The Washington times., 1919-10-28
Mr.. Hearst Declines
To Meet Gov. Smith
In a Public Debate

IL NEW YORK, Oct. 2s-Wiliam Randolph Hearst has
refused to meet Governor Smith, of New York. in debate at
Carnegie Hall tomorrow night stating that the governor has
broken his preelecon pledges to the people Mr. Hearst
declares that he finds no satisfaction in the company of
crooked politicians His letter to the committee which
attempted to arrange debate follows:
OCTOBER 26, 1919
Mr. jefferson Demont Thompson, Chairman,
Hotel Waldorf Astoria, New York City.
My Dear SIR
am surprised that Boss Murphy did not send me the
invitation you have obigingly forwarded since it was
Tammany that hired Carnegie Hall for Wednesday night
before the hall was turned over to you
have no intention of meeting Governor Smith pub
>icly or privately, politically socially.
do not have to meet him, not running for
Office, and certainly do not want to meet him for the
pleasure of the association find satisfaction the
company of crooked politicians.
Neither have time inclination to debate with
public pnnderer or fahlese pule servant whom
my papers have exposed for the reason every lored
tries to divert attention from the real issue of his political
crookedness by making some sort of batherskite
onslaught upon me.
have no explanations to make for attacking the Milk
Trust and the Traction Trust and the politicians who have
surrendered to these rich and powerful plunderng
poratons and committed to twentcent and tencent
street car fares.
have no apologies to make for not supporting the
judicial section hands of the New York Central Railroad
any of Mr. Murphys dpicked appointments to the
bench.
line only apology 1 WOnId nave to make would be for
having supported Governor Smith, and that did because
of the perured pledge of that individual made publicly in
my papers August g. 1918.
had confidence in the progressive sentiments of
Candidate Smith, and in reply to his request for support
asked for public pledge the private of
of his type have weight with whatever
On August 2, 1918, Candidate Smith made the fol-
lowing formal statement which printed conspcuously
in large type newspapers for several days. and upon
which the editorials built which advocated the elec
tion of Mr. Smith for Governor Candidate Smith said
Government control of public utilities long advocated
and discussed possibility is accomplished fact
at is short step from temporary control to perma
nent Government operation of the important public utilities
of this country
cit is only question of time and very short time
when that will come.
I believe that experience has taught the wisdom of
Government ownership and operation of public utilities to
the end that these indispensable aids to the commerce. bust
ness health and comfort of the people may be owned and
permanently controlled by the Government
"The action just taken by the Federal Government will
have most stimulating influence the movement FOR
MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC UTILITIES IN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK"
To what a complete extent Governor Smith has repu-
dated this pledge and betrayed the confidence of the whole
people is fully known to every citizen of the State of New
York.
Governor Smith having proved himself utterly faithess
and unreliable it is not further to establish that
obvious fact
You need keep no tickets for any friend of mine at your
assembly for there friend of mine who would be COM
plimented to be found in such company
Distribute all your tickets to the Milk Trust and the
Traction Trust and the politicians they and the judges
they seeking to control
And in conclusion let say that if you gentlemen are
going to hire Carnegie Hall every time my papers expose
rascay politicians you would better take long term lease
on the property. Yours very truly,
WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST