Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-01-23
Portions Of Party Con-
stitution Brought Out
to Afford Ground for
Barring Assemblymen.
Secretary of State Says
Radicals Show No Hest
tation Taking Oath of
Office; Prior Pledged.

Albany, \. V, Jan. 22.-Socialist
Hedges, platforms, constitutions and
bylaws were entered in the record of
the assembly judiciary committee, today
to show that the house excluded ineli-
glbles when it refused seats to five reds
elected from New York City districts,
on the ground that they could not be
loyal.
There were tense moments at the
trial when it seemed that defendants
and cousel would walk OUT on the as
scmbly judiciary committee.
The first came when committee coun-
sci proposed to call on witnesses to
produce books, documents and papers
to mark them for Identification and to
leave them with the committee for ex-
animation with the idea that they later
might be introduced in evidence.
Morris Hillqnit, chief defense counsel.
objected. Louis NJ. Martin. committee
chairman. denied the objection. Assem-
blymen Evans and Block, committee
members. dissented from the ruling.
Then Mr.. Hillquit. turning to the wit
ness on the stand, Mrs. Anna Stern. exc
cutlve socialist secretary of the Bronx
local said:
you are not bound to part with
possession Of your book unless it is of
fered in evidence"
CIdSH UVer BOOK.
The threatened walk out was avecfed
when Arthur +. Sutherland. speaking for
the committees counsel, yielded to the
suggestion of Mr.. Hillquit that the docu-
ments be marked for Identification but
returned to their owners.
Another crisis came when Ezra J..
kauffmann. a special policeman of
Rochester, produced d book in Hebrew.
which, he said. he had obtained from
"a Samuel Miller" Of that city. De-
fcnse counsel objected when John b.
Stanchfield. committee counsel, attempt
ed to question the witness concerning a
conversation he had with Miller
Travestry Says HiIiquit.
If this testimony and testimony Of
any similar kind is permitted we have
not a fair trial: we have a travestry on
Justice Mr. Hillquit said II should
be very reluctant TO make myself party
to a farce Of this kind. As far as | am
concerned. and ! think ! speak for my
associates. wherever testimony of this
kind is called We shall take absolutely
no part in the proceedings. 1t is as #
we were absent
The chair oyerruled the objection. the
socialist counsel did not withdraw. an.
kauffmann proceeded to testify that
Miller. in selling him the book. had
said he was literary agent for the Jewish
branch of the old socialist party"
julius Gerber, secretary Of the New
York local Of the socialist party. was
the first witness called today at the
trial before the assembly judiciary com
mittee of the five suspended socialist
assemblymen charged with disloyalty
Platform Put in Evidence.
As soon as Gerber had been sworn.
Mr.. Stanchfield obtained from him a
copy of the constitutional platform of
the socialist party in 1917 which was
introduced in evidence without objection
by the defense.
Mr.. Stanchfield also introduced in cvi-
dence the state constitution of the So
cialist party. from which he read ex-
cerpts. including one providing that can
didates for public office should, on re
ceiving nomination leave their resisna-
tions with the party to insure their ful
filling party commands.
bylaws of the New York county So
cialist organization We're introduced.
Can't Vote Military Credit.
Mr.. Stanchfield read extracts from the
national constitution of the party to
Continued on Page Twol