New-York tribune., 1919-10-31
Says if Editor Refuses
Challenge From ''Poiiti-
cian,'' Perhaps He Will
Take on ''Plain Citizen''
Dunphy Sidestcps Issue
Declines to Deny Schneider
Said He Called on Smith
at Publishers Request


the Hearst newspapers of taking photo
graphs he used in articles in "The
Globe three years ago concerning en-
poyes of the farms and markets council
and then printing them in Hearst's
Evening Journal recently in an en-
deavor to show that Governor Smith
was responsible for what happened
during the Whitman administration,
yesterday issued public challenge to
William Randolph Hearst to meet him
in debate. He offers to answer any
question his opponent may ask, and
pledges himself in advance not to go
INTO Mr.. Hearst's past.
Mr.. McCann offers to prove that the
Hearst newspapers are deliberately
taking testimony taken in open court
and that the Hearst campaign against
the Governor is a frame up
McCann's Challenge
Recalling that Mr.. Hearst gave as
his reason for not nesting the Gov
ernor that neither of them was can
dIdate and that he (Hearst) was not
accepting challenges to debate from
politicians, Mr.. Mccain said:
"Refusing to meet L politician or
public officeholder in debate. perhaps
he will consent to meet plain news
paper man who, as an enrolled Republ-
lican. in the service Of Republican
newspaper. IS defending Il Democratic
governor.
II have never been in politics and
am not a member OF any political or
ganzation. AS Il plain citizen, chal-
lcnge William Randolph Hearst to meet
me at any time or place to be named by
him in a one-sided debate. in which
shall be confined solely to the. issues
involved in his present fight on the
governor, allowing him the fullest
measure of freedom with respect to
my past and present, private and pub
Nc, on any or all issues he may see ut
to raise.
"As to his own past. my hands will
be tied and | agree in advance to touch
upon no phase of his personal affairs
other than those specifically covered
by the lies invented and published
against the governor in the Evening
Journal"
Nothing will be done until after
Election Day. it was learned yester-
day. toward bringing the Citizens Fair
Play Committee into being, as was
suggested in the resolutions adopted at
Carnegie Hall Wednesday night. This
committee. to consist Of 900 citizens.
Is charged with the duty of framing
"a sound public opinion directed
against the iusidious and disiutcgrat
ing influence of Hcarst's Journals and
to protect public servants and citizens
generally from his Irresponsible meth
DDS of misrepres esentation and slander.'
Schneider Denies 1t
County Clerk William +. Schneider.
who was named by Governor Smith
rs having urged him to appoint to the
Supreme Court James A. Doncgan,
chairman OF Mr. Hearsts personal po-
litical organization, the independence
League. yesterday denied that he did
so at the request of Mr.. Hearst
I'm his speech at Carnegie Hall the
Governor said that if Nh. Schneider
should deny that Mr.. Hearst had asked
him to make this request he would
name the man to whom Schneider is
alleged 80 have made the statement
that II was ut Hearst's instance that
ne asked for Douegans 5 appointment.
"Thc Governor said Mr.. Schneider.
'probably refers to former Congress
man Edward J Dunphy | erphatically
deny saying to Mr.. Dunpl1y that MIR.
Hearst wanted me to see the Governor
in reference to an appointment. | did
discuss the political situation with him
and said that | believed Mr.. Murphy
erred in recommending Robert l.. Luce
twice has been refused AN Endorsement
of the Bar Association and twice had
been defeated at the polls when run
ming for judicial Office
il was after the Governors refusal
to appoint Hearsts political lcuten-
rat that the Hearst newspapers be
kun their attacks on him.
Dunphy Avoids Answering
ssr Dunphy said he recalled the con.
vcrsation he had with the County
Clerk He said he asked Schneider
what was behind the split between
Hearst and the Governor.
1t could easily have been avoided,
was Schneiders answer, according tc
the former Congressman.
Mr.. Dunphy then said that If the
Governor could not have appointed
Donegau to succeed Supreme Cour,
Justice Clarence }. Shearn, who was
about 10 resign, ne could have sale
that he would make a later appointment
and that tina. would be satisfactory.
Did Mir. Schneider tell you that Mr.
Hearst asked hin too see the Governo,
about the appointment" Mr.. DunphA
was asked
He hesi,ated about answering, anc
hnally SAID that he had an importan
business engagement before him anC
wanted time 20 refresh his memory.
Many Commend Governor
he Governor, who has received
thousands of congratulatorv message.
rom men and women in all Aalks O
"fe also has been commended for hi
counter attack on Hearst by severa
Democratic organizations in this CIV
One Of them. the New York Democrat
Club. adopted resolutions. reading j,
part as follows:
Resolved, That the New York Youn,
Democratic Club warmly commend
the manly and courageous stand take,
by Governor Alfred +. Smith with 70
spect to the das,ardly campaign @
caIumny and misrepresentation in
dulged in by William Randolph Hears
in IL most reprehcnslbe attempt 10 in
'imds'e public officials and to contro
their actions for his own selfish pur
poses.
We hail the Governor as our leade
and, together with all fair-minded me
and women in this state. regardless
Of party, pledge him our earnest sup
port 10 put an end TO Hcarst's unscru
pulous and Geceitful practices, whicl
are national disgrace and menac
10 our democracy