New-York tribune., 1919-06-18
Aldermen Are
Unanimous on
Irish Freedom
Socialists Join With Repub-
licans and Democrats in
Memorializing Congress
in Favor of Recognition
Lee Boosts the Soviets
But Alderman Kenneally De-
clares Ireland Does Not
Want Aid of Bolsheviki


In a memorial introduced by Alder
man Thomas M. Farley at yesterdays
meeting of the Board of Aldermen,
urging the adoption by Congress of
resolution providing for recognition of
the Irish republic, the Socialist mem
bers found something they could sup
either Democrats or Republicans pro-
pose.
The memorial was adopted unani-
mously after it had been seconded by
Algernon Lee, head Of the Rand School
and leader Of the Socialist group. AL
derman Lee, however, suggested that
the board extend its sympathy also to
the soviet government Of Russia.
"The development Of the Sim Fein
movement in Ireland and the develop
ment of the spirit of internationalism
among the Irish people," said Alder
| 1IldlI ACCt law 1IldO0 10 k1dQ W OU-
serve what is going on in long-op-
pressed Ireland. But the first to recog-
nize the Irish Parliament was the
soviet republic Of Russia.
II wish to second the expressions in
this resolution, which wish could be
applied to Russia and every other op-
pressed country in Europe"
Objects to Bolshevik Aid
Several aldermen jumped to their
feet, but President Moran recognized
William P. Kenneally, Democrat, who
said:
"Irishmen all the world over have
shown that they are perfectly able to
take care Of themselves. They want no
help from the Bolsheviki, either in New
York or Russia"
There was loud laughter on all sides
of the chamber and from the school
children who crowded the visitors
gallery, but none laughed louder than
Alderman Lee.
Then up rose Alderman William F.
Quinn, Republican. Said he: "I can't
sit still and let Alderman Lee say
there is any spirit of internationalism
in Ireland No good 1rishman ever
throws bombs and no good Irishman
ever was an internationalist. Irish
men may throw hot air sometimes,
but bombs, never"
Alderman Abraham Beckerman,
Socialist, agreed with Alderman Quinn
that Irishmen were not bomb throw
ers. "But," he said, "there is a man
named Mooney, who never threw
bomb, locked up on a charge Of bomb
throwing. Shouldn't we go on record
as against the imprisonment of
Mooney for bomb throwing when he
didn't throw a bomb ?"
Mooney Not an Irishman
Mooney? MONEY!" echoed Alder
man Kenneally. "Why, MONEYS q
Jew"
When the laughter died down the
aldermen voted unanimously for the
Farley memorial This read as fol-
lows:
"The Board Of Aldermen of the
City of New York, voicing the opin-
ion Of the majority of it's citizens,
believe that the principle of self-de-
termination so often and so forcibly
proclaimed in the noble declaration
of President Wilson as to the objects
of the United States in the war just
ended should be applied to Ireland
and that the time has come to recog-
nize the republic proclaimed by the
elected representatives.
"The Board of Aldermen urge the
adoption by the Congress Of the
nf
viding for such recognition of the
republic Of Ireland.
"The Board Of Aldermen, on be-
half Of the City of New York, ex-
tends its sympathy and good wishes
in the determination of the Irish
people to achieve their national in
dependence"
Lee Starts on Soviets
While the aldermen were apparently
in mood to consider international
affairs Aldermen Lee presented res
olution that expressed disapproval Of
the raid made on the Offices of "the
diplomatic representatives of the Rus
sian Soviet Republic"
He tried to make a speech on the
subject, but was cut off on objection
VI HdlIN a uOZen aldermen, and ProSl- |
dent Moran informed Mr.. Lee that he
had exceeded his five-minute period.
A rollcall resulted in the tabling of the
resolution, 40 to 6, the six being the
members of the Socialist group.
Approval of an expenditure Of $780,
600 for coal for Bellevue and allied
hospitals was withheld by vote of
41 to 8, and the proposition is to be
rcconsidered next week. George White
was present, representing the hospital
board Alderman Augustus Ferrand.
Republican, wanted to know why the
hospitals had figured on paying only
$3.50 ton for their coal when it was
impossible to buy it for that sum.
How 1t Figures Out
"Our figures were $3.50 a ton," cx-
planned Mr. White "Thc Board of
Estimate cut the price to $3.50 ton.
We need about 5000 tons this next
year, and tho amount we are down for
in the budget will buy about $500
tons"
what does the Board or Estimate
hope to gain by this sort of thinc9v