American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-10-08

Boise, Idaho, Oct. 8.-Interest In
Idaho political matters the past few
days has conferred around the volun-
tary retirement Of Chairman Taylor as
head of the Republican State commit
tee and certain expositions In regard to
some of the Non-Partisan league
leaders.
Chairman Taylor, prior TO the meet
ing of the Non-Partisan league conven-
ton, was asked by league leaders as
to the position of Frank R. GoOding
and D. w. Davis, later nominated by
the Republicans for United States en-
ator and governor, respectively, should
the Non-PartiSan convention indorse
them.
Mr.. Gooding has long fought much
the same elements as is represented in
the leadership Of the league, and
Chairman Taylor knew what strong
grounds he took. Without consulting
Mr.. Gooding he signed the latter's
name to a letter, stating that Mr.. Good
ing would accept the league nominal
ton for senator if rendered in the
right spirit, but that he was not solicit
ing II.
When the letter was made public by
the league leaders. Mr.. Gooding pro-
nounced it a forgery. AT that time
Chairman Taylor was in North Idaho,
en- route for Boise. When he returned
he admitted having written the letter.
he said it was generally understood at
that time hat the league intended TO
indorse the Republican platform and
s~traight-out Republican candidates,
and he believed he was performing a
service for his party. He said he had
also induced Mr.. Davis, whom he had
seen personally, to send a similar let
ter, but that the following day Mr..
Davis, on reconsideration, recalled il,
stating that his convictions were such
he could not see his way clear to re-
ceive the Endorsement Of an ~organiza-
ton. the leadership of which has been
shown to be VIGOROUSLY allied with
the I. W. W. and Socialists. and who
were ~endeavOring TO establish a Boil
sheviki regime IN this nation. There
was considerable criticism when Mr..
Taylor resigned.
Says He Is an |. w. W.
During the week a portion of the
evidence adduced at the trial of Bill
Haywood and other I. w. w. leaders
at Chicago was made public here in
fac-simile form. 1t was brought out
by Mr.. Gooding, following bitter at
tacks made on him by NOn-Partisan
league leaders. This evidence was in
the form of a letter from Arthur Le
Seuer. national secretary of the Non.
Partisan league. who has charge of the
work in Idaho, being conducted largely
by Ray McKaig and w. G. Scholtz.
lie Seuer wrote this letter to Bill Hay
wood on April ;, 1917. It was on sta
tionery of the Socialist college, Of
which Eugene Debs. recently sent 10
prison for ten years, was president
lie Seuer's name appeared as one Of
the officers of the college.
Against Government.
In this letter to Haywood. lie Seur
said, among other things. that 1t was
necessary in view of this damned
war" to fight anti-spy legislation. re-
ferring to the espionage bill. since en-
acted.
Governor Gooding points out that
this is only part Of the evidence show
ing the connection of the Non-Partisan
league leaders with the l. W. w, and
he declares that McKaig and Scholtz
are in the same class with lie Seuet
and are unfolding him in their work
among the farmers of Idaho.
Mr.. Gooding says that the fight now
being made on him is just a continue
ton Of the bitterness that has been
directed against him by Haywood and
the latter's associates ever since Good
ing was governor of Idaho and helped
to prosecute Haywood. Meyer and Pet.
tibone for conspiring to bring about
the assassination of Ex-Governor Steu-
member
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