New Britain herald., 1927-06-16
ROTARIANS angry
At red SPEAKER
Later Discover He Is ]. R.
O'Brien in Disguise

Fooled by man who fooled them
In much the same manner once
before. members of the New Brit
ain Rotary club today are enjoying
a hearty laugh at their own ex-
pense.
The cause Of the merriment was
J. Robert O'Brien OF Milford. Conn,
who formerly represented the Ma
tonal Security League. Under the
auspices of the league he came here
once before and by giving the Ro-
tarians both sides of bolshevik
argument had a lot of fun.
Today was the first day for the
new president 0. F. Parker. 10
preside. John c. Loomis. president
OF the Commercial Trust Co., was
selected to provide the stunt.
Mr.. Parker announced that for
various reasons the stunt would not
take place. but that the club would
be addressed by Professor Martin
j. Merritt Of the bureau of eco
nomics Of New York university.
The professor" began by sterling
and amazing his hearers: he con-
tinued by antagonizing them and
wound up by actually infuriating
them to the point where at least
two men said they were on the
point OF offering physical violence.
He started by saying missionaries
have brought confusion to the
minds of the people in China. He
continued by lauding the soviet
government OF Russia. He denounc-
ed capital. He tore constitution OF
the United States to shreds and ac-
cused the government of being a
failure. He referred to Colonel
Iindbergh and said hts activity in
favor Of aviation was propaganda
for more weapons Of war and his
ambitions to continue to kill. He
accused Great Britain Of exploiting
smaller nations for her own ma
tsrial gain.
He recommended that committee
OF prominent socialists from Russia
ton OF the United States. His talk
was brimful OF Red" propaganda.
1t ran over with anarchy. He advo-
Gated the overthrow Of the govern
ment and true democracy such
~ is found in Russia.
Then he offered to answer ques-
tons. During his talk his audience
began, to get restless. Then the Ro-
tarians began to lose their temper.
Some very pointed side remarks were
made. Several prominent manufac-
turers and businessmen showed eX-
pressions on their faces which indi-
Gated that they thought somebody
ought to take the speaker out and
shoot him. Others looked as though
they were about ready to start tar
and feather game of their own.
One we'll known insurance man
openly challenged a statement made
by the speaker. Another man who
supplies building materials demand
ed in tone Of Indignation, What's
the matter with the constitution
He interrupted with an exclamation
o. disgust when told 1t should be re-
written by a committee of Commun-
ists.
The speaker sat down. There was
an atmosphere OF hostility In the air.
The situation was tense.
Several Men Went Out
Then President Parker broke the
Ice" As the speaker removed dis
xuise, Mr.. Parker introduced him as
J. Robert O'Brien. who would give
'aThe other side Of the question"
II was just ready to brain you"
called Rotarian. Eyes. and l was
taking aim with this chair" said
man at the speakers table.
Mr.. O'Brien proceeded as his real
self to show the fallacy of the argu-
he had propounded before. He
showed how the American working
man u better of than any other
working class in the world. "A
Chinese worNngman lives on three
bowls Of rice and a fish In a day.
The American worker isn't that kind
Of . FISH," he said.
He said the old socialistic soap
boz orator has passed out OF Ameri-
can life. The old I. W. W.. has
disappeared, he explain
I'd. He said the red" agitator is
not getting any encouragement IN
America. Even the American Fed
eration OF Labor has denounced those
who were boring from within"
He said in America there is no
nch thing as distinction between
capital and labor. The American
Telephone and Telegraph company.
which he said was the largest OF its
kind In existence, had 100000 stock
holders and no individual owned
more than two per cent. This has
been accomplished without the aid
II the red flag" he said.
Labor is rising to position OF
wealth and influence today. The
American working class in the CLOTH
nx business would be known as cap
taltsts in Russia. because the work.
rs own the business" He showed
now American workers own almost
30 banks in the country.
Speaking Of the constitution ne
,aid Central America has made great
progress under the protectorate OF
he United States constitution.
He said he was with the marines
or 10 years. He saw service IN
china, Haiti. Nicaragua and "'ner
places, and he knows the protector
tie OF America ha- been the saiN"-
ion Of many situations. :"
Mr.. O'Brien was corgra'ul'li'i,U NOS
,nly on his talk, but upon las "ol'''" u
q 90 completely fool the aGGir 1"G u