The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-21
ASKED
TO DRIVE REDS
OFF US. BOARD
Watson Says Trade Commits
sion Is HoneycOmbed
With BOlshevism.
PACKING INQUIRY CITED
Victor MuMOck i'm ScOrnful
Answer Welcomes Inyes-
tigation of Work.
EXAMPLES ARE SHOWN
LppiSlatOr Refers by Name to
EXAMPLES ARE SHOWN
Legislator Refers by Name to
Government Employees and
Tells of Their Activities.
Special Despatch to THE Sun.

DpeC7dI DeSputCH 10 lhh cuF'
WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.--Charging the
Offices and branches of the Federal
Trade Commission are honeycombed
with radical Socialists, anarchists and
Bolshevih and that these elements
ere especially strong among the inves-
tigators who conducted the commits
sion's investigation of the meat pack
ing industry. Senator Watson Undo
to-day made an attack on the COM
mission.
He prefaced it by introducing a re-
solution for an investigation of the
commission along these lines. Mr..
Watson assured the Senate that he
had knowledge that would sustain all
the startling charges he made. He
named a number OF the commissions
employees. described their radical ac-
tivities and declared that II there were
less talk about extirpating Bolshevism
and more attention to driving its ad-
vocates out of Government positions
in which they are entrenched and
thriving, it would be more effective.
More Disclosures Later.
At a later time. the Senator said. he
would discuss the presence of great
numbers of Socialists and radicals In
the Government employ generally; for
the present. however. he would confine
himself to the Federal Trade Commits
sion. His resolution was sent to the
Committee on Contingent Expenses OF
the Senate. It directs the Committee
on Interstate Commerce to investigate
the charges set forth in the preamble to
the resolution.
At the Trade Commission Offices this
somewhat resentful statement was made
tonight by Victor Murdock, acting chair
man:
The commission knows that both the
be decidedly in the public interest II
Senator Watson's resolution charging the
commission with Bolshevism could be
Joined with Senator Sherman's resolu-
ton charging the commission with con-
spiracy and treason and that both reso-
lutions could be made the subject of an
immediate and complete examination by
the Senate Interstate Commerce Com
mittee.
THE commission known that both the
public and the commission would benefit
by such thorough determination OF the
questions raised"
Lively Interest KindIed.
But 1t was with the Watson charges
and not with the moribund Sherman
resolution that the Federal Trade Com
mission has actually been called on to
deal. and a lively interest was kindled
by Senator Watson's bold statements
For months there has been a growing
suspicion In Washington that throughout
the various departments of the Govern
ment there have been developing numer-
Gus little colonies of Red sympathizers
If not actual members of the extreme in
ternationRlist groups. Every now and
then some episode such as the Bullitt ex-
hibition has directed attention to the
carelessness Of the Administration in
guarding against the spread of the Boil
shevist miasma in it's own household.
Senator Watson's resolution, upon
which he predicated his attack, reads:
that n number OF the employees OF Ehe
Federal Trade Commission have oeen
and now are engaged in socialists propa,-
ganda and IN furthH ring the Organization
and growth OF Sociallstic organizations.
and
Whereas, IL Bolshevism, with all that
II implies, Is to be met and overcome
In our country, II must be done by first
ousting all its adherents and advocates
from public office therefore, be 1t
"Resolved, by the Senate of the United
States that the Cornmittee on Interstate
Commerce of the Senate is directed and
authorized by subcommittee or other
wise to inquire into and report to the
Senate at the earliest practicable date
upon the truthtulncss OF these charges
that said committee may conduct such
inquiry by clbcommittee or otheryls,
and shall be empowered TO hold sessions
during the recess OF the Senate, and for
this purpose tho committee or any sub
committee thereof is empowered to send
for persons and pagers to employ what
ever assistance, clerical or legal, may be
necessary to aid in conducting the in.
vestigation. to administer oaths. summon
and compel attendance of witnesses
conduct hearings ard have reports OF
the same printed for use and any ex.
pense in connection with such inqIry
shall be paid from the contingent fund
of the Senate upon vouchers approved by
the chairman OF tho committee
Many Radicals Found.
Senator Watson began his remarks by
saying:
For some weeks / have been investi.
eating radicalism in the departments OF
the Government. and have been as.
founded at the number of Its adherent,
IN offics and the very solid manner In
which they seem TO be intrenched in oul
governmental Affairs"
Later he said he would speak OF th'
number OF Socialists engaged in tn,
different departments and the method o
their activities' but at present he woulC
deal only with those employed by tn,
Federal Trade Commission" What h,
had TO say in support OF his resolution
was IN no wise a defence OF the packeri
Cg-