REPORT

SIRS. The year of 1919, replete with novel developments in all spheres of human activities, marked by industrial unrest, soaring prices for the necessaries of life and equivalent increases in the cost of other human necessities, embarrassment of the means of transportation growing out of war conditions and a general tendency to anxiety in the world of finance due to the enormous outlays for war and loans to the Allies, has not been without its burdens for the Attorney-General of New York State. All State activities have been affected more or less by the general prevalence of unprecedented conditions. And, accordingly, the duties of the Attorney-General were enlarged by reason of the fact that all agencies of the State government turned to him, as was natural, for advice and guidance over administrative rough spots.

RADICALISM

During the year the Attorney-General in addition to his other duties acted as counsel to the Joint Legislative Committee created at the 1919 session of the Legislature to investigate radicalism and Bolshevism in New York State. His selection as counsel to this committee enlarged his duties very extensively, and a considerable portion of his time was spent in