX
ing similar requests TO put them In
writing and that | had replied in the
same. One of them remarked TO me,
In substance, that, of course, Mr..
Hillquit would confne himself 10 the
issues Of the campaign and would not
discuss in his addresses matters in
volving opposition to war or words
TO that effect.
81 asked II he would not incorpo-
rate this assurance in his written re-
quest, and he replied TO the effect
that he would If l thought it neces-
sary. stated, in substance, that
thought il best TO have all he had 10
say concerning the matter in writing.
Assurance Was Missing
when the letter was finished and
handed TO me ! noticed that this as
surance had not been incorporated
therein and remarked upon IL, where
upon IL was stated, in substance, that,
after consultation with the other mem
bers of the committee, he or they had
concluded that the request that their
candidate be permitted Ito address
the electors at Camp Upton on the
issues of this municipal campaign
covered it all and that il was not nee
essary to say anything else.
81 then exhibited q printed copy OF
the Municipal Platform of the So
cialist party, and got it identified as
correct by the committee. II contained
an Endorsement Of "the stand taken by
the Socialist party of the United
States in opposition to war" and a
pledge Of hearty support" in its eff
forts "to procure the repeal of the
Consumption law"
asked for time TO consider their
request and promised TO reply to it
the next day. which | did.
~ have never expressed or intimsted
to any one that ! considered Hr. Hill
quits doctrine "tYessonabls" or "uu-