The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-11
EFFORTS
CANCEL DEBT
DUE UNCLE SAM
Congressman Wells Goody.
'koontz Calls Attention to
Propaganda
By oharles Brooks smilll

WASHINGTON. D. c., April ii
is there an organized propa-
ganda started in the United States
to bring about the cancellation Of
the S11 200, 100000 mot counting
in interest) due Uncle Sam from
his European allies in the World
War?
Are there signs in the political
skies that 1t is to figure III the
campaign this year for the cleo
-tfons ot q Congress favorable to
cancellation?
TO these questions Representa-
.tiRass&alls Good ylfoentz in public
speech and Ia personal interviews,
/ answers q decidedly emphatic
"yes."
He Is the flrst member Of Con-
gress to make the charge in a
most formal and profoundly
serious way In that body, offering
the evidence upon which he bases
1t. Hardly a day since that
speech-Wednesday, March 90
but he has repeated his charges,
discussed his proof, expounded his
theory, and explained his clues, all
combining to make an argument
of a most forceful and convincing
character. This has been done at
! the request OF members OF Con-
gress who have sought from. him
all the information he has thus far
on the subject.
The West virginian offers
speeches and interviews to sub
stantiate his charge OF propaganda
for the cancellation OF the huge
debt, delivered by Justice Clarke
Of the Supreme Court, Otto H.
Kahn and others. like the latter,
engaged in international finance.
Articles In newspapers and maga-
zines from the same banking in
terests have been dug up and
offered by Representative Goody-
koontz TO prove his propaganda
charge.
AS to cancellation figuring as an
issue the congressional elections OF
this year, the West Virginian has
quoted from a Wall Street brokers'
publicatton-"We believe the ques.
ton OF cancellation now more wide.
ly agitated may influence the next
general election"
Discussing this phase Of the sub.
tect today, Representative Goody.
koontz said that the American
people have seen, during the World
War, the use Of money to effect
public sentiment. Some Of 1t Is a
matter OF printed record, though
MUCH Of It was suppressed. Enough
is known to prove that It was Law.
ish expenditure.
How much do you imagine
might be spent to influence an
election of a Congress favorable to
a cancellation Of this huge debt?
How far do you think that our Flu.
ropean creditors could consider
they could afford to go IN a spend.
ing enterprise of this kind? A bill
lion dollars would be a bargain price
II they could put It over and rid
themselves Of this enormous finan.
cial obligation"
The West Virginia member feels
very deeply on this matter, and ex.
pressed the feeling that he had
sounded a timely warning to III peo.
pie Of the United States. He con.
fidently expects that warning to do
good In SO far as 1t arouses them
to take an interest In this question
of debt cancellation and make
known their views on It. In the
event that they do that, heis OF. the
opinion that this .'pfopoga1da" will
be sQuelched in Its budding time,
and that II there Is any serious plan
to inject the question into this
years congressional campaign.
which. he has openly charged in
Congress that there Is, the inter
ests behind 1t may decide that the
situation Ia not an inviting one, and
decide to lay II aside.