The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-31
PACIFIST,
SENTENCED TO YEAR
Bay State Man Of Old Ameri-
can Stock Defends Atti-
tude on War.
SYMPATHY WITH l. w. w.
Educator and Social Worker
Makes No Defence for
Evading Draft.

Roger N. Baldwin, an educator and
social worker who refused to submit
to physical examination In the draft,
was sentenced yesterday to years
imprisonment In Federal pentitentiary
by Judge Julius NJ. Mayer in the United
States District Court. He was one OF
a group of paclfst intellectuals who
maintained at 20 Fifth avenue bureaus
for tho relief of professors against tho
war;
Baldwin pleaded guilty and read
statement in which he declared that six
years ago his sympathies nearly caused
him TO ally himself with the i. w. W..
In which he hoped to find relief from
nervous unrest caused by the failure
of social and political movements In
which he had part to alleviate the con-
dition of the masses.
81 thought better OF It," said the de-
PENDANT. MY traditions were against
il. But ever since I have felt myself
heart and soul with the worldwide radi-
cal movements for industrial and politi-
cal freedom and more and more impa-
tient with reform.
IT have had an essentially American
and background. Born in a
suburban town of Boston. Mass, OF the
stock of the first settlers, / was reared
In the public schools and at Harvard
college. Early my mind was caught by
the age old struggle for freedom.
America meant to me a vital new ex-
pertinent In free political institutions"
Leaned to tho I. w. w.
The defendant explained that his in
terest in social problems led him. on
leaving college. to go TO st. Louis, where
he became an instructor In sociology
at Washington University and a settle
ment worker. Ten years OF this work.
he said, made him doubtful of the posi-
bility of improving the condition OF the
poor through such agencies and led him
very nearly to membership In the l. W.
w. as a manual worker
Baldwin explained that he registered
because the Office of the Civil Liberties
Bureau had been raided by agents of the
Department OF Justice and he wished TO
direct its affairs for the time being with
out interference. On October he was
ordered by his local board to report for
a physical examination. He reported in
stead to the United States Attorney, ex-
planned his case, and announced himself
willing to stand prosecution. He was
committed to the Tombs prison. He re-
fused to accept bail as a matter Of prin-
ciple.
at might well be argued that any
man holding my views might have
avoided the issue by obeying the law
either on the chance OF being rejected on
physical grounds or on the chance of the
war stopping before the call to service"
he said. Il am not seeking to evade the
draft. I scorn evasion. compromising
and gambling with moral issues.
Opposed to CONSUMPTION.
81 am opposed to any service under
CONSUMPTION. l can make no moral dis
tinction between the various services
which assist In the prosecution OF the
warm the trenches. in the purchase of
bonds or Thrift Stamps or in raising
farm products under the lash OF the
draft act
The defendant declared that the Civil
Liberties Bureau. an outgrowth OF the
American Union Against Militarism, was
organized TO maintain free speech and
free press. He declared that In Offering
his services to these organizations he
took the one avenue of cooperation that
was consistent with his views.
Judge Mayer ordered that the twenty
days Baldwin has spent In the Tombs be
counted as part Of his sentence. The
court said that he had no doubt but
that the defendant was sincere and had
been honest In not trying by technlcali-
ties to avoid the consequences OF his re-
fusal to submit to examination. The
court added that the Government will
last only as long as its laws are obeyed.
Baldwin, wha Is "a years old. lived at
West Eighty-third street. He Is I'M
married. Among his friends In court
were Rose Pastor Stokes. DR.. Judah l..
Magnes Mr.. and Mrs. Scott Nearing,
the Rev. Norman Thomas and Walter
Nelles.