Evening star., 1939-02-06
which is not democratic, both in
aims and methods.


Differences Fundamental.
My differences with the COM
munistic principles are fundamen-
tai I would differ with anybody
who espoused such principles, wheth-
er he called himself a Communist,
Republican, a Democrat, or a
National Socialist.
Because of my unshakable faith
in democracy and democratic pro-
cedures, I have fought vigorously
to maintain democratic principles
in every organization with which I
have been connected, and refused
to tolerate the slightest leaning
toward dictatorship and direct ac-
ton, whether from the right or left
In view of my public record of
vigorous opposition to Communism
and the policies of the Communist
party in the United States, it seems
ridiculous that a charge of Com
munism should be made against
me-"
In 1888. Mr. Amlie recalled, Mayor
La Guardia of New York and other
liberals called national confer
ence which resulted in the forma-
ton of the Farmer-Labor Political
Federation, of which Il was elected
chairman"
Il was bitterly attacked by a
number of Communist writers and
speakers as result of my activities
in that conference, he added. Earl
BroWder, secretary of the Com
munist party, wrote an article, say
ing that Farmer-Labor advocates
are united on one thing-opposition
to and fear of the Communist
party"
Il have gone into the record of the
controversy between myself and the
Communist party because it is the
most effective way know of refuting
the charges of Communism that
have been raised against me by the
Wisconsin Legislature" Mr.. Amlie
said. This record is perfectly we'll
known in Wisconsin, because much
of it was headlines when it occurred.
Il have gone into this record at
some length because it serves to
unmask the tactics of the interests
which seek to smear every public
official whom they are opposed with
the label of Communism"
He cited several other instances
in which he had been attacked by
Communists, and then accused Rep
resentatfve Bolles of Wisconsin, who
has opposed his appointment, of
"distorting the truth" in attacks on
him.
"Of course, cannot say that this
distortion by Representative Bolles
is deliberate,' he said. 1T may well
be that he is unable to distinguish
between a hypothetical description
and actual advocacy, just as the
simple Indians found themselves
Unable to distinguish between Co.
lumbus' prediction of an eclipse and
his having anything to do with
bringing about that eclipse. They
blamed him for magically bringing
about this terrible supernatural
event, which he merely predicted on
the basis of scientific knowledge.
whether such tactics are basec
on deliberate Misrepresentation OF
inability to understand, it would
seem that they are the tactics which
are constantly being used in rigging
up the charge of Communism"
Questioned by Chairman.
Under questioning by Chairman
Johnson of the subcommittee, Mr.
Amlie said he was a member of the
Progressive party, an independent
party in Wisconsin, but had sup.
ported President Roosevelt in 1913.
and 1886.
He said he could not say definitely
whether the Progressive party hac
fromally supported the President.
Chairman johnson said he thought
this important, in view of the re.
quirements that a Democrat coulc
not be appointed to the I. c. c., now
under its bipartisan makeup.
Asked about his views on Govern.
ment ownership of the railroads, MI
Amlie said his ideas on this subjec
had been formed largely on the
basis of statements by Joseph B
Eastman, member of the I. c. C
He added that he stood on the plank
of political groups with which HI
had been affiliated, which called fol