New-York tribune., 1919-06-12
Chairman Lusk of State Com
mittee Tells Mayors of
Menace as First Session
Is Planned for To-day
Socialists To Be Heard
Commissioners Howe Nav
Be Called to Tell What
He Knows of Bolshevism


ton, counsel for the legislative COM
mittee to investigate Bolshevism, af-
ter conference yesterday at the City
Hall with Senators Clayton R. Lusk.
chairman, and J. Henry Walters, said
that the committee would hold its
first session at the City Hall this
morning at II o'clock
1t is understood that the committee
has "invited" regular party socialists
to testify before the committee, and
that various "lcft-wing" socialists also
have been asked to attend.
There was a rumor last night that
Frederick c. Howe, Commissioner Of
immigration, will be called to tell
what he knows about Bolshevism.
Commissioner Howe presided at a
Madison Square Garden meeting in the
interest of recognizing the soviet
Russian government.
100000 Reds in City
Chairman Lusk, speaking at the
state Conference of Mayors in Sche-
nectady, N. Y, last night, said that
nearly half million persons in New
York City alone advocate revolution
ary actions based on violence.
Only few years ago revolution was
merely the dream of few "crack-
potts." said Mr.. Lusk, and its spread
was due to the skilful propaganda of
the pink tea socialists and the parlor
Bolshevists. Regarding those who
have been proudly styling themselves
Bolsheviki, Mr.. Lusk ventured the
opinion that since zone Big Union"
had been brought into prominence as
the slogan of the revolutionary strike
in Winnipeg, Canat-a. the "ntellect
uals" soon would rap Bolshevism for
90. B. u"
Speaking of the results of the legis-
lative inquiry into seditious and Tcvo-
lutionary activities, Senator Lusk said :
To-day in the city Of New YORK this
propaganda is being systematically
handled by shrewd, experienced mon
and women, who seem to be co0rdinat-
ing their efforts and who apparently
have no lack of funds with which to
operate. In New York over fifty pub
licatons arc regularly circulated adj
vocating this radical doctrine. A large
number of public meetings are held
each week in which these doctrines are
openly advocated. When the speakers
at these meetings suggest accomplish
ing these results by force and violence
the suggestion is received with tire
mendous applause. 1t is estimated
that as many as one hundred meetings
Of this kind have been held in one
week.
"Speakers are being sent throughout
the state. They arc circulating their
literature among the workingmen
throughout the entire state.
Not Political Question
"The time has come to make it plain
that this is not political question, it
is not a question upon which men and
women with knowledge of the facts can
honestly differ. The extravagant ex-
pressions heretofore used in reference
to political issues, the fact that we
have had a Socialist party in this
country for a number Of years, to-
gethcr with the adroit and skilful man
ner in which the propaganda Of radical
ism is being handled by parlor social
lists, and the giving to the public of
conclusions rather than facts-these
are the reasons why the American
people have not heretofore been
aroused by these traitors in our midst"
Senator Lusk then suggested that
police officers of unquestioned patriot
ism should be instructed to see that
the holding of meetings and the dis
tribution of seditious literature are
stopped.
Each class of labor is struggling to
obtain raise in wages. If one class
succeeds over that Of another it is an
injustice. If all succeed alike then
the net result is a raise in wages with
a spending or greater raise in the
cost of living.
"lt seems to me that the problem
must be attacked from the other end.
Something constructive must be done
to do away with profiteering and to do
away with capitals making excessive
and unreasonable profits on the neces-
sities and luxuries of life before the
real permanent remedy for this in
dustrial unrest will be reached"