New-York tribune., 1918-02-27
Board in Uproar Over Re-
fusal to Aid Savings
Campaign
Cowardice Charged
And Rope Mentioned
Despite Bitter Attack Lee
and Followers Vote
Against Measure

Seven Socialist members o. the
Board Of Aldermen American Boil
sheviki." they were called-were the
targets FOX heavy verbal barrage from
s the other aldermen at the meeting of
the board yesterday. There were
threats OF lynching party. and cries
Of "Traitors." "Cowards," "Oisloy-
ally 10 the fag,' Other such epithets
were hurled at Algernon Lee, the So
cialist spokesman, and his six associ-
atcs.
/. The refusal of the Socialists to do
their bit in the campaign for selling
war savings stamps brought upon their
heads the wrath Of the other fifty mem
bers of the board. and turned the meet
ing into a tumultuous demonstration
against the "cowardly and un-Ameri-
can attitude of the Socialist members.
The uproar followed the introduction Of
resolution by Alderman O'Rourke, of
Staten Island, for the formation Of a
war savings society to include all the
aldermen.
Alderman William P. Kenneallv. who
halls from the district of Charles f.
Murphy, shaking his fist in the direc-
ton OF Alderman Lee, invited him to
come into the adjoining room, where, he
declared, he would make him kiss the
American flag or throw him out of the
window.
Talks of 1.-The Rope"
What is wanted in this city" said
Alderman Kenneally, "is a patriotic
committee that will use the rope on
every disloyal person"
The alderman was interrupted by
= loud cheering and shouts OF denuncia-
ton OF the Socialists from all parts of
the chamber and the galleries.
Il don't believe that any man with q
spark of Americanlsm in him." he con-
tinued, "or drop of red blood.in his
veins should sit with any traitors to
the Hag. l would not hesitate fer one
moment IN committing deliberate mur-
der of any man who is a traitor TO the
flag. would consider it an honor to go
10 the electric chair for such an Of
fence
c. P. Wiley, a member Of the COM
mlttee on war savings societies of the
National War Savings Committee. ap-
aldermen to form d society to help in
the drive for the sale of the thrift
stamps. Alderman O'Rourke had hardly
offered his resolution TO that effect
when Alderman Lee arose and launched
INTO an attack upon the war stamp cam
paign, declaring that it was tax upon
the poor.
He knew
81 know the stand | am going to take
on behalf of myself and my six associ-
ates won't increase my popularity" he
said, "but we believe the cost of this
war ought to be placed on the wealth
accumulated by crushing the poorer
people. This campaign is virtual in
direct taxation of the poorest of the
people. 1t is a virtual coercion upon
the most helpless part Of the popula-
ton. We intend TO vote in the negative
on this resolution"
Alderman Arnon l.. Squiers, Repub-
iican, of Brooklyn was first recognized
py the chair from among the turbulent
throng of members who sought to pet
the privilege of the floor
ne remarks just made constitute
direct disloyalty," said Alderman
Squers. There is no middle ground
SO tar is patriotism is concerned. We
all know where these Socialists stand
they're of the type that betrayed Russia
and would betray this country if they
dared Alderman Lee needn't have said
that he wouldn't support the resolu-
ton; we knew it beforehand; but it is
not the time for him or anybody else to
explain these objections. | charge. and
accept the challenge, that this is abso-
lute direct disloyalty to the govern
ment."
Another Broadside
Alderman William T. Collins. Demo
trat, fired the next broadside. He said
that he had hoped that after associat
ing for two months with the rest os
the members the Socialist Aldermen
would change their "cowardly, un-
american sentiments" He declared
that it was'a shame and disgrace for
-thc city to tolerate such talk
at is n shame for any man to saw
he won't take part" Alderman Collins
fairly shouted. "They must take part.
We must take part. What would hap
pen If the boys over there said thew
would not take part? The government
gives these men every opportunity.
They are even allowed to come in as
nembers Of the Board Of Aldermen.
And the government expects them to
stand up like men not lay down like
common, ordinary dogs"
~ vas CuNit NhoI <tiGtlilldU hCnncGHy
got the floor and spoke Of ropes and
other things. Alderman William F..
Quinn and others declared that there
vas sufficient grounds in the remarks
OF Alderman Lee for ciecting all the
Socialist Aldermen He asked the
board to take steps to get rid Of
these American Bolsheviki"
Alderman Lee was given a chance to
w1hdraw' his remarks. but he only re-
,,Ierated them, deriding Alderman
henneally in a sarcastic vein and de-
caring that it was not the first time
she Alderman had threatened him with
bodily harm. Angry Aldermen began
TO shake their fists at the Socialists
shd threaten them again. The tumult
S9.arIed 9d anew, when Borough President
lowing interrupted the riotous pro.
.eedings by demanding vote on the
resolution. 1t was carried bv vote
u. ", oo to 7, the Socialists standing by
S'sir guns and voting in the negative.
no steps were taken by the board ia
eAPeis the Socialist members. There
sswas difference of opinion as to tho
Sower OF the board in that respect
@ neme Of the Aldermen thought thev
would find way to do it. Others
seemed seemed to think it might be incx.
ftksuieht- as 1T would tend Only to make
@ lem appear to their constituents ne