The New York herald., 1920-01-29
Schenectady Mayor Tells of
Demand for Advance Resig-
nation and of His Refusal.
HEAR MARTENS STORY
Members of Judiciary Commit
tee Admit Soviet "Envoy's"
LuSk Inquiry Testimony.
HILLQUlT PUT ON RECORD
Statement Is Read Declaring That All
Sections of His Party Are Await.
ing ''Day to Strike"
HEAR MARTENS STORY
HILLOUIT PUT ON RECORD
Special Despatch to the Herosdy

iSpe7GI Despatch to the Herald.
ALBANY, \. Y, Wednesday.-Mayor
George r. Lunn. OF Schenectady. today
testified at the trial of the five Socialist
Assemblymen that he and the entire local
branch Of which he was member were
expelled from his party rganization be-
cause he refused to permit the dues pay
ing members of the party to dictate
absolutely all his official acts.
The Mayors testimony was offered BY
the State as proof that the Socialist party
holds an iron hand over all its representa-
tives in office and further, that the oath
OF allegiance TO the party transceuds the
oath TO the State. II was because the
Mayor refused when elected a second time
TO place his resignation in the hands Of the
Socialists, thereby surrendering all power
that he was forced out OF the party
This is the States strongest card so far
laid on the judiciary Committee table.
The Mayors words uphold the charge
made by Speaker Sweet that the five
Socialist Assemblymen took their oath
of office with their lips while their secret
promise of obedience was made to the
masters of the invisible government"
Next in Importance in the days proceed
ings was a letter offered in evidence writ
ten by Morris Hillqut, chief Of coun-
sci for the Assemblymen and leader OF
the Socialist party in New York. stating
that the right and left wings and- the
radical Communists were one in spirit
and purpose waiting for the day to
strike" when they would all be found In
thA MI TH~ ur.fs~ .a..rr H.,
a family quarrel. he said.
The Judiciary Committee has employed
a publicity agent to publish daily reports
of the trial. AS a result a conflict has
broken out in the committee. Several
members have protested against having a
press agent put out the views Of the
jury before the evidence has been pre-
sented.
Following this break, IL is reported that
Republicans in the Assembly are talking
about revolving against Speaker Sweets
leadership on the Socialist trial Several
attempts along this line have been made
and have come to nothing. 1t is known
that the Republicans who do not like the
way the trial is going are trying TO per-
suade Theodore Roosevelt to lead a fight
against the Speaker but he has declined
so far TO take UP the battle. II is not
improbable. although the scheme has not
yet been perfected. that some protest will
Martens Testimony Admitted.
The States attorneys succeeded in pre-
senting as evidence the testimony given
by Ludwig G. 4. X. Martens, Ambassador
of the Russian Soviet government 10 this
countryH in the Lusk Committee in
vestigations in New York. Reading of the
testimony took most Of the afternoon
Martens set forth the purposes Of the
Soviet to substitute it's rule for democracy
4 h.a hea on in
and other documents that the Socialist
party as n whole and the five Assembly
men as loyal members of their party in
dorsed warmly Martens mission to this
country and offered fullest cooperation
and support 20 his propa ganda.
Following his sensational testimony tell
ing for the first time under the oath the
story Of his break with his party. May
Lunn issued a statement criticising the
Assembly's action in suspending the as
semblymen pending their trial as a viola
ton ''of the fundame~ Il principle of con-
stitutional government While no longc
irdorsing the ''un un-American tactics OF
the Socialists" Mayor Lunn said that
faith in our Institutions must not BE-
threatened by allowing even legislator
to do violence to the principles Of our in
sttutions."
The Socialist party asserted the right
to dictate and control your distribution
field asked the Mayor. lie answered
Yes"
And that was the rock upon wti,h ,n,
split?"
Yes"
Patronage Control Aimed \t.
"And 20 enable them TO thoroughly con-
troll your distribution Of patronage they
desired that you should sign one of their
designations in order that IL YOU refused
file it and deprive you OF your officer"
II would say that 1 think their idea
was that II they made a platform pledge
that was not carried out they would do
that I do not think they had I'm mind
so much the patronage. / will give then
credit for that.
And that IL you didenot carry out the
platform pledge In the way they insisted
IL should be carried out then they wanted
the right TO file this resignation IN order
that they could use that as basis for
expeling you from the party?'
YES"
Mayor Iunn. who formerly was a Repre-
sentative in Congress. said he was elected
Mayor OF schenectady in 1911 on the So
cialist ticket.
shortly before the election did some So
lciaiists come TO you with any document
they desired you to sign?' Mr.. Stanch-
field asked.
ION the night before election, at eleven
o'clock, they presented a blank resigna
ton which aroused my ire, but | was
either TO sign IL or arouse a squabble the
next day." Mr.. Lunn replied. IL consid-
cred IL illegal, but nevertheless did sign
Il in i9il."
do you recollect the names Of the men
that brought this blank resignation to
you?"
"They we're Charles Noonan and Russell
Hunt"
"Do you rccollect the general phrase
ology Of it,"
IL do not, except that the import was
1Continuea ON Rage Three, Col. oaeJ