Trusting that this answers your question and that you will do whatever you can to help, not only financially but otherwise, I am, Very sincerely yours, IRVING FISHER. The CHAIRMAN. What I am inquiring about is the reason of expenditures of money. That is what I want to find out some of the reasons for the expenditures of money or the sending of literature into Indiana or other States. Mr. WININGS. I think here is one. that will probably show, Senator Reed, when Colonel Roosevelt was defeated in New York, and Coolidge was elected by about a million and a half, I became curious to know why; so this, I think, will give you what you want to know. I wrote to Mr. Warren, secretary, dated October 10, 1924. [Reading:] EXHIBIT No. 346 ELWOOD, IND., October 10, 1924. New York, N. Y. THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS NONPARTISAN ASSOCIATION, Hon. SYLVESTER WARREN, Secretary. MY DEAR MR. WARREN: Since the election I have wondered to what extent your activities contributed to the general results in securing a majority in the House or Senate favorable to the league idea, or World Court. I would be glad to know what the chances are under the Coolidge administration with so many of the Magnus Johnsons eliminated. Very respectfully, MARK E. WININGS. This is the reply dated November 13, 1924 [reading]: EXHIBIT No. 347 THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS NONPARTISAN ASSOCIATION, MR. MARK E. WININGS, MY DEAR MR. WININGS: Referring to the inquiry in your letter of November 10, I have to say that I doubt whether it is possible as yet to say just what result on House and Senate the overturnings of the recent election will have. Of one thing, however, I am certain. That is that it can not in any of its aspects be rightly interpreted as a mandate against either the court or the league. Here in New York State, for example, young Colonel Roosevelt, who came out viciously against the league and was rebuked by our association, ran a million behind his ticket. His antileague attitude was not the sole contributing cause, probably not the main cause, but it would be no more grotesque to undertake to explain his defeat on that score than the election of Coolidge and other Republicans for the opposite reason. The defeat and removal of many of the most determined opponents of the league will, I should suppose, create a considerably different atmosphere. Yours very truly, WILLIAM H. SHORT, Executive Director. THE OBJECT 1. To make the value of American membership in league and court known to the people of the United States. 2. To inform regarding league and court all candidates for the Presidency, the Senate, House of Representatives, governorship of States, and delegates to national political conventions and secure from them pledges of support for American membership therein. 3. To urge in every possible manner the adherence of the United States to the Permanent Court of International Justice on the basis recommended by President Harding and Secretary Hughes on February 24, 1923. The CHAIRMAN. Did he run against Al Smith down there? Mr. WININGS. Yes. This is a letter dated February 25, 1926, signed by Charles G. Bauer [reading]: EXHIBIT No. 348 LEAGUE OF NATIONS NONPARTISAN ASSOCIATION (INC.), Mr. MARK E. WININGS, No. 1115 Main Street, Elwood, Ind. MY DEAR MR. WININGS: Your letter of February 22, addressed to Mr. Short, has just reached my desk. Mr. Short is no longer connected with our associa tion and I shall attempt to answer your letter. I think I represent the unanimous opinion of the executive committee of our association when I say that American adherence to the Permanent Court of International Justice is only a short step in the direction of attempting to settle the question of the maintenance of the peace of the world and the limitation of armaments-however, it is a step forward. Our association, of course, shall continue its educational campaign throughout the country, and particularly in States represented by Senators who bear the stamp of the isolationists. I presume Senators Watson and Robinson come in this category. In any event, we are now setting up what we hope to be an effective organization in Indiana under the executive secretaryship of Joseph Myers, jr., 821 Occidental Building, Indianapolis. I am sure he would be encouraged to get a word from you that he might be sure of your interest and cooperation. Cordially yours, CHARLES C. BAUER, Executive Director. My answer to this letter is dated March 15, 1926 [reading]: