New-York tribune., 1918-04-20
MASSES" Editors
Were Consulted ON
Fighting Draft Bill
Letter From Students Who
Met in La Follette's Office
Introduced at Trial
BY BRIGGS

Conscientious objectors who met in
Senator La Follette's office in Madison,
Wis, last spring and opponents of
Americas participation in the war who
lived in other parts of the country ap-
pealed to Max Eastman, managing edi-
tor Of "The Masses" as to what thew
should do to fight the enactment of the
conscription law, then pending before
Congress.
This was brought out yesterday in
the cross-examination of Mr.. Eastman.
who with three of his co-workers is on
trial before Federal Judge Augustus
Hand on charge of using the maga-
zine to obstruct enlistment and recruit
ing. Mr.. Eastm-.l testified ne had
never advised any one to evade the law
or to take any steps other than to de-
mand the repeal of certain laws.
The TACT that students of the Uni
verslty OF Wisconsin met in Senator
La Follette's office was brought out in
letter presented as evidence by AS
sistant District Attorney Earl Barnes.
The letter was from Miles l.. Colean
and SAID in part:
What can | do to aid in forwarding
the revolutionary movement, and, in
the face of conscription and war condi-
tlons generally, what attitude would
you advise me to take? | am a student
here at the University of Wisconsin.
though sincerely radical in my beliefs,
l belong to no definite group other
than that of six pilotless youths, who
meet weekly in Senator La Follette's
office for discussion"
In reply Mr.. Eastman sent copv
of THE Masses" and wrote a letter
saying, III you get in touch with the
organizations which are at work y0u
will find appropriate things suggested
to you, | am sure"
Answering 81 letter from New Or
leans as to what stand organized paci-
fists in New York would take "in the
event of conscription," Mr.. Eastman
said:
"No position in advance has been
taken by any existing organization.
But l feel sure that riotous resist
ance would follow an attempt to CON
script for service in Europe"
Replying to questions by Morris
Eillquit, counsel for the defence, the
witness said all these communications
were dated before the conscription law
went into effect.
What did you mean when you said
rlotous resistance would follow an at
tempt to conscript for service in Eu-
rope?" asked Mr.. Hillquit
.! was wrought up about that time /"
said the witness. at was not uncom-
mon for people then to hold opposite
opinions about conscription. I think f.
was Speaker Clark who said con-
script was no better than a convict.
When the law did pass it was on a d.
-vided vote"
The names of Emma Goldman and
Alexander Berkman, the anarchists.
again were injected into the testimonv''
Mr. Barnes offered as evidence a letter
signed by Miss Goldman, inviting Mr.
Eastman to attend conference at 6O3
West 139th Street last May "to discuss
this terrible conscription business" Mr..
Eastman said he did not attend the CON
ference.
Mr.. Eastman had completed his testi-
mony when court adjourned until Mon
day morning. Then the examination of
Merrill Rogers. business manager of the
magazine; Arthur Young, n cartoonist.
and Floyd Dell, the editor, who are
jointly indicted with Mr.. Eastman, will
be begun
Among those present yesterday were
James w. Gerard, former Ambassador
to Germany; DR.. Scott Nearing. and
Randolph Bourne, writer.