Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-10-29
GOV. SPROUL SAYS
LABOR BESET BY
RED ELEMENT

North Adams, Mass, Oct 2S-The
labor unions of the country are be-
set by radicals who would destroy
them to clear the way TO class rev.
olution, said Governor William {.
Sproul Of Pennsylvania, tonight The
governor was speaking at d rally in
the interest of Governor Calvin
Coolidge's campaign for reelection
He praised Governor Coolidge's Steps
to uphold the sovereignty of the
state" in the strike of Boston police
man. which. he said lin its relation
to the future safety and well-being
of the people OF this republic, was
as important as the affair at Concord
and Lexington"
Labor" said Governor Sproul. las
represented by the patriotic Amer
lean Workmen, who. under sane and
progressive leadership, have attain
ed SO much for themselves and have
served the nation SO well, as engaged
ina battle to preserve its organiza-
tons from the radicals who would
destroy them because they are in
the way Of class revolution.
1T would suit these destruction
lists exactly if they could get hold
OF the forces Of public safety in this
country. The municipal governments.
then the state governments and f.
nally the national government. would
then be easy game. Cproar and dis
order are their opportunity.
A. few thousand good cut threats
could terrorize the nation if the
forces of protection were paralized.
The policemen in Boston were the
victims of the plan. They had no idea
Of being used to further scheme
of national destruction. The strike
there was carried out in innocence Of
any wrong doing, l firmly believe,
but am just as thoroughly convinc-
ed that it was conceived individually
and was to be part of general
scheme TO palsy the power of the
government to protect itself 1t is to
the eternal credit of Massachusetts
hat you met the issue as You did.
1T is really hard to comprehend how
completely the world depends upon
America now. The safety of this re.
public is the safeguard of civilization.
The other day in Pittsburg and again
In Harrisburg and in Phila alpha. as
he was visiting Pennsylvania. the Kin ,
OF the Belgians expressed himself to
me as anxious that America should not
he impaired now in her strength and
resources; for, said he, If anything
should happen to America the world
would collapse. You are the hope of
all Christendom.'
Il explained to King Albert that I
had no real fear that America would
not fulfil her trust. Ninety-five per cent.
Of our people are all right. But we
must be alert-we must not sit by and
let a conhagration get started here
which it may take years Of sacrifice
to overcome"
The Pennsylvania executive said his
support Of Governor Coolidge's admin.
istration was regardless Of party lines.
adding:
II stood by the Democratic Presidens
Of the United States In = national eme..
eency. and am standing by him now
in another one which seems as threat.
ening as the menace across the seas =
year ago. I have telegraphed him that
the government Of Philadelphia will CO.
operate with him in any plan that he
may have to meet the emergency grow
ing out Of the threatened coal strike,
which will bring distress and destruc.
tion and even death to innocent peop!.
throuehout the country. And I an,
standing by the two members of hi,
cabinet. both Pennsylvanians. too. who
are playing a big part in helping 70
solve the troubles Of the hour-Wn.
liam b. Wilson. who himself was a
Pennsylvania coal miner and a union
leader and who is now the secretary Of
labor. and A. Mitchell Palmer. the at.
torney general. who was my room mate
in