Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-12-18
ATTACK IS MADE
ON PROTECTIVE
LEAGUE IN TRIAL.
Attorney for Berger in Cross
Questioning Witness Ac-
CuseS League of Judging
Patriotism of Others,


Chicago Dec. 17--An attack on the
American Protective league ana its
activities WIS made today by Attor-
ney Seymour Stedman, chief counsel
for the defense at today's session of
the trial of five socialist leaders
charged with violation OF the espion-
age law
Fred C.. Hin and Mark Sheridan,
two members of the organization,
were called by the government to re-
peat alleged anti-war sentiments ex-
pressed by several of the defendants
at a socialist meeting held in Chicago
December 81. 1917.
In cross examining Hill Attorney
Stedman asked number of questions
regarding the American Protective
league and its work.
What are the objects of this or
ganization? 20 asked Attorney Stedman.
ITO uphold the constitution of the
United States replied Hin.
rs it not a fact that it seeks to
judge the patriotism of others?"
mo. Its members investigate com
plants against individuals charged
with dsloyalty.'
ut has no authority under the law,
has it?"
1T operates in cooperation and
with the approval of the department
of justice as | understand It,"
Have you ever read the constitu-
ton of the United Statcs?"
mo, not all the way through
Then you have sworn TO uphold
something you have never read ?"
II know what it means as I have
read many sections of Vt at different
| times" replied the witness fG con-
cusion.
! The audience laughed and District
I Attorney Clyne protested to Judge
lands at the interruption
Il observe that there is gallery
here at allf times to give the proper
| intonation to points made by counsel
for the defense and want to object" "
said Attorney Ciyne.
! The court cautioned the audience
| against interruption again
| Says I. w W.'s Welcomed.
! Sheridan and Hill testified that
! William +. Kruse and Rev. Irwin St.
John Tucker. two of the defendants,
| delivered addresses at the socialist
meeting December 81, 1917, at Wicker
Park hall, Chicago.
| Kruse said he was glad to see so
many members Of the /. w W. pers-
! ent and he wanted them TO know
idhey were welcome. He commented
on the presence of government Off
| cers and said they were not welcome.
| He also read from clippins describing
| the revolution in Russia
The witness testified that Rev lr-
| win St John Tucker delivered a
| fiery anti-war address and remarked
! that he expected to be arrested before
the meeting adjourned, He referred
to the huge profits of the United
| States Steel corporation and the Du
| Pont Powder company and said the
! latter had purchased S50,0000 900
worth of Liberty Bonds which the
working men would have to pay for
/ in the end
! Miss Coletta Hogan identified sew
eral anti-war letters and pamphlets
sent out by Adolph Germer, national
secretary of the socialist party, Il de-
! fendant. which were introduced in
evidence by the government.
| DR.. +. f. Darlington. a Chicago
dentist, testified to attending a social
| ist meeting held in August. 1917, al
La private residence. on the West side
where anti-war speeches were made
! by kruse, Laura Hughes of Canada
and others.
/ The witness said Kruse referred to
/ the Chicago federal building as "the
temple of injustice and hall of inqui-
stion." He accused President Wilson
of having used the pacifist's platform
without giving them credit before
this country entered the war,
| Edna Peters. until a month ago a
| reporter on the Milwaukee Leader OF
which Victor l.. Berger, a defendant
is editor. testified she received a guam
tity of anti-war literature from So
cialist headquarters In Chicago No
| vember, 1917. which she and friends
J distributed in Milwaukee.