New-York tribune., 1918-12-20
League Fought
For Best Men
For Congress
Col. Lydecker Testifies Ma
tsonal Security Society
Opposed Pro Germans
"Acid 'rests'' Are Applied
uouse Committee Is Making
Investigation of Cam
paign Activities of Body

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.--Investiga-
son of the activities of the National
Security League Of New York, in op-
nosing reelection of Members of Con-
rress during the last campaign began
today before special House com,
mittee headed by Representative John
son. of Kentucky. The entire day was
taken up with the examination of Col
onel Charles E. Lydecker, president of
the league, but many other officials of
the organization will be heard later.
Colonel Lydecker told the commit
tee that the avowed purpose of the
league last fall was to return to Con-
gress men with broad vision and fore
sight and "who would be 100 per cent
American in their beliefs"
Against Pro-Germans
"Not to mention any Names" Colonel
Lvdecker said. ~ can safely say that
would have been sorely disappointed to
AVE seen certain Congressman re-
.rrned to office. Our efforts were
used against those men, some of whom
seemed decidedly pro- German. and
many were defeated, in some instances
BY fusion. The action of Congress as
whole during the great crisis Just
passed was magnificent, but unfortu-
nstely there were certain members
whose loyalty could be questioned. 1t
was those men the league opposed"
Pamphlets giving eight "acid tests"
by which the loyalty of congressman
should be judged were Circulated
throughout the country, Colonel Ly-
al, J.
The votes of members on preparedness
measures which had been before Con-
gress and which the league believed
we're for the welfare Of the country.
Names Of Congressman who voted
against the measures were included in
the pamphlets.
"At no time during the campaign
was the league Influenced by any parti-
san or political considerations" Colonel
Lydecker stated. ''It was actuated
solely by a desire to see the country
end the war as speedily as possible.
We may have made mistakes, but if
We did they were made unintentionally.
We campaigned for nobody and were
entirely aboveboard."
The acid tests were criticised by sew
eral members of the committee as
being unjust Many preparedness
iucdSuIcS ASIo uOL luCiuUSQ WHICH were
Just as important as the eight given,
members stated, and in addition the
league did not explain that many Con-
gressmen had motives for voting as
they did which would have cleared
them of any suspicion Of disloyalty if
made known.
Other Members To Be Heard
Colonel Lydecker stated that the ex-
nenses of the league from September /,
1917, to August 81, 1918. amounted to
S226,018. and the receipts totalled S2S4,-
S5S in the same period. During the
Congressional campaign, he stated, the
league spent s5,995 68 for postage, sal
aries, printing, furniture and other ex-
penses. The receipts for this campaign
amounted TO $S.752.S5
Records Of the league were brought
to the hearing for examination by The
committee. Other officials of the or
ganization are here to be heard. They
are Dr.. Robert M. McElroy, educationa.
director; Henry L. West, executive
secretary; Charles D. Orth, chairman
Of the Congressional committee; Lloyc
Taylor, chairman of the universal
training committee; S. Stanwood Men
ken, former president; Frederic r
Coudert, member executive committee
3. l. Harvey, publicity director, ant
7. D. Colhoun. cashier.