New-York tribune., 1919-06-04
1oint Legislative Committee
Declares Its Purpose to
Make Thorough Scrutiny
of Radical Propaganda
Police Aid Is Assured
No Inquiry Into Explosion
at Mott Home Unless Re-
quested by the Governor

Senator Clayton r. Lusk, of Cort-
land. chairman of the joint legislative
committee to investigate seditious ac-
,ivities of the state of New York. after
a conference yesterday with Attorney
General Newton and various members
Of his committee, announced that the
committee would begin its work in this
city next week-probably on Tuesday.
-S1Facts already before the committee
show a considerable number of men
and women are actively engaged in ad-
yotating radical doctrines in New York
state" said Senator Lusk. "This
propaganda is being carried on by
means of a large number of newspa-
uers and other publications, written
in different languages, and by means
Of constant public meetings. 1t is no
longer carried on spasmodically by a
few half demented anarchists, but is
being handled Systematically by
shrewd, capable men and women who
seem to be cooperating their efforts,
to-day followers and sympathizers in
New York City alone are numbered by
hundreds of thousands.
Aims of Radicals Sought
at seems to me that the committee
should, at the first hearings, find out,
and the public generally should know,
just what these radicals are advocat-
ing and just what they purpose to
accomplish. If the movement is simply
political, if this radical effort is simply
tor the purpose of lawfully bringing
about greater measure Of justice to
the working class, then the work of
this committee is at an end, except
ing in so far as the committee can
cooperate with them in enacting legis-
lation to bring about these results.
"lf, on the other hand, this movement
Is sedtious, if it aims at the unlawful,
violent and forcible overthrow of our
institutions, if its purpose is violently
to destroy the constitution and legal
protection to personal liberties and to
bring about the forcible seizure and
confscation of property, then the COM
mittee will make such further investi-
CATION and take such action, both pre-
yentive and constructive, as seems
necessary for protection Of our insti-
tutions and the persons and property
Of the citizens of the state.
Committee Is Bi-Partisan
The commmittee consists of Senator'S
Lusk, ]. Henry Walters, Mullan, Boylan
and Carroll, Speaker Sweet of the As
sembly and Assemblymen jerks, Mar
in, Burr and McElligott
The committee has no authority OF
power to investigate the bombing of
Judge Motifs house unless the Governor
should ask it to-" said Attorney Gen
eral Newton. "In such case it would
be asking the Attorney General or the
committee to supersede the local pros
ecuting authorities. Governor Whit
man did that in the Baf case, but it is
unusual. Governor Smith has done it
in two minor matters, but, unless the
Governor directs it, the Attorney Cen
era! has no power to Investigate a
strictly local penal offence"
The action by the Reds is ample
justification for the organization of the
Lusk committee and complete warrant
Tor the committee to do what it can to
rous Bolshevism and sedition in the
CITY and State OF New York" said SEN
ator Walters.
II the latter situation is found to
exist we shall ask for, and have al
ready been assured, the full coopera-
ton Of the state and city police. We
shall ask for and expect the full CO.
operation Of thF different departments
Of the state, county and city govern
ments and Of the Federal investiga-
ton bureaus. The committee is BIZ
PARTISAN. It's work will be carried on
with an absolutely open mind and
Without regard to politics or PERSONAL
i'ies and solely with the view of ascer-
tanning the facts and affording sucn
protection to the people Of the state
80 seems necessary in view of such
, disclosures a. tho inyeot iyatiop hr;rr,