New-York tribune., 1918-06-17
Statement by w. T. Arndt
Also Praises Hylan for
Vetoing Bills
Attacks Old Party Men
Both Republicans and Demo-
Gratis Censured for Work
in the Legislature

The belief expressed by some OF the
members of the Legislature at the
close of the last session, that the Citi-
zsns Union had become an annex of
the Socialist party was given further
support by the statement issued yes
.erday by the Citizens Union in it's
summary of the work of the legislators
from Manhattan and The Bronx. The
statement praised the work of the So
cialists ard ignored the disloyal record
of some of them even to n greater ex-
tent chan the one made by the legisla
tive committee of the Citizens Union
at the close of the session. In fact the
statement CLOSED over the disloyalty
record entirely.
The Citizens Union statement, which
is marked as coming from Walter T.
Arndt, secretary, also praises Mayor
Hylan for "having vetoed a number of
hills which would have benefited in
dividuals or groups in the community
a. the expense of the taxpayers.
Practically every Democrat and Re-
publican member from Manhattan and
The Bronx was censured, while the
seven Socialists from the two boroughs,
most of whom blocked war measures
and fought patriotic bills, were given
unstinted praise with one exception.
Eulogy of Socialist Activities
The statement contains no summary
Of the Democratic members or the Re-
publican members as whole, but con-
cerning the Socialists, the following
eulogy appeared
THE Socialist members succeeded
very generally in obtaining, sooner or
later, depste and roll calls on the mat
ters concerning which they took de-
cded stand. In fact, as between the
two houses, the Assembly was this year
BY far the more deliberative body.
"Protracted discussion and long roll
calls were had in that house upon mat
ters which were perfunctorily disposed
of in the Senate. This was in large
measure due to the close application
to the work and the untiring energy
Of the Socialist minority. In the main
it had healthy effect upon the pro-
cecdings and made the Assembly ses-
sons much more interesting for those
seriously concerned with legislation.
CAS- the session advanced the bitter
denunciation of the troublesome ten
by members who resented their atti-
tude upon national questions practi-
cally ceased This was due to recog-
milton of the fact that these new
members were generally acting intel
ligently and contributing substantially
TO the work Of the house."
Socialist Called Traitor
The fact is that toward the end of
the session one of the Socialists was
ifnl l. 4a+1
who has a son fighting in France and
New York City man introduced
resolution calling for the expulsion of
another Socialist for uttering alleged
seditious remarks.
1t is also fact that the Republican
and Democratic leaders of the AS
sembly discussed the advisabllity Of
proceeding with an impeachment of
one of the Socialists for alleged sedi-
tious statements, but decided that by
SO doing they would be only playing
into the hands of the Socialist mi
nority.
1t is also a fact that loyal Socialists
Z who followed the work of the Social
lists in the Assembly have declared
that they would not participate in
party affairs until 100 per cent Ameri-
cans were at the head of the Socialist
party in this city and state and nation.
One of them in speaking with a repre-
sentative of The Tribune said:
Il have been candidate for one
Office after another on the Socialist
ticket The last time / ran ! was
candidate for state office. But Pm
through with this bunch until they
learn what wholesouled Americanism
means"
The Socialists in he.Assembly, how
ever, satisfy the Citizens Union. or
Its secretary, Mr.. Arndt.