The New York herald., 1920-01-10
Sensational Evidence Promised
When the Trial Is Be-
gun.
SAY CRITICISM WILL
TURN TO APPROVAL.
Albany Capitol a Storm Cen
tire, Even Prohibition
Being Forgotten.
'EFFECT ON CAREERS
Collapse of Case, 1t Is Admitted,
Would Be Disastrous to Mr..
Sweet Politically.
ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD.

ALBANY, n. Y, Friday.-The Assem-
bly, has in its possession evidence OF a
most sensational character concerning at
least two of the five Socialist members
who have been unseated pending trial on
charges of dsloyalty, it was learned to-
day.
Officials who are preparing the formal
charges to be made against the Social
lists when they are arraigned next week
before the Assembly Judiciary Committee
have made known that two of the Social
lists now under fire have been linked with
the activities of the Boshevists.
At the moment they were taking their
seats in the lawmaking body Of the
State the two, who had taken the oatn
10 uphold the Constitution, were cooper
atins with the revolutionary movement
which aimed to overthrow the State, 1t is
said.
TIE evidence is being guarded with the
greatest care. Whether it is in the form
or letters or telegrams is not made
known. The States legal advisers who
are formulating the charges have been
sented TO the Assembly committee.
Prompted to Act Quickly.
But this much is made known: The
evidence is of such a nature that it con-
vinced the leaders they should unseat
the Socialists without a moments DELAY
and make public the charges in formal
proceedings later. 1t is for that reason
the leaders are not disturbed by the storm
Ia ss,... fhae lx.e. 49, gf-t--
say the State will get another shock next
week. 1t appears to be almost a FORE
gone conclusion that two of the Socialists
will be expelled. The others may retain
their seats.
The five suspended Socialists are Charles
Solomon. of Brooklyn; Louis Waldman
and August Claesseus Manhattan, and
Samuel Orr and Samuel A. De Witt, the
Bronx.
The Socialist storm was raging around
Capitol Hill today with increasing fury
when the States legal department began
the preparation of formal charges. All
other legislative subjects have been for
gotten for the time. Even prohibition has
been sent to u side track.
Criticism. commentator and protests
are pouring in upon the legislators in vol
ume but apparently without effect The
Republican majority I'm the Senate and
Assembly is backing Speaker Sweet to the
limit The Democrats are wavering
slightly as they realize they are risking
much politically, with little hope of gain
ing anything.
Call Best Legal Talent.
The Republican leaders and the Attor-
rey General are determined to make good
their charges. AS tifey expressed it to-
day, Either the Socialists or Speaker
Sweet must CO." To fail now would be
fatal. they declare. For that reason the
lest legal talent of the State has been
summoned for the preparation of the
charges and evidence. The case is being
copper riveted before il goes to the Ju-
dietary Committee, which VIII sit as judge
and jury.
The programme now is to put through
the trial with as little delay as possible.
The leaders have agreed that the Social.
lists will have the fullest and freest op-
portunity to present their defence, but the
trial will not be turned into an occasion
for spreading socialstic propaganda.
Tho proceeding will be novel in the his
tory of the Assembly. Rarely has that
body questioned the qualification OF any
members elected by the people. Never has
IL challenged the Ainericanism and pa
tf'otism Of a member. II is the first State
representative body In this country "a
challenge the right of a man TO sit be.
cause of socialism.
What will be the rolitical effect on
Speaker Sweet? Every leader and
legislator In Albany is asking the ques-
tion. VIII II add TO his political pres
tige and assure his nomination as Gov
ornor? The political consequences arc
bound to be far reaching.
Two other men in office dealt sum-
narily with radlcaiism and won ma
tonal fame. They are Ole Hansen OF
seattle. and Governor Coolidge, OF
massachusetts, Attention is directed to
tte fact, however. that IN both in
etances those officials were dealing
With dangerous situations. No one
here believes that the five Socialists
we're threatening danger to the state
government. They we're almost power
less.
Little attention was paid today TO
the cry of the Socialists i'm New York
that they were thrown out because the
Iusk Committee was fearful OF the
charges they were prepared TO present
1t Is recalled that hardly day passed
I'm the session last year that the Social
i.ts did not present sensational resolu
tlons They we're so common no one
noticed them. II was within tho power
Of the Speaker and the majority Il
silence them at any moment.