New-York tribune., 1920-01-17
Split
OnSuspension
OF Socialists
RESOLUTION Before State Bar
Association Disapproves
Action of City Body in
Condemning Assembly
Vote May Be Taken Today
Hughes Committee Prepares
in Conference for Fight
in Behalf of Ousted Men

Members or the New YORK State Bar
Association at their annual meeting
Yesterday voiced disapproval of the ac-
t;on of the Bar Association of the City
Of New York, which last Tuesday night
sdopted resolution condemning the
Assembly's suspension of the five So
ealists.
The city association. by a vote of TIA
to liz, provided for the appointment of
Charles E. Hughes as chairman of a
committee to go to the Socialists trial
at Albany next Tuesday "to safeguard
representative government"
Resolution Approves Custer
The two associations meet in the
same clubrooms at AZ West Forty
fourth Street. Most of the members of
the state association are also members
of the city association. Indications of
further division among the lawyers
on the question of suspending the So
cialists developed yesterday when John
Brooks Leavitt, at the state association
meeting, offered resolution express
ing sentiments opposed to those con-
tanned in the Hughes resolution.
Mr.. Leavitt's resolution sustained the
action of the Assembly and declared
that the Socialist Assemblymen, if the
charges against them were true, are
"a body of traitorous conspirators."
The resolution, however, was not put
10 vote because of the insistence of
some lawyers that not enough members
we're present. Henry w. Taft, the pres
ident, explained that Mr.. Hughes, who
desired to be present. was called to
Brooklyn on urgent business. The re-
suit was that the resolution was re-
ferred to the executive committee.
Frederick E. Wadhams, the secretary
explained that the executive committee
would consider the resolution probably
in time to report to the open session
this afternoon.
Before the resolution was referred
Harry A. Forster attacked the Hughes
resolution, as adopted by the City AS
sociation. He said he had gone to last
Tuesday nights meeting prepared te
speak in opposition to Mr.. Hughes; thai
he was told to present certain data
sustaining his position that the Assem-
bly, was right in suspending the Social
lists, but that he was given no oppor
tunity to express his views. Mr.. For
ster supported the Leavitt resolution
Text of the Resolution
The resolution as referred to the ex
ecutive committee reads:
"Whereas, The inquiry now being
made by the Assembly of the state
as to the qualifications of five per-
sons elected to it, has been the sub
ject of much MISREPRESENTATION
throughout the state to the effect
that it is an invasion of the right of
free speech; and,
"Whereas, The real issue in that
inquiry is whether or not said per-
sons, as members of an organization
which, though calling itself politi-
cal body, is, if the charges against it
are true, body of traitorous con-
spirztors to overthrow by violence
our republican form of government
and substitute in it's place a soviet
tyranny, are Themselves, by virtue of
that affiliation, to be considered eas
traitors to our government and there
fore personally unfit to sit in our
assembly.
Reserved that this association,
consisting of members of the legal
profession from all over the state,
hereby heartily approves the course
of the Assembly in making such an
inquiry and hopes that it will con-
tinue it to the end that if such five
persons are not guilty OF treason
able words and acts they should be
SO declared and admitted TO their
seats, and if guilty they should be
ad]udged disqualified from taking
part IN the making OF our laws"
Committee Plans Action
Mr. Hughes, Morgan J. O'Brien, Jo-
seph NJ. Proskauer, Louis Marshall and
Ogden L. Mills, the members of the
City Bar Associations committee, yes
their work at Albany. While they do
not intend to associate themselves with
Morris Hillouit as counsel for the So
ciai'sts, it was learned, they expect to
make thorough study of the doctrines $
cpor which the Socialists were elected.
Each of the five Socialists were asked
ny air. Hughes committee to furnish
copies of their letters of acceptapce
AZ socialist nominees, together with
eoeialist platforms and all other liter
sture pertaining to their election. The
nve attorneys thus expect to be able
70 combat charges before the Judiciary
committee that the Socialists are mem
ners Of party which seeks the over
sniow OF the government by force.
Mr.. Hughes declined to comment on
the reports from Albany that unless
the members of his committee appear
as counsel for the Socialists they will
not be heard. "Mr. Hughes's COM
mittee will not make any comment
aeeut anything or anybody" said an
oMciai ss,.ai Of the City Bar Association.
onence will be maintained until the
committee arrives in Albany"
Sweet and Newton Confer
Charles b. Newton, Attorney Cen
stais and Thaddeus G. Sweet, Speaker
y. tne Assembly, were in conference
oi Lhambers Street, over the sclec-
s'on Of counsel for the judiciary Com
eee. IL has been intimated that thc
committee is anxious to obtain the
,IYices OF prominent constitutional
.awysr to oppose Mr.. Hughes and his
Mr. Newton said last night that a
to-day. "''' 10 """'"NS''
Many Socialists who bolted the part,
sssause Of its anti-war platform arc
snohY the fifty or more witnesses te
y caied ~ the Judiciary Committee
~ vas said that John Spargo and
sa sananss Edward Russell, who split from
rw;. ms socialist group headed by Mr.. Hill.
, saIs, VIII hH called. The gerving oi
STrPonas will begin to-day.
l.. 4Hs mimcograph machines at Social.
~ ~ headquarters, Fast Fifteenth
a.lsst, yesterday we're kept busy turn,
.as cus attacks on Speaker Sweet anc
st4yoooy else who opposed them. One
No. l. q