New-York tribune., 1919-05-01
Red Finances
TOBeTraced i'm
State Inquiry
All Leaders of Radicals
Will Be Subpoenaed by
Legislative Committee,
the Chairman Announces

Leaders of Socialist, I. w. W., anar-
chist, Bolshevik and other radical
groups who maintain headquarters in
New York from which to send through
out the country propaganda demand
ing a social revolution" arc to be
subpoenaed before the Joint Legis-
lative Committee appointed to investi-
gate Bolshevism and are to be asked
to explain where they obtain their
financial backing.
This was decided upon at meeting
of the legislative committee held yes
terday at the Murray Hill Hotel. SEN
ator Clayton B. Lusk, Of Cortlandt,
the chairman, announced that because
of the report by the New York Post
office officials Of the finding Of in
fernal machines in the mails, the in
vestigation would De expedited. He
said the committee already has be-
fore it Conformation of an alarming
nature" which warranted the belief
that the committees work in New
York would produce startling dis
closures.
Senator Lusk said the information
upon which the committee is begin
ming its activity, was obtained be-
fore the discovery of the internal ma
chimes.
"But," he declared, eve expect to
go into this whole business Of violence
which is being advocated by prominent
agitators. We are sure that society
Will be made safer because of the
facts VIC expect to unearth."
The committees first session was
devoted to organizing. Assemblyman
Martin Lewis, of Clinton, was made
vice chairman; Assemblyman William
w. Pellet, Of New York, was chosen
secretary, and Attorney General
Charles D. Newton was named chief
counsel. Senator Lusk was authorized
TO employ staff of stenographers,
clerks, Investigators and other legal
aids. Other members of the committee
are Senator 3. J. Carroll, John ].
Boylan, John b. Mullen and j. Henry
Walters. and Assemblymep 1haddeus
c. Sweet, Speaker of the Assembly,
+. A. jerks, Peter p. McElligott and
Frederick L. Burr
Books, pamphlets. circular letters
and other propaganda issued by radi-
Gals are being gathered BY invcsti-
gators for the use Of the committee.
< long list of names of prominent aci-
tators also is in the hands Of Senator
Lusk. It was said after the meeting
yesterday that the first public session
at which "Bolshevism in New York will
be put on trial and asked to explain
ITSELF" probably will be held in two
weeks
Among the subjects to be investi-
gated are:
|. W. W. groups which send out prop
st. Marks Place.
Anarchist followers of Emma Gold
man and Alexander Berkman.
Socialist Sunday schools, which, as
disclosed recently in The Tribune.
teach children from 5 to l5 years Of
age to sing songs in praise of the red
flag and require them to repeat "lcs-
so1's" demanding the overthrow Of
the present system Of government"
Various East Side Bolshevik groups.
Left wing" Socialists many Of
whom have headquarters at the Rand
School, East Fifteenth Street.
The Brownsville group of Socialists.
The most active leader Of each group
ss to be put on the stand. Some OF the
| questions to be asked are:
Where do you get the money to
carry ON your propaganda z"
DO you receive financial support
from the BolsheviM in Russia ?''
DO you advocate violence to bring
about socia! reYorms?"
What are the chief grievances
| ment?"
Senator Lusk said the committee had
no intention Of attacking the SociAlist
party or Socialists who considered
themselves merely mcmScrs Of party
opposed TO the Democrats or Republi.
cans. The Investigation Is aimed at
forms by violence l,nder tho protection
OF & well rEcn9nixed Marty he aaid