Arizona republican., 1918-12-20
SAYS LEAGUE GOT
 INFORMATION FROM GOSSIP AND PRESS
Lydecker Severely Cross
 Questioned On Methods
 In Political Campaign Reaves Makes Inquiry

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-1nvestiga- ton of the activities of the National Security league of New York in oppos- ing re- election of members of congress during fhe last csnnaigu began toesy before a special house committee headed by Representative Johnson Of Kentucky The entire day was taken up with the examination of Colonel Charles n,, Lydecker. president of the league, but many officials of the or ganizstion will be heard later.
 Colonel Lydecker told the committee the ayoWed purpose of the league last fall was to return 10 congress men with broad vision and foresight and who would be 100 per cent American in their beliefs"
 Not to mention any names" Colonel Lydecker said, T can safely say that l would have been sorely disappointed to have seen certain congressman re- turned to office. Our efforts were used against these men, some of whom seemed decidedly proG German, and many were defeated, in some instances by fusion. The action of congress as a whole, during the great crisis just passed, was magnificent, but unfortu- nately there were members whose loy- l alty could be questioned. It was those men the league opposed"
 Acid Test" Explained
 Pamphlets giving the eight 'acid tests by which the loyalty of con- gressmen should be judged were cir 1 culated throughout the country, 1 Colonel Lydecker said These tests, | he said, were the votes of members ! on preparedness measures which had l been before congress, and which the i league believed were for the welfare l of the country. Names of congressman 1 who voted against the measures were | included in the pamphlets.
 At no time during the campaign was | the league influenced by any partisan or political considerations Colonel l I.y6ecker stated. Tt was actuated solely by a desire to see the country end the war as speedily as possible 1 We may have made mistakes, but if We did they were made unintentionally. We campaigned for nobody and were entirely patriotic
 The acid tests were criticised by several members of the committee as unjust Many preparedness measures were not included which were just as important as the eight given, members stated, and in addition the league did not explain that many congressman had motives for voting as they did which would have cleared them of any suspicion of disloyalty if made l known.
 Colonel Lydecker was questioned as to the source and extent of his knowl- edge regarding such measures as the Il McLemore resolution, to forbid Ameri- cans to travel on the high seas, before the United States went to war He re- I'd Ne~+ ( Iii 1-r 1aIrr h I I been obtained from newspaper reports and discussions he had heard.
 Lydecker Is Confused
 Did you ,kuow," asked Represen- tative Reavis of Nebraska, that the president personally requested that the motion to table the McLemore resolution be defeated. so that con- gress would have an opportunity to express itself upon it?"
 What does that have to do with the question:" Colonel Lydecker asked
 Just this" said MT. Reavis. Con- gressmen who voted against tabline the resolutions were following the , presidents wishes, and were not nec- , essarily expressing their approval of it Take my own case, for example. Or
 the floor of the house I said I would
 vote against the bill. Yet I voted
 against tabling it because I thought
 congress as body should express its view of it. Whatmoral right did tho
 league have, therefore. to circulate
 these pamphlets which as much a: branded me as traitor?"
 we regret if any injustice wa! , done,' Colonel Lydecller answered "I ! would have been very difficult for us however, to draw technical distinction! of that nature"
 Colonel Lydecker stated that the ex cuses of the league from Septembe 7 l. 1917, to August 31, 1918, amounted
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