In Maine

Closely following his notification in Evanston, and only the day after John W. Davis' second speech, Charles G. Dawes went to Maine in preparation for the September election there. Until a week or two ago, there was great uncertainty as to which of two candidates was going to be the. Republican nominee for Governor. There was a prolonged recount contest between Ralph O. Brewster, who went into the primaries with Klan support, and his opponent, who was anti-Klan. Finally, only a few days ago, the nomination was given to Brewster.

The day General Dawes appeared there, Mr. W. R. Pattangall, the Democratic nominee, aiming to take advantage of the Klan split in the Republican ranks, published in the newspapers two questions addressed to General Dawes:

"Do you agree to the proposition set up by the Republican managers of Maine that a vote for a Klan-controlled candidate is a vote for Coolidge and Dawes?"

"Do you believe that the Ku Klux Klan fills any useful place in the life of the United States?"

In opening his speech at Augusta, General Dawes launched directly into the Klan question:

"The questions of Mr. Pattangall, which appear in the press this morning, are the familiar trick questions of the ordinary politician. They are not the cause of the statement I am about to make.

"Let me say at once that I recognize that the Ku Klux Klan in many localities and among many people represents only an instinctive groping for leadership, moving in the interest of law enforcement, which they do not find in many cowardly politicians and office holders. But it is-- not the right way to forward law enforcement. . . .

"Appeals to racial, religious or class prejudice by minority organizations are opposed to the welfare of all peaceful and civilized communities."

He continued, touching on Mr. Davis' speech :

"Every honest man is as indignant as Mr. Davis is at a betrayal by anyone of the high trust of public office, but they also expect that in discussing a matter of such importance our political orators seek to present facts in their proper and correct relation to the welfare of the people. Common sense and fairness alike revolt at the suggestion that these individual derelictions, which the Administration has set out to punish, should outweigh, in the judgment of American citizens, the honesty and the accomplishments of the most successful business administration of Government our people have ever had. . . .

"American labor knows that its interests are subserved by the position of the Republican party on the tariff. It knows that its welfare depends upon the protective tariff policy sponsored by the Republican Party; and that the reversal of that policy, demanded by the Democratic Party, means lower wages and a lower standard of living. It knows that the success of LaFollette means chaos, out of which can only come lower wages and lower standards of living for all our people. ...

"The benefits of trade unions, honestly administered, are recognized not only by me, but by good citizens generally, whether in or out of trade unionism. It has elevated, protected and dignified labor, and in so doing it has been an element in the progress of our Nation. ..."