Hon. CHAS. E. BAUER, EXHIBIT No. 349 ELWOOD, IND., March 15, 1926. Executive Director, League of Nations Nonpartisan Association, No. 6 East Thirty-ninth Street, New York City. DEAR MR. BAUER: Permit me to thank you for the information asked for and received in your letter of February 25 regarding the Indiana situation. Again I desire to ask the attitude of the Indianapolis News, which is perplexing to some extent. Mr. Warren had assured me some time ago they were your mouthpiece in this State; but recently they have championed Senator Watson's cause; also seem antileague. Also the three Star papers-Indianapolis, Terra Hause, and Muncie—who heretofore have been antileague and pro-Beveridge, have come out for your association or seemingly so, but have not as yet championed anyone's candidacy. This switch has seemed strange to many and I will thank you if consistent for any explanation; also to know who and what candidates you favor or oppose in the primary to be held here in May for United States Senator. Very respectfully, MARK E. WININGS. The CHAIRMAN. Who was Mr. Warren? Mr. WININGS. Mr. Warren was the secretary, but it seemed to keep changing secretaryships. It is first Mr. Short and then it is Mr. Warren. This Mr. Bauer, I think, was an organizer all over the United States. This is Mr. Bauer's letter to me of March 17, 1926 [reading]: EXHIBIT NO. 350 THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS NONPARTISAN ASSOCIATION (INC.), Mr. MARK E. WININGS, Elwood, Ind. New York, N. Y., March 17, 1926. MY DEAR MR. WININGS: Your letter of March 15 has just been received. Some time back the Indianapolis News was very friendly toward the cause of both the court and the league. Since that time, however, the paper has been taken over by the Fairbanks interests and I understand they are not as favorably disposed toward those two institutions as they might be. I think Mr. Louis Howland, who is the nominal editor of the Indianapolis News, does not control the policy of the paper. I believe it is now controlled by Mr. Warren Fairbanks. The other three papers you mention—the Indianapolis Star, the Terre Haute Star, and the Muncie Star-are all owned by John C. Schaffer, and as he is very definitely committed to the league, I see no reason why they should not support the things we stand for. I do not know who the candidates are who are up for nomination in the primaries in May. Of course, Senators Watson and Robinson both voted against the World Court when it came up before the Senate. As far as international matters are concerned, I do not believe Indiana could be less ably represented in the Senate than they are at the present time. Won't you please let me know who the candidates are for nomination for United States Senator in both parties? I should very much appreciate having this information. Many thanks for your continued interest and cooperation. Cordially yours, CHARLES C. BAUER, Executive Director. The CHAIRMAN. He seems to be favorable, notwithstanding their vote? Mr. WININGS. He is against them. He states in here, "As far as international matters are concerned, I do not believe Indiana could be less ably represented in the Senate than they are at the present time." Here is a pamphlet headed "Why not join the league?" An address by John H. Clarke, at the dinner of the League of Nations Nonpartisan Association, January 10, 1923, Hotel Biltmore, New York City. The CHAIRMAN. Now, when we get down to this $8,000,000 fund, it comes to this; they had 800 people, or something like that, at a banquet? Mr. WININGS. That is right. The CHAIRMAN. You have advices from some of these officersMr. WININGS. Mr. Irving Fisher. The CHAIRMAN. That they have several $10,000 subscriptions? Mr. WININGS. Yes; several $10,000 subscriptions. The CHAIRMAN. But that is very far from saying that 800 people subscribed a thousand dollars apiece? Mr. WININGS. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. And the activities of the league are such as are made manifest by those documents. In Indiana the league, as far as it has any influence, apparently, from those documents, is opposing Senators Watson and Robinson? Mr. WININGS. No question about that. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Meyers is referred to as the man conducting the fight. We have already taken his testimony, and he seems to have left there on July 1, and to have left nobody to take his place. All right. That is all, Mr. Winings. Thank you, sir. TESTIMONY OF MILTON ELLROD, SR. (The witness was sworn by the chairman.) The CHAIRMAN. Where do you reside? Mr. ELLROD. Indianapolis. The CHAIRMAN. How long have you lived there? The CHAIRMAN. What is your occupation? Mr. ELLROD. Farmer. The CHAIRMAN. Farmer? Mr. ELLROD. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Have you ever been an editor? The CHAIRMAN. What paper did you edit? Mr. ELLROD. I edited the klan publication commonly called the Fiery Cross, later called the Courier, from 1922 to 1925. The CHAIRMAN. From 1922 to 1925. Is that a paper for general circulation among klansmen in the United States? Mr. ELLROD. Yes, sir. The CHAIRMAN. I am going to ask you a question that may be a little bit leading, for I want to get along. Mr. ELLROD. Sure. The CHAIRMAN. Do you print papers for each of the States where the klan is organized and then send those papers out to those States with a headline on for that State? Mr. ELLROD. At that time, I might say, Senator, to make it clear, those papers have all been consolidated into what is now called the Courier. At the time they were distributed as State papers, some of them were published in the States, and some of them were published in Washington. The CHAIRMAN. You were general editor of all of them, were you? Mr. ELLROD. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. Sometimes you printed your publication in the various States? Mr. ELLROD. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. A publication for that State? Mr. ELLROD. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. It would have some local news in, I Mr. ELLROD. Yes. suppose? The CHAIRMAN. Now they have all been consolidated and you just send out one paper? Mr. ELLROD. Yes. The CHAIRMAN. You severed your connection with that paper when? Mr. ELLROD. May, 1925. The CHAIRMAN. Were you ever employed by the Democratic National Committee? Mr. ELLROD. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Did you ever do any editorial work for the Democratic National Committee? Mr. ELLROD. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Did you for the Republican National Committee? Mr. ELLROD. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Did you for the State committee of either party in your State? Mr. ELLROD. No, sir. The CHAIRMAN. Do you know anything about the activities of Mr. Zumbrunn in Washington? Mr. ELLROD. Well, not much; I have been away from there since May, 1925. The matters under discussion before this committee, I take it from the testimony I have heard here, are subsequent to that date. The CHAIRMAN. That is very true; but they may be interlocked together, so I will ask you to answer my question. That is, what you may know may be a preface to things that afterwards happened. Mr. ELLROD. Sure. The CHAIRMAN. What do you know about Zumbrunn's political activities, or his interference with the election of Senators, or the seating of Senators and contests of Senators? Mr. ELLROD. Facts or rumors? Mr. ELLROD. Nothing. The CHAIRMAN. Nothing at all? Mr. ELLROD. Nothing whatever. The CHAIRMAN. When you speak of rumors, what is the source of the rumor; just a common rumor floating around, or did somebody make statements to you who claimed to personally know the facts? Mr. ELLROD. Well, Senator, imagination and conjecture have taken the form of rumors, and later facts. I think that is what you are getting mostly. I do not care to give any of them as facts, because they are not facts. The CHAIRMAN. You do not know them to be facts? Mr. ELLROD. Not to be, at all; no. The CHAIRMAN. It was stated to me that you knew something about a $25,000 deal in the seating of a certain Senator, or a contest of a certain Senator. Do you know anything of that kind, of your own knowledge? Mr. ELLROD. Of a $25,000 deal? The CHAIRMAN. Yes. Mr. ELLROD. None whatever; no. The CHAIRMAN. Do you know anything about any deal or talk of a deal with relation to the seating of Magnus Johnson? Mr. ELLROD. The seating of Magnus Johnson, or the contest of Magnus Johnson? The CHAIRMAN. Either one. Mr. ELLROD. I went to Minnesota in-pardon me, Senator, when was the election in Minnesota? 1924-I think, December 21, 1924, and there I met Andy Ralm, and had lunch with him, and discussed with him the possibility of a contest for Magnus Johnson. My recollection is that there were really no facts available, or nothing on which a contest could be predicated. The CHAIRMAN. Whom were you representing when you went there? Mr. ELLROD. I was representing the Washington Bureau of the klan. |