The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-30
'UNPLEDGED" CLAIM OF HARDING IS A TRAGEDY, SAYS COX
Can Expect No One to Take Him Seriously, In Face of His Public Record, Nomi-
 nee Declares
By Associated Press


 Akron, O.. October 2s.-Senator here tonight by Governor Cox in an address replying in vigorous terms to the senator's speech here last night, in which the republican nominee declared he was "unpledged. unowned and un- bossed.n
 If 1t were not tragedy. this state- ment would be joke" declared Gov ernor Cox to large audience at a factory auditorium
 ssurely Senator Harding can
 expect no one to take him serious-
 ly-when, in the fnce of his pub-
 lie record, everyone knows that
 throughout the years of his public
 life, he has been one in bondage
 to the big business interests and to
 the corporate interests of the
 country. His entire record has
 been one of turning his hack on
 every proposal for progress"
 Here and in other addresses at Youngstown and Kent, Ohio Governor Cox attacked Senator Harding as a .'reactionary,' evasive on the League of ! Nations and other issues, and the gov ernor reiterated that he himself was the champion of progress.
 Senator Harding's speech here last night was the special theme of the governors fire tonight in probably tfe most bitter personal arraignment of his adversary yet made in the CT am- paign.
 Senator Harding was chosen at Chi cago, Governor Cox asserted, by a nominating consipracy of the senato- rial oligarchy," in Chicago hotel, and the governor asked the folio wing plain questions" of the republican candidate:
 ASKS PLAIN QUESTIONS
 What questions were asked you and what pledges were made before tfe oligarchy decided to give you the nom. ination?
 place in the cabinet, as is generally stated?
 Does your platform authorize you to make a pledge to George Viereck and to declare for separate ceace With Germany to secure, as he says, $ e00,000 votes of the proGerman party in America?
 "Did your platform give you the right to promise to George Reynolds. the Chicago banker who, on the basis Of conference with you, assures his T ments to the federal reserve act so that none but bankers may sit upon the federal reserve board and thus again restore the control of the money in- terests of America to small group of bankers?
 What promises did you make to Charles E. Warren, vice chairman Of the republican national committee, whicl; warrants him in saying in his letter so- letting funds from directors of corpora- tions that they should measure their contributions on the basis of what re- publican success is worth to you and your cooperate interests and send in your pledges accordingly?
 What is your pledge to speculators ii Mexico who seek to have the blood Of American boys coined into dollars and Nho openly boast of your support?
 What is your understanding with Elihu Root which caused him to rush to your defense at time when NIT. Tatt had pointed out the probability of vacan- cies in the supreme court? Is it be- cause you have given a personal pledge or because of his knowledge of your at titude against Brandeis a progressive? What promises have you made to Harry V. Daugherty. corporation lobby ist, and what promise was he author ized to make in your behalf in order to secure your nomination? q
 onOOLD IA E. DEExlN Jun NOO4V That the senator never championed sone big constructive measure in all his public life covering a decade" was as serted by Governor Cox, who said also that if the league opponents had desired 'an honest and straight-out champion they would have chosen Senator Johnson of California and not Senator Harding " .sThe senatorial oligarchy did not want candidate progressive on any subject, said Governor Cox, asserting that the senator held "the worlds record of hav- ing lodged 1,l63 roll calls.'' Governor Cox citing in detail his opponents votes on many legislative measures, continued: ''No man in America can match the record of Senator Harding in his opposi- ton to progress. and that is the basis Of his opposition to the League of Ma tions. 1 favor going in with such help ful and reassuring reservations as are necessary to secure ratification. Senator Harding has definitely said. turn my back on the whole thing In this atti- tuse the senator is consistent with his public record.'
 Governor Cox reiterated that his op- ponent was trying to wiggle and won- ble into the presidency" He should have been asked whether he stood with Taft or Johnson upon the league, and he would have replied, I do.'
 That his election would be "a positive
  the league and Senator Hardings elec- tion a verdict of '.confusion and uncer- tainty," was a declaration stressed in : Governor Cox's speeches today. five i'll number All brought large outpourinss of cheering audiences, and preceding to- nights meeting there was red torch light parade, despite cold. drizzly wealth CT. Snow, sleet and rain made the das' the most indictment of the governor entire campaign
 Prosperity also was preached by Gov ernor Cox, who said that America en- trance into the league would bring an unprecedented era of prosperity, while membership, the candidate declared. would bring ''the worst financial depres- sion within two generations.
 To his audiences in industrial centers to- day the governor said it would mean '.smokeless chimneys" and reduced wages with longer hours.
 LABOR LONG EXPLOITED
 Labor has iong been exploited. he said. referring to the league labor pro- visions. but 1t won't be expected any Eorger.'
 In flaying Senator Harding. Governor Cox said that all of the various motley groups supporting the senator had made pilgrmages to the Marion front porch. and had been given promises of special favoFs in many instances at the ex- pense of general welfare
 He Senator Harding) has been in this state always the leader of reactonary forces" said the governor.
 We have met before in like alignment,