The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-11-04
UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR HALL
GIVES GOV. Phillip CREDIT

Prof. Arnold B. Hall, of the depart
ment of political science, University
OF Wisconsin, in a letter to The Mil
waukee Sentinel protests as citizen
and a member of the legion at the
attack made upon Gov. Philip by the
Wisconsin Loyalty Legion. He says
/ CAS- an American citizen and a
member of the Wisconsin Loyalty le-
gion, l desire to protest against the
use of the legion's name for cam
paign of organized deception regard
| ing the war record of Gov. Philip
An organization that would honestly
and accurately assemble the facts rel
alive to candidates fitness for office
would render a great service to the
people Of the state.
For this reason l Indignantly pro-
test against the action of certain per-
sons, purporting to act under the
authority Of the Wisconsin Loyalty le-
gion, who, claiming to give impartial
and honest information regarding the
vital facts concerning Gov. Philip S
war record, have deliberately attempt
ed to mislead and deceive the public
'The alleged statement of Gov
| Philips war record contains excerpts
from his public addresses dealing with
six matters The first three had to do
with the sale of munitions the sale of
food, and the lOaning of money to the
allies. The second three had to do
with the governors public utterances
on the selective draft, On sending
separate peace.
ct is to be noted that the COVER
nor's statements on the three latter
were all made before the federal gov
eminent had taken definite action,
therefore, when it was legitimate for
the public to discuss these issues All
of the statements were made while
there was yet the greatest uncertain
y among public men. The article,
however, fails to note that in each case
when the federal government took a
stand Gov. Philip supported the po-
sition of the government with both
ability and fidelity
After quoting the opinions of Wash
.ngton officials regarding the efficien-
cy and zeal shown by Wisconsin in all
hese departments of war work, the
professor concludes as follows:
Il have made a careful study of
the governors public addresses, so
tar as they have been available, and
find no place where he has failed to
behalf Of every movement making for
the military efficiency of the United
States and for the support of the war
program and policies as enunciated
by President Wilson,
During the last year l have spoken
nection with the campaign of patri-
otto education. l studied the situation
as we'll as l was able, particularly in
those portions of the state where there
was some fear Of pro-German feeling.
AS a result Of this investigation and
experience. l have come to the con-
clusion that the most effective single
influence, in getting people of pro-
German SympathieS to understand and
to support ungrudgingly the policy
and the position of President Wilson,
vas Gov. Philip with his clear, con-
vincing and sympathetic presentation
of the American point of view.
I'm conclusion, may l call attention
to the fact that this is war for
democracy; that one of the reasons
we are fighting Germany is because
Germany is an enemy to the democ-
racies of the world
But l can conceive of no greater
enemy to democracy than those forces
| whether they be personal spite or
partisan hatred, which, under the
guise Of patriotic fervor, deliberately
plan and execute a campaign of Or
ganized deception to mislead the citi-
zens of a democracy as to the issues
| that are involved.
L submit that the circular which
purports to inform the public upon
the merits of Gov. Philips admins
tration, but which ignores the occom-
! plished facts and relies only upon
| carefully selected and isolated state
| ments, so selected as to convey a
false impression, is piece of DELHI
crate misrepresentation, inimical in
the extreme to the highest interests of
democracy
| Il desire to make no public defense
OF Gov. Philip. At times I have die-
Tered with him radically on ques-
lions OF policy, but in justice to the
governor and in fairness to the peo-
pie OF the state who might otherwise
be mislead by the alleged impartial
circular, [ have felt constrained to
voice this protest.