The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-24
AUDIENCE AGAPE
 AT FIRST HOT SHOT
Turns Fire On Politicians Bringing Before Bluff
 ing Labor Leaders
CLASS PREJUDICE
 HOTLY ASSAILED
Candidate Recalls Oklahoma And Herrin Cases Involy-
 ing Klan
tBy AssOeIated Press.l

AUGUSTA, Me, Aug. 2t -- Charles c. Dawes, republican candidate for Vice President, opened his speaking campaign today in Augusta with g declaration of opposition to the Ku Klux Klan and a de- nunciation of attempts by labor leaders to influence patriotic" law-abiding union men into a political cornhina- ton with socialists 7
 MT. Dawes has announced he woald "slo0t straight from the shoulder poii- ticians or no pollticians,u and thr at- dience which gathered at re ubiic- an state rally at Island Park rsan here, was prepared for some siats. s It was taken back somewhat l.oWz ever, when the vice presidential loni- nee mentioned the Kan by name " his first sentence, discussed that question at some length and then turIg$d hls fife on @politicians cringing befcte the whip of 1 lev blhffing labor lfaasrs3
 ..s 10
 ls to 3lssgs rSref,i }l 5 ' hyaq six xe ais f,e&# slii SlSa 8s sllouted wa te aa 8f fife sl .ils and in yYfIiialnsof cnufI z, N ' jliaeis, ae)ur Constitution stands for teiiEiods tolerance he continued. sIe i0iecF relieious and racial issues into politics iis contrary to the welfare of all Che people and to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of the United States.
 The audience stood astonished for a moment, for Maine is counted by Klan leaders as one of the states where tlie organization is strongest; then there was scattering applause. but many of those present merely looked at one aHl- other, plainly wondering as to the ef- feet of the statement just made on next months harometric state election. There was somewhat general applause, though, when Mir. Dawes concluded the Klan portion of his address by saying: Acrimony Is Denied
 q have told you why l am opposed your hearts and conscience and think 1t over calmly. However, it may be with the mind, there is no acEimony in conscience"
 With the Klan discussion ended, MT. Dawes launched into the address he had fprepared before leaving Evanston for Maine and the applause became general. but there were numerous looks of astonishment as he entered upon his discussion of the. trade unionism.
 "The benefits of trade unions, honA estly administered are recognized not on1y by me, but good citizens gener- ally, whether in or out of trade union isYli'" he asserted. T has elevated, protected and dignified labor and in so doing it has been an element lno the progress of our nation.
 But why do so many politicians of both parties continue to regard the great. intelligent, honest and conserva- five body of trades unionism as If 1t were a puppet, in the hands of q few socialist labor leaders and political demagosues,n he inquired and then re- garding his own question denied that "a few bluhipg labor leaders could un- dertake to epley politics in the name ot patriotic men whose conviction on law enforcement and the Constitution do not control, and who resent the idea that any one should believe that they would let their honest opinions on ele- mental things be used as political asset"
 ExplhiAs Klsn Opposition
 General Dawes said in part;
 q firsE desire to speak, as Mir. Davis did yesterday, relative to the ku hlux Klan. I agree with him that it has no proper part in this or any other cam paign. But whether proper or nos, unfortunately in this campaign, mobii- Ization of radicalism under La Toilette, the largest section of which, the social ists, fly the red flag. is attacking the Constitution of the United States. l cannot agree, therefore, with his infer ence that it's discussion diverts attention from those fssues the people must set tie in November by their vote. 1t only emphasizes the greatest issue.
 "The questions of Mir. Pattengal, which appeared in the press this morn ing, are the familiar trick questions of
 (C0ntlnueS on page three)