Red Hunt Quashed

Another loud-trumpeted crusade against "destructive radicalism" in the U. S. petered out quickly last week in Washington when President Hoover shook a disapproving finger in its direction and persons of lesser importance fell over themselves denying any connection with it.

The new Red hunt was to have been conducted through the National Republic, semi-official party monthly of the G. O. P. On Congressional letter paper ("privately printed and paid for"), Ohio's Congressman Frank Murphy begged "friends of the administration" to contribute $110 each to help the National Republic chase Reds, "to carry on a publicity campaign in support of ... sound government." Added Mr. Murphy: "The President is doing his part splendidly." Endorsements of the National Republic's crusade were apparently obtained from Republican National Committee Chairman Work, Senators Watson of Indiana and Burton of Ohio, Congressman null of Indiana. The spectacle of such a campaign in which he "was doing his part splendidly" thoroughly annoyed President Hoover. His repudiation came swiftly, if unofficially, when a nameless White House voice declared the President was opposed to all "drives" and that he did not intend to engage in any Red hunt when so many Real Issues were before the country. Quick to dissociate themselves from the magazine's campaign were Chairman Work and Congressman Wood. Democratic Executive Committee Chairman Jouett Shouse immediately detected a Republican effort to divert public attention from the party's "tariff robbery." Gibed he: "It is always safe to tilt at the phantom of anarchy. The Reds have no friends. . . . However, the only Red menace just now in the offing is the red herring the Republicans are seeking to draw across the trail of their own ineptness. . . ."