Evening star., 1940-08-02
HeCkIer of Senator Turns
Peace Meeting Into Uproor
Ex-Army Sergeant
Objects to Speech
Against Training

scription rally last night, during
which an ex-Army sergeant inter-
rupted speech by Senator Holt,
Democrat, of West Virginia and
later took punch at one of the men
who tried to lead him from the
speakers platform, the seven peace
organizations which sponsored the
meeting today prepared to intensity
their battle against compulsory mil
itary training.
The World War veteran, Edley
H. Grayson, A, of 175O N street
NV, an automobile salesman. was
arrested by police on charges OF
disorderly conduct. He was released
on posting S. collateral. Recipient
of his blow, Stanley Rappeport, Is,
of Baltimore, suffered a slight bruise
on the cheek.
Criticizes Senator.
At the time of the melee, Senator
Holt had been criticizing the Army
camp at Plattsburg, N. Y.
Have you ever been there?" Mr..
Grayson shouted from the floor of
the gathering of more than 1000
persons at the Raleigh Hotel.
mo, I haven't" the Senator be-
gan a reply which was lost in a
din of cries directed at the heckler.
Throw him out!' some suggest
ed. To this arose shouts of Let
him stay!" -
Holding up his hands for order,
Senator Holt told the audience that
Il can take care of him. Don t
worry about that"
Mr.. Grayson waited until the Sem
ator finished his address. Then he
mounted the platform to continue
the argument, and the scuffle began
Several persons attempted to usher
Mr.. Grayson away.
Assail Conscription.
Both Senator Holt and Senator
Nye, Republican. of North Dakota
assailed the conscription bill and
Secretary of War Stimson.
Senator Holt denounced the draft
bill now pending in Congress as
challenging the American way of
life and the start toward militarism
in this country"
"P C e t m e conscription," he
charged, destroys the rights of citi-
zens and makes them vassals. Show
me dictatorship, and I'll show you
conscription."
Frequently interrupted by shouts
Of applause, the West Virginian de-
clared that American youth is un-
willing to take this un-American
doctrine and will not do so.
Accusing Secretary Stimson of be-
ing "warmonger," Senator Holt
characterized the formers warning
of invasion by Germany of the
United States as "just plain poppy
cock"
Nye Calls 1t Insult"
Any conscription Of man power in
peacetime was termed by Senator
Nye as IAN insult to every American
citizen and a move to shanghai
American youth into totalitarianism
and militarism."
There would be much better
taste in the American mouth" if a
draft of capital accompanied any
draft of men, he claimed. He con-
tended voluntary enlistment hasn't
been given an opportunity to prove
itself, and asked that the Army
raise the base pay of $21 per month
to at least equal the money given
persons on relief.
Described by DR.. Charles F. Boss.
jr, executive secretary of the World
Peace Commission of the Methodist
Church. chairman of the assembly,
as the mouthpiece of millions of
citizens opposed to the entry of this
country in war;" Senator Wheeler,
Democrat, of Montana, compli-
mented his listeners on the fact that
"even in voteless Washington so
many people gather to protest con-
scription"
Says People Against 1t.
Strangely enough, he went on, all
the large daily newspapers in the
East are for conscription, while
the people are against it. Nobody,
he asserted, has ever explained the
need for an immediate draft Army.
There is no emergency, he said,
except In the minds of men who
want this country to 60 to war.
Bitterly attacking Secretary Slim
son, the Montana Senator said:
IF a man hasn't got any more
Judgment or poise to say that Hitler