New-York tribune., 1919-03-04
Security Body
Is Indicted by
Inquiry Board
League Accused of Violating
Corrupt Practices Act
bv ii Ouse Committee
Political Activity Is Seen
Organization Said to Have
Represented tho Interests
While Urging Patriotism

WASHINGTON, March 3.-Violation
Of the corrupt practices act by Off
cias Of the National Security League
was charged to-day in the report Of
special House committee appointed to
investigate activities Of the organiza-
ton in the last campaign.
Six Of the seven members of the
committee signed the report, which
was presented to the House by Chair
man Johnson. A similar charge was
made in n minority report by the sew
enth member, Representative Walsh,
OF Massachusetts,.
The committee stated that officials
of the league had failed to file item
lied statements of contributions and
expenditures with the clerk of the
House, as required by the corrupt prac-
tees act, from any political organiza-
tion which endeavored in two or more
states to influence the result of con-
gressional elections.
Violation Is Reported
i
the majority report said, "the Ma
tonal Security League has violated the
provisions Of that act, the penalty for
which is fine of not more than 81 900,
or Imprisonment not more than one
year, or both.
The league was organized ostensibly,
the report stated, to arouse the coun-
try to realization of its unprepared-
ness, but later it threw aside this
pretence' and entered the political
field to urge the election Of a Congress
which would support the "interests"
OF the country, branding nearly all
members of Congress as disloyal
The idea of forming the league, the
report said, was conceived by S. Stan
wood Mcnken, IAN attorney represent
ing sugar, steel and other large IN
terests.' while he was in London.
"Coincidcnt with the organization
Of the league the thought of financing
1T commenced the report continued
and of coupling it with names of per
sons in which the people would have
confidence Hon. Joseph H. Choate,
Of New York, was made honorary pres
ident, and upon his death Hon. Elihu
Root was selected to take his place.
Judge Alton B. Parker was selected
as honorary vice president
Sought Non-Partisan Aspect
These two gentlemen were selected
Tor several reasons. One was to give
the league the appearance of being non
partisan in politics, Mr.. Root being
d Republican and Judge Parker Dem
ccrat. No doubt aSother reason was
that the league desired the use of
their names for the purpose of CON
jurng up money to carry on Its CON
templatcd activities.'
The committee laid stress on the fact
that large contributions had been re-
celved by the organization from the
Carnegie interests. John D. Rockefcl-
Ter, j. Pierponc Morgan and others,
having large interests here and
abroad
The principal officers Of the league
were described by the committee as
lawyer with a private clientele,
professional lobbyist, ssal importer,
directly Interested in the price of
binder t"ine, and d young newspaper
man without job.
Upon entering the leagues Offices
IN IN New, York one would see only Mr..
West the lobbyist; Mr.. Orth, the sisal
importer, and Mr. Harvey, an everyday
newspaper man. said the report. But
u the curtains were only pulled back
the hand of Rockefeller of Vanderbilt,
OF Morgan, of Remington, of du Pont
and Of Guggenheimer would be seen,
sugges ting steel, OIL. money bags, Rus
san bonds, rifles. powder and rail-
roads"
The "acid test" chart distributed by
tne league during the last Congress
OF Congress voted on eight selected
measures was termed unfair, mislead-
ing and unjust by the committee, which
stated that 1t had been drawn I'D by
man utterly unqualified for such
work
ne eight measures which were used
IN me cnart as vital tests were in many
instances measures which reflected
party politics rather than national is
sues OF patriotic import" the commit
Tee stated. 'Six of the eight measures
antedated our entrance into the war,
IN some instances more than year,
nut lttle concern, II any, was given
10 the records of Congressman made
after the United States entered the
war
"As A matter of fact" says the re-
port. the league cared nothing for a
candidates political affiliation What
eenleHy concerned the league was how
'he candidates attitude would affect
certain interests that would be sub
]ects Of Legislation by Congress dur
ing the reconstruction period"