The daily worker., 1927-05-26
Professional Patriots

This is the fourth instalment of professional
Patriots" edited by Mormon Hapgood from ma
teriaJ assembled by Sidney Ho1Oard, co-autkor
of "Tke Labor Spy" and John HearIey
More than 25 organizations Including the No
tional Security League, the National CiUic Fed
GRAFTON and American Defense Society a0W be
discussed IN these articles
1t is noteworthy that the list of the largest con
trbutors includes many men whose businesses profit
directly from the sale of war supplies.
The congressional committee report on that point
said
IF the curtain were only pulled back, in addition to
the interests heretofore enumerated the hands Of Rookie
feer, of Vanderbilt, of Morgan of Remington, OF Du-
Pont, and of Guggenheim would be seen, suggesting
steel, oil, money bags Russian bonds rifles powder,
and ralroad"-(H. of R. 65th Congress, Sd session,
Report No. 1173-Investgation of National Security
League, p. g.
The Security League at that time was spending about
100000 year. although in 1918, in view of the con-
gressonal campaign and the entrance of the League
into politics. its expenditures reached the Of $780,
66L56 Its budget has since been greatly reduced For
three years ending in 1919 the Carnegie Corporation
gave the League $4,000 year.
The National Civic Federation numbers among its
heaviest supporters Mr. Finley J. Shepard and his wife,
the former Helen Gould, and V. Evert Macy of the
Central Union Trust Company. The late August Bel
mont, who made his fortune in street railways, was
also large contributor One trade union member of
the feuSfdllOH execution VINO uoeS uOC
wish to be quoted publicly that Judge Elbert H.
Gary of the United States Steel Corporation has been
lone of the Federaons financial angels" The posi-
ton Of trade unonist board with anti-union
ployers backing the work is of course somewhat deli
cate.
The American Defense Society stated in 1924 that it
had 1080 contributors scattered in A states and the
District Of Columbia It's chairman Mr.. Elon H.
Hooker Of the Hooker Electro Chemical Company,
manufacturers of chemicals used in warfare is direc-
tor Of many corporations that doubtless assist directly
indirectly Mr.. Hooker solicited funds for the
ciety the stationery of his company Mr. Franklin
Remington, chairman of the Finance Committee is a
director of the Great Western Chemical Corporation
The American Constitutional Association in West
Virginia. and the Better America Federation at Los
Angeles both employers organizations whose pa
triotsm is frankly identified with their private in
terests Naturally they supported by those who
profit from their activities In the case of the Con-
stitutiona Association interesting piece of testi
mony to who gave and how much, came out in a
suit brought by professional solicitor named Kirk,
who thought he had not received all the commissions
due him. The testimony showed that Judge Gary whose
company operates the largest single coal business in
West Virginia, $4,000 in 1921 with this letter:
United States Steel Corporation
Chairmans Office
New York, May 11th 1921
pear Sir:
oeg acknowledge receipt of your letter of May End
ins ant. 1t placed before Finance Committee
yesterday when it decided to make contribution
of $4,000 toward the work of the American Constitu-
tonal Society," with the understanding that the money
is not to be used for any political purpose, but with
the sole object of assisting and maintaining American
institutions
l enclosing herewith check for $4,000 together
with voucher which you are requested to have signed
and returned to this office.
Hon. Edwin NJ. Keatley, Secy,
American Constitutional Assn,
House of Delegates
Charleston, w. Va.
Very truly yours,