The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-28
George Ayotte Finds Lack of Substance in Local Ministers Criticism of Father Coughlin-
 Breaches Gospel of Brotherly Love.
Editory Waterbury Democrat:

EQlUOTy WdlerDury DemOcraC.
 In the Dies Report on the inves- tigation of subversive and un-Amer- ican activities, the American League for Peace and Democracy" ranks high as a Communist sup ported organization. With this back ground in mind, wish to call at tention to an article that appeared in the columns of the Waterbury Democrat, March 9, 1889, page Il, under the heading of Peace and Democracy" The article reads as follows: ''The Waterbury Branch of the League for Peace and Democra- cy elected Rev. Alison J. Smith chairman at an organization meet ing held last night at the Central Y.M.C.A. Rev. MT. Smith is pastor of Grace Methodist Church of Wa terville.
 Well, well, don't tell me! Is this the same gentleman who spat ven- omous phrases at the person of Father Coughlin calling him among other things an Anti-Semite, a crackpot, demogogue, etc?
 In an open letter to the Water bury Democrat on March 21, 1889, Rev. MT. Smith quoted a number of Catholic Priests, and various newspaper clippings, in feeble at tempt to justify his actions. A fa- vorite pastime of Rev. MT. Smith it seems is quoting Catholic Priests. Too bad MT. Smith you can't quote few that were murdered in RED SPAIN by the organization you sponsor.
 The so-called ample proofs which Rev. MT. Smith furnishes to substan- tiate his accusations are taken word for word from book entitled Father Coughlin, His Facts and Argu- ments".
 Tut, tut, Reverend, when asked for proofs, didn't ask for CANNED JEWISH PROPAGANDA. I make the statement that more than three quarters of your letter was copied from the above named book. At least you could have been honest about it and mentioned the fact that "The American Jewish Con- gress," "B'Nai B'Rith", American Jewish Committee, Jewish Labor Committed constituting the Gen. eral Jewish Council furnished you with your so-called ample proofs.
 Any intelligent person knows that Father Coughlin has never stated that his lectures represented the views of the Catholic Church. For your information and for those who hold similar views, I state that Cardinal Mundelein, Monsignor Ryan, Father A'Hearn, and other church dignitaries who have dis agreed with Fr. Coughlin's economic theories do not speak for the Cath olic church. That prerogative is vested solely in the Apostolic Del egate, who is the official represen- tative of the Holy SEE" in Amer ica. Until he sees fit to silence Fr. Coughlin, he'll stay on the airways where he belongs.
 That bunk about Fr. Coughlin re- beating German Minister of Propa- ganda speeches by Herr Goebbels is a Communist chestnut. We know that by heart. Put on another record. Fr. Coughlin knows more in ten minutes than you or Goebbels will ever know. See page 32 Facts and Arguments" that's where you got your information. Dear me; suppose the next thing you'll want me to believe is that "Mussolini" is an exercise. Long live Benito. Viva!
 Reverend MT. Smith states that on Monday Nov. 28, 1888 the Treasury Department in Washington issued a press release over the signature of the Chief of the U. s. Secret Service denying statements and quotations made by Father Coughlin in refer ence to British White Paper", which is a collection of reports on "Bolshevism in Russia. Listen Rev. erend, I'm not interested in press reports. What we read in our con- trolled press is just what the press wants us to know. This document was guaranteed as authentic by the American Intelligence Service of the United States Army, and there are no Army records in the Treasury Dept. You're thinking of Coxey,s army? Why not try the Attorney Generals Office? They have records there: or would you be interested? Maybe Ma Perkins could help.
 | I often heard of Fritz Kuhn oi the German Bunds. didn't know he was a friend of yours Reverend I believe you said in your letter you went to New York to pay him g