Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-20
SECURITY LEAGUE
I AIMS EXPLAINED
Continuing Statement, Presi-
dent Lydecker Declares It
+. Purely Patriotic.


Of the National Security League, con-
tinued on the stand when the hearing
of the special House committee ap-
pointed to investigate activities of
the league resumed it's hearings to-
day. The committee decided to ad-
3ourn after the hearing ends today
until Monday. January 6. on account
of the Christmas and New Year holt
days.
Representative Walsh of Massa-
chusetts questioned Col. Lydecker
regarding the purpose of the league
when it was first organized. The COL
onel replied that it's purpose then
since. "arousing the country to
sense of it's unpreparedness." The
league was inspired by purely pa
triotic motives, he said.
when the league was organized"
Mr.. Walsh asked, did the members
believe that the people of the United
States were not sufficiently patriotic
to desire preparedness for their coun-
try, and did the league consider it
its duty to not only stimulate this
patriotism, but to advocate Americas
entrance into the war;"
Aim Was to Educate People.
"The league intended to enlighten
and educate the people on the subject
, of preparedness so they might dis
; play the proper interest in regard to
it," Col. Lydecker replied.
Elihu Root. Secretary of War under
president Roosevelt's administration
and Secretary of the Navy under
+. president Taft's administration. and
, Former Judge Alton b. Parker, de-
s5eated for President by Mr.. Roosevelt
Tin 1904, have been active members of
the league, Col Lydecker said.
After the last election. Col. Ly-
;sences with Mr.. Root and Judge Par
.Rer, in which plans were discussed
Sffor a reconstruction congress" to
tsbe held under the auspices of the
E1eague. He did not say what con-
HclusionS were reached.
Questioned by Mr.. Walsh regarding
fmames of chairmen of various commit
f1ees of the league, Col. Lydecker said
Henry L. Stimson, former Secretary
of War. was chairman of the military
ieommittee, and J. Bernard Walker.
editor of the Scientific American. was
chairman of naval affairs committee.
These committees went out of exist
once at the start of the war. he said.
Replies He Is a Democrat.
In reply to a question regarding his
political beliefs. Col. Lydecker said he
was a democrat by inheritance ana
conviction" and was a member of
Tammany Hall and the Democratic
League.
Col Lydecker was asked why it was
the leagues test chart" by which
records of congressman should be
judged. had contained no measures
voted on or since April %, 1917.
, you know, as president of the
league" Mr. Walsh stated. that Con-
sress loyalty supported all measures
advocated by the President since that
date, and all were of major import
ance. Why did not the league recog-
nize that?"
MY feeling was that there was
I not a single man who dared to vote
against the President" Col. Lydecker
replied. ''They couldn't refuse to
support the war at that time, as a
{ storm of protest throughout the coun-
try would have been aroused"
$50 you say the congressman were
inspired by fear?" Mr.. Walsh asked.
Perhaps not fear, but they prob
: ably realized it would not have been
TO their best interests to have voted
wrong at that time," the colonel an
swered
Yesterday Won said action Of Con-
gress as a whole during the war has
been magnificent" Mr.. Walsh added
"If that was the case how did you
expect to aid in winning the war by
defeating the congressman who made
up that magnificent Congress-"
II didn't say they should be de-
feated"
Wanted the People to Judge.