New-York tribune., 1918-08-08
Statewide Battle Opened
on Dis,oyal Press by New
Organization
Hartford Takes Lead;
Other Towns Joining
Business Houses Display
Placards Calling for Ac-
ton by Patriotic Citizens
Especial Dispatch to The Tribune)

papers from that state. Sporadic at
tempts have been made in various
parts of the state in the last two
months. Now the Connecticut Patriotic
League has been started in this city
for the purpose of correlating the diff
ferent local movements, so that an or
ganized, concerted, statewide fight
may be waged against the un-Ameri-
can press.
The league is expected to have
branches in every Connecticut COM
munity whose citizens object to pro-
German publications.
Call Sent to Loyal
Although scarcely week old, the
Connecticut Patriotic League has al
ready fired considerable ammunition at
the unAmerican newspapers. Large
placards in red have been posted over
the city. calling upon the 900 Per
Cent Loyal to quit reading the news
papers which, since this country en-
tered the war, have attacked our allies
and defended and praised the Huns.
Hundreds of the coat lapel buttons, in
scribed 81 Do Not Read Hearst Pa
pers," have been distributed free and
newsdealers have been urgd to discon-
tinue the sale of un-American publ
cations.
The placards are now being dis
played in some of the leading Hart
ford business places, including the
Phoenix Bank; Security Trust Com
pany, Alderman's drug store, Stack
pole, Moore Tryon drug store; Cry
ger Cigar Company and Newton drug
store.
The placards explain the purposes of
the league, give reasons why the Hearst
papers are considered disloyal, name
those publications and at the bottoms
invite readers to ask for an anti
Hearst button. A supply of buttons
was left at the places where the
placards were posted.
This is the first Connecticut city in
which the ant-Hearst emblems have
been distributed free to any great ex-
tent. In other places the buttons have
been sold for one cent each. the cost
price for small lots charged by the
originator of the emblems, Lieutenant
Claude W. Boyntan. IS William Street,
New York City.
The Connecticut Patriotic League
was started by R. E. l.. Beals, 500 Pros
pect Avenue, eastern representative for
a large wall paper concern. Mr. Beals
was one of the first Connecticut cit
izens to urge the ostracism Of un-
American newspaper shortly after
the Presidents Memorial Day procla-
nation SO that it read as if Mr. Will
son wanted the American people to
pray for peace instead of for victory.
Favors Militant Campaign
"I started the Connecticut Patriotic
League only after other patriotic or
CARNATIONS in the state had failed to
proceed against the un-American press
in militant manner" Mr.. Beals said
to-day at is needless TO say that in
state like this there has been plenty
of public sentiment against the Hearst
papers. All that is needed to harness
that sentiment to something that will
count is little organization such as
the Connecticut Patriotic League can
give.
81 expect to see branches formed in
towns all over the state Take DAN
bury for instance. The citizens there
have asked their city councilmen to
pass an ordinance to bar disloyal news
papers. Citizens who feel that way
locally about the un-American news
papers will not be slow in joining a
statewide movement. AS soon as the
branches are formed I expect there
will be state convention of the
league"
Placards Warn of Disloyalty
The leagues placard reads as fol-
lows:
THE CONNECTICUT PATRIOTIC
LEAGUE.
"The object and purpose of this
league is to patronze and harbor
only such of our public press as we
know to be undivided in their loyalty
to the winning of this war by a
crushing military defeat for German
arms
eve want no loyalfaking Ger
manophile newspaper to desecrate the
confines of this loyal state.
This league is independent of and
in no way advanced by or affili-
ated with our Council of Defence,
Security League, any organization
connected with or representing our
government politically or otherwise
or any newspaper interests. But
everybody is urged to join in for
warding this patriotic movement
"SINCE THIS COUNTRY ENTERED
THE WAR
Hearst papers have printed:
Seventy flour attacks on our
Allies. Each constituting an at
tack on this country.
Seventeen instances of defence
or praise of Germany to the
Kaiser's delight.
"Sixty-three pieces of anti-war
propaganda. Were these no. OBJ
structive attempts?
"A dcletion Of the PRAYER for
victory in President Wilson's
Memorial Day proclamation, there .
by curtaillng It's solemnty and
righteous force
"Thc entire collection Of the fore
going disloyal propaganda is on file
"Hcarzt papers have attacked and
ridiculed President Wilson, Secrc-
tary Baker and Secretary Daniels.
Hearst is now fattering these Off
cials TO gain their patronage, hoping
thereby to shield himself from the
surging wrath Of loyal citizens
throughout the United States against
his disloyal utteranccs
"Hearzt's famboyant display Of
our flag, Red Cross and other at
tcmpts 10 camoufagc cannot dupe
.hose Of ug who are
400 PER CENT LOYAL.
"Honor our soldiers and cur
sailors, our Red Cross. Y. NJ. e. A.,
SaIyation Army and Knightz of Co
lurnbua for Their mol Ic work.
"Cofne out, you loyal supportcre