Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1917-12-21
PATRIOTIC LEAGUE
RAPS LA TOILETTE
County Organization Adopts Resolu-
ton Declaring Congressman
Should Give Undivided
support to Government

Declaring that Congressman Will
lam L. LaFollette of Pullman has
given expression to sentiments not in
keeping with the spirit of the times
and derogatory to the best interests
of the government, the Whitman
County Patriotic league, in a spirited
meeting at Colfax Tuesday evening.
adopted resolutions calling upon the
congressman to give his undivided
support to tn government in the pres
ent crisis. The resolution was as fol-
lows:
Whereas, William l.. LaFollette,
our representative in congress, has
given public expression to iil-consid-
War in which we are now engaged.
and
Whereas, His attitude meets with
the disapprobation of the members of
this league, therefore be it
Resolved, That it is the sentiment
of the Patriotic League of Colfax and
Whitman County that it is the sol
emn duty of William l.. LaFollette
as a citizen and as a public official
to render his undivided support to
this government.
W. B. HARGRAVE,
NJ. j. CHAPMAN,
H. NJ. LOVE,
Committee.
Following a scathing arraignment
of Representative LaFollette by w.
L. Hargrave, chairman of the COM
man LaFollette's speech in congress
opposing the war and denouncing
President Wilson for bringing it on,
the largest audience ever assembled
at a meeting of the Patriotic league
voted unanimously to pass the reso-
luton, give it to the press, send it to
the speaker of the house of repre-
sentatives at Washington, d. c., and
ask that action be taken against. the
representative from the Fourth con-
gressional district of Washington.
The meeting was the warmest ever
held by the league. State Senator
Oliver Hall and the Rev John L.
Hogue defended Representative La
Toilette
Speeches condemning Representa-
tive LaFollette in the strongest terms
were made by W. b. Hargrave and
l, l.. Ettinger of ColfaX and NJ. j.
Chapman and d. c. Dow of Pullman.
When the vote was finally taken
Senator Hall voted in favor of it.
Copies of the resolution will be
telegraphed to Speaker Champ Clark,
with request that congress investl-
gate w. L. LaFollette's war record as
the senate is investigating that of his
cousin, Robert NJ LaFollette, senator
from Wisconsin.
The action of the Patriotic league
was largely the result of a letter writ
ten by Representative LaFollette to
James Parmelee, a State College stu
dent, who asked advice as to his en-
listment in the military service. The
letter, which is certified as a true
copy by d. c. Dow of Pullman, is as
: follows:
Washington, d. c., May II, 1917.
Mr.. James Parmelee, SO Colorado
Street, Pullman, Wash.
Dear Mr.. Parmelee;
Your letter in regard to your duty
to your country in the deplorable
crisis which has arisen, and asking
my advice in reference to the mat
ter, was duly received. Unfortu-
nately, after being laid aside until
could get time to give it my per-
sonal thought and attention, it was
overlooked in the shuttle and my
answer delayed. You ask my opln-
Ion as to what | thought would DC
the best place for a man OF your
standing to serve his country during
this time of war. To be honest Win
You, think the best place for man
OF education along the lines you nave
chosen, would be just as many thou-
sand miles away from the war III
Europe as possible, as in my JUG
ment for the next year or two 10
come those who serve there will not
serve very long in most any service
In which they engage, for that mas
been the record of those serving III
this terrible conflict.
1t 10 altogether problematic as 10
just what branch of the service you
could enter and give the best service
Continued on page fiye)