South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-08
HOUSE WILL PROBE
SECURITY LEAGUE
SeIf-ASSumed KnOW-It-AII of
American Patriotism in
Danger of Searching.

WASHINGTON, oct. S.-Aroused
by the INSCRIPTIONS attacks made
upon its patriotism and American
ism in the brOadsides Of the Nation
al Security league, the house OF rep
resentatives is taking steps for an
investigation of that organization,
its personnel its political and big
business" affiliations and the source
of its funds. A resolution has been
introduced by Congressman James
A Frear of Wisconsin. one Of the
ablest and most conscientious mem
bers Of the house. the man noted
for his success IN knocking the
pork" out of the great appropria
ton bills for public buildings and
rivers ard harbors-providing for
an investigation of the league by the
house judiciary committee. There
are plenty of presidents for such
an inquiry-the sO-called Lawson
probe for example-and It is gen
orally agreed that the resolution will
be adopted and the probe started i'm
mediately after the November cleo
lions.
III Lilt AlltdAAAalE LOlA F1l N11 "a
Ferris, chairman Of the democratic
congressional committee. has start
ed a little investigation Of his own.
He has been Informed by members
that the National Security league
has made plans TO horn in" on the
Liberty loan drive with -four min
ute men" Of its own who. in addi-
ton TO boosting the Liberty loan.
will adrOitly sandwich in arguments
for universal military training. Dur
ing the big third Liberty loan drive
the league. It is said, did precisely
that on at least one occasion when
one Of its most distinguished Off
Gals mixed up the Liberty loan and
universal military training and serv-
ice in a way 20 suggest that the two
were fundamentally IL not official
ly related. The report that the
league is planning 20 do this on
nationwide scale has aroused
friends OF the administration In the
house and may draw forth official
comment on the improperly Of thus
mixing issues during a purely pa
triotic drive.
This has been a hard year on the
league. In June il lost its president
and founder. s. Stanwood Menken,
who was forced 10 resign on &C
count OF an interview he gave out
applauding William Randolph
Hearst for what the latter has done
for universal military training
The terms OF the Frear resolution.
calling for an investigation Of the
methods and personnel OF the Ma
tional Security league. are sufficient
" broad TO insure. II adopted, real
probe into the affairs OF that super
patriotic and well-hnanced body. To
IS a matter OF lively interest 20 al
most everyone in the country who
has been flooded with material from
the league There IS scarcely a
weekly paper which has not repeat
eddy been offered by the league free
plate matter" on the beauties % a
conscript training 81 stem after the
war
According 20 recent private
bulletin Of the league. this plate
matter" has been paid for BE- one
Ridley Watts Who's who contains
no mention OF Nr. Watts but the di-
rectOry OF directors puts him down
a. one or the directors Of the
Chemical National bank OF New
York city Perhaps a congressional
probe into the activities ~ the
league will explain still further
where their funds come from and
= ~ a
their attacks upon the patriotism OF
everybody who does not agree with
them