New-York tribune., 1919-12-27
Anarchistic Books
In Public Library,
Lusk Agent Testifes
Radical Literature Being
Circulated Widely and
Openly in State, Says
Chairman of Committee

George ]. Starr, Of White Plains, a
special agent Of the Lusk Legislative
Committee, testified yesterday before
the committee at secret session at
City Hall regarding anarchistic litera-
ture circulated for the spreading of
Red" propaganda.
According to the committees report
Of its proceedings, Mr. Starr declared
anarchistic publications are available
at the Public Library at Forty-second
Street and Fifth Avenue.
"The Union of Russian Workers, ,"
Mr.. Starr said. has furnished several
dom, to the Public Library, but not a
complete file. They also have at the
library pamphlet by Ellis A. Reclus,
noted French geographer and anar-
chlst, who was convicted and sentenced
by the French government for radical
activities, along with Prince Kuro-
patkin."
Mr.. Starr produced translation
of an article published in Bread and
Freedom" last May in which Emil
Coffin. French anarchist, was praised
Premier Clemenceau. For what is
Coffin sitting in jail ~ asked this arti-
Gle. Because he dared to bring to
life the red word preached by him"
Devil the First Anarchist
Mr.. Starr further testified that
Pierre Proudhon. a Frenchman, was
the first real anarchist, according to
the present-day conception of anar-
chists.
The anarchists Themselves" he
continued, SAY the devil was the first
anarchist, and the Encyclopedia Brit
annica puts the first anarchist several
hundred years before the coming of
Christ Proudhon was the first to ad-
vocate the use Of force and violence to
create the anarchistic form of govern
ment. Other anarchist leaders were
men like Prince Kropotkin, whose
works also were published by the
Union of Russian Workers. They
after it comes.
"Bakunin was a follower of Proud
hon; in fact, one of his most ardent
followers. Bakunin's books were
translated by Benjamin R. Tucker, the
American anarchist. of Boston, and
might say at this time that Bakunin' s
book, God and the State is available
at the Public Library. l have seen a
denial in the press that such a book
is there, but am sure of it,
Boy Got "Red" Book in Library
"Woud such a book be harmful to
the ordinary reader?" MIR. Starr was
asked
He replied that boy who had been
questioned by the committee and who
had been ordered deported had made
the statement that he got his anar-
chst education at the New York Pub
lie Library. and had mentioned par
ticularly Bakunin's God and the
State"
The meeting was conducted by Sen
ator Clayton R. Lusk, chairman; Samuel
A. Berger, Deputy Attorney General
and Archibald E. Stevenson, special
counsel.
Alter the committee adjourned until
this morning, Senator Lusk issued this
statement:
"The evidence disclosed the fact that
in not only the large, but also in the
small centers of population upstate
there are found men and women en-
gagged in the radical revolutionary
movement. Many of these men anc
women, especially in centers Of small
population, apparently do not belong
to any definite organizations.
"The evidence also disclosed the fact
that literature Of an extremely radica
nature is being very generally and very
openly circulated throughout the en-
tire state, principally by organizations
located in New York CITY"