Evening star., 1936-08-13
COUGHL|N PERMITS
TOWNSEND TOTALK
AT END OF SESSION
Pension Leader Invited to
Speak After Convention
Finishes Business.
OPEN LETTER is SENT
TO MEETING DELEGATES
"A Conner Smith Is Expected by
Priest to Appear During
Cleveland Assembly.
Bv the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
CLEVELAND, August l3.- Rev.
Charles E. Coughlin, arriving today
for the first convention of his National
Union for Social Justice, settled a
disagreement over whether the dele
gates should hear DR.. Francis E.
Townsend and explained he intended
no specific reference to the lndi-
viduals in letter he addressed to the
delegates.
He announced Townsend, old-age
pension plan founder, had been in
vited to address the delegates Satur-
day afternoon after conclusion OF
official convention business. Walter
D. Davis, convention marshal, has
opposed Townsends appearing at the
meeting. The convention will open
tomorrow.
Referring to his open letter to dele
gates, which appeared in his weekly
publication, Social Justice, Father
Coughlin said at a press conference
he meant it to be "metaphorical."
He wrote the delegates: If l out
of II apostles were a Judas 1scarlot.
it is an even bet that l out OF 1,2OO
delegates to the national convention
will be a Conner Smith"
Phrase Used MetaphOrically.
Smith, Oklahoma City lawyer and
member of the Townsend pension or
eanization's Board of Directors, at
tackled Coughlin and upheld President
Roosevelt at the Townsend convention
here a month ago. DR.. Townsend i'm
nediately sought Smiths removal as
q director.
II used the phrase a Conner
Smith simply as a metaphorical ex-
preston" Father Coughlin said. My
reference in the same letter to the
stock yards of Chicago was in the
same sense"
The priest said the fact that Presi-
dent Roosevelt would arrive here to-
morrow as his convention opened is
Just news to me. 1t will make no
difference to the convention that the
President is visiting here. Our people
have come from many States to put
the National Union on record. AS far
as I know the President comes to
visit Cleveland and to discuss such
subjects as farm relief and condi-
tions of Ohio"
Father Coughlin, discussing the pro-
cedure of the convention, said: After
it opens, it is up to the delegates.
have been more or less dictator of
the unions policies, since it was my
idea, but, as I said year ago, this
convention will shape the future
policy of it. I wrote the constitution
which will be submitted, but after it
is introduced it is their baby. They
may amend or revise it as they wish"
No Coalition Planned.
He was insistent that no coalition
of the union with the Townsend or
share the wealth" movements was
contemplated.
There is absolutely no chance for
an alliance with other groups" he
declared. IF the union does not
retain its own identity. I shall step
out. 1t must remain just as it is"
One action of the convention will
be selection of national president,
he said. IT assume that I will be re-
elected, but I shan't try to persuade
the delegates in any way" he said.
Father Coughlin said that "oratory
will not dominate this convention"
and that addresses by outsiders would
be only after business of the conven-
ton is concluded Saturday.
II am not even going to speak, ex-
cept for the part may take in de-
bate" he said.
Representative William Lemke and
Thomas C. O'Brien, candidates of the
Union party for President and Vice
President, respectively, will share the
time Sunday afternoon with Father
Coughlin before a mass meeting of
delegates. Neither will address the
convention, he said.
Membership Held 10000
Estimating the total membership of
his organization at 100000, Father
Coughlin said 100000 were active
working members, and declared it was
his belief "85 per cent of our men,
bership could be delivered to a third
party candidate" He reiterated,
however, his union would not indorse
any party as party.
Father Coughlin said he understood
(See COUGHLIN, A-2)