New-York tribune., 1919-03-27

freely of the wine pogroms in Petrograd, Of
the two awful weeks during which the SOL
diers looted winecellars, and made the city
a hideous nightmare. But he blamed 1t on
the counter revoutionsts! He said they
told the soldiers where the wine was, so that
they would get drunk and discredit the rev.
olution!
He blandly maintained that the food dis
tribution system, which provides that ex-
bourgeoisie shall get four ounces Of bread
and a couple of dried fish--if there is any
left-is based the "usefulness to So
ciety" Of the consumer.
Mr.. Reed was careful to explain to the
committee that he, personally, did not advo-
cate the of force in the revolution be
is urging. "As matter of fact" he went
on, unfortunately all these profound social
changes have been accompanied by force"
Still he did not urge it, he said, and hoped
that some other way would be found.
Have you in the course Of your trips
over the country advocated the nationaliza-
ton Of industry and land in this country,
as Russia has done ?" asked Senator VOL
cott.
NO." grinned Reed. 81 have said that
l thought 1t was very good thing"
II am always advocating revolution in
America" he said little later. "a revolu-
tion does not mean a revolution by force"
But apparently he forgot this shortly. ~
am always talking to the working class,
urging them to enforce their rights" he
remarked.
The Ready Phrase Maker
He had good phrases, often, in place Of
answers.
"The people should pass an amendment
to the Constitution abolishing the Constitu-
tion," he said, on the question Of how he
would bring about his revolution. He mado
no suggestion to the next step.
"lf the land gets too crowded to afford
work for everybody, shorten the hours Of
labor" was another suggestion. II this
would also shorten the food supply, he
showed no worry over that.
ut may be that Americans are not edu-
Gated enough so that they will work when
they are given an honorable chance" was
his answer to the objection that some spur
is needed to keep men at work, and that
socialism does not provide this spur He
did not say where he had found people who
were thus educated, and there is no evidence
that it is in Russia.
81 do not think any structure ought to
stand in the way Of the will of the vast
majority Of people," and II do not think
capitalist can be efficient at anything"
were two more of his phrases.
Excitement Without Danger
The sporting attitude showed through all
his talk. Senator Wocott pointed out that
If he did not believe in force he should
make this clear in his speeches. "Oh, if
am saying anything which is contrary to
law | am willing to answer for it," said
Reed magnanimousy.
Suppose you lived in one of these viii
lagos" suggested Major Humes, "and you
had couple of sons-say, they were
twins"
ooh, thank you, sir" the witness broke
in.
And as to raising money. 81 wanted to
open bureau of information and I went
around to some people in New York from
whom | thought l might get some money,
and think | may get some yet. You know
there are some wealthy women in New York
who have nothing to do with their money
except something like that"
Good fun-good sport Money from rich
women, speeches urging force that he
doesn't believe in, the distinction of wide
disapproval, stir and excitement and revo-
luton.
But Reed admitted that he did not believe
the American people wanted revolution, and
that he had no idea how a revolution was
to be attained
Good sport and little risk-for Reed!