Evening star., 1936-02-19
COUGHL|N SILENT
ON NEW ATTACKS
0'Connor Apologies, but
BoIand Bitterly Scores
Priest on Floor.

Father Coughlin, at the Shrine Of
the Little Flower in Royal Oak, Mich,
was unruffied outwardly this morning
at being branded "silver brick
artist" on the House Of Representa-
tives floor and compared with Judas,
who betrayed the Master to whom the
radio priest has devoted his life.
Despite Representative O'Connor's
withdrawal of his threat to kick the
priest from the Capitol to the White
House. gallery spectators yesterday
were treated to scathing denunciations
and heated defense of the imitation.
preaching Father Coughlin, who
aroused O'Connor by saying Sunday
he was q tool of Wall Street and an
assassin" as well as burglar.
When O'Connor apologized for dis
respect to the cloth Representative
Boland Of Pennsylvania, Democratic
whip. who. like O'Connor, is q Catho-
lie. compared the cleric to "cruel,
selfish and prejudicial dictator"
Calls Him Inconsistent.
HAS not this silver-brick artist the
understanding to see the inconsistency
of his position as he stands before the
altar with one hand on the gospel
and the other engaged In counting
the speculative silver he has ac-
quired?" Boland shouted.
God keep America safe and bless
the members Of our Legislature who
have the moral courage to resist the
demands of such unprincipled,A q self
seeking cemagogues, who would be-
tray America as Judas betrayed the
Redeemer for 80 pieces Of silver"
But a defense came from Repre-
sentative Sweeney, Democrat, Of Ohio.
another Catholic, and an ardent ad-
vocate of all inflationary legislation
introduced in the House, especially
the Frazier-Lemke farm mortgage re-
finance bill, about which Father
Coughlin was speaking when he made
his references to OConnor.
Attacks O'Connor.
"Is it politics for a man Of Christ
to rise on Sunday in pulpit or by
microphone and beg to change an
economic system that allows children
to 60 to garbage cans for food?"
Sweeney asked the members OF the
House. After charging O'Connor with
attempting to inf1ame intolerance in
the Nation by his reference to priest
in politics." Sweeney turned to Rev.
James S. Montgomery. House chap
lain, and Representative Eaton, Re-
publican, of New Jersey, former min
lister. to say:
Thank God for men like him, who
have the courage to stand up on Sum-
day Ind speak to unseeing millions
80, 40 or SO million people-about this
situation"
In Detroit one of Father Coughlin's
secretaries said he would have no
comment on O'Connor's decision not
to retaliate physically for the priests
Sunday speech. The priest still plans
to come here February 26 on busi-
ness.
Bishop Scores O'Connor.
Father Coughlin's superior, Right
Rev. Michael j. Gallagher. Bishop of
Detroit, a constant defender of the
activities Of the pastor of the Shrine
of the Little Flower, predicted the
petty pickering" would blow over be-
fore February rs as he scolded OCon-
nor for replying to the priest with
little boy tactics"
In his apology. delivered calmly to q
House and gallery which looked for
fireworks and got thrills and laughter
before the debate was over. O'Connor
declared:
Il was not justified in referring to
the clerical garb. I apologize for that.
I said something about kicking. What
one feels like doing and what one
should do or say is quite another
thing.
THE greatest offense that could be
committed in my church and prob
ably in everybody's church is to show
disrespect for a man of the cloth. It
was an undignified remark"
Referring to his being termed q
burglar, he said:
Il may have been guilty of many
crimes, but have never climbed over
transom. Just because you are q
member of Congress and of the same
church, do you have to take that?"