Evening star., 1937-01-26
COMMUNISM HIT
IN TALKS BEFORE
LAYMEN'SLEAGUE
Maryland Attorney General
and Archbishop CurIey
Score "G0dIessness."
'LAUD RETREAT HOUSE
AS FORCE FOR GOOD
Declare Communism Is "0rganized
Attempt to Undermine American
Form of Government"

Attorney General Herbert r.
O'Conor Of Maryland joined last
night with Archbishop Michael j..
Curley of Baltimore in a call for
Strengthening of the spiritual life"
to combat communism and move
ments they termed "subversive" and
fostering a doctrine of "Godlessness." 4"
Declaring a fearful heresy" di-
rected against all religion Is spread
ing throughout the land, the arch
bishop told the Washington section
Of the League for Laymen's Retreats
that communism Is "an organized
attempt to undermine" the American
form of government and "take God
out OF the hearts Of the people"
VIII Speak at Rally.
Archbishop Curley tonight will de-
liver the keynote address when a
national crusade against commun-
ism" is launched by the Convert
League Of the Catholic Daughters Of
America. The archbishop and a
number Of other prominent Catholic
leaders will speak at league rally
at the Willard Hotel, beginning at
6:l5 pm.
In his talk last night. Attorney
General O'Conor said that "a deep
rooted religious spirit" constituted the
greatest bulwark Of good govern
ment. He cited increasing crime.
divorce and communism as some Of
the problems that challenge the
attention of thoughtful men"
ut is impossible" O'Copor said. "to
legislate morality into people. There
must be a willingness o7 the part Of
the people to obey the law, and deep
seated and deep-rooted religious spirit
Laud Retreat House.
Both speakers lauded Manresa- on
the-Severn, retreat house for laymen
Of the archdiocese of Baltimore di-
rected by Rev. Robert S. Lloyd, as zone
Of the greatest forces for spiritual
good"
O'Conor said men such as those as
sociated in the Manresa Retreat move
ment could do much to uphold Ameri-
can principles. traditions and beliefs.
Archbishop Curley referred to what
he termed "communistic activities" in
Washington and read a notice Of a
meeting called to honor the Russian
leader, Lenin.
(The meeting, held Sunday by the
Communist party Of Washington, was
described as a Lenin memorial meet
ing. A resolution was adopted de-
manding that this country "lift its
embargo against the friendly Popular
Front government Of Spain - and,
further. that the United States de-
clare the governments Of Germany,
Italy and Portugal to be violators of
the Kellogg peace pact and Immediate
ly forbid all shipments Of war mate
rials, or loans for such materials, or
credits Of any description, to these
three governments.")
Mentioning the move made in Con-
gress to repeal the so-called "red rider"
requiring school employees to make
oath they have not taught or advo-
Gated communism before receiving
their pay, the archbishop assailed
what he termed propaganda" for re-
peal, asserting 40 per cent of 1t is
absolutely false and absolutely de-
oeptive."
As an example Of what he con-
sidered propaganda" the archbishop
read from q handful which stated:
What does this Red Rider this
conspiracy Of silence, mean? How can
q bill forbidding teachers to mention
q political philosophy and q form Of
government pass through our Con-
gress? Who backed this bill and why?
Who are these gentlemen who are
afraid to let school children know the
truth?"
The archbishop said that neither
mention nor discussion Of Russia or
communism Is prohibited under the
bill, but that depicting communism
with favor or support was prohibited
and should be prohibited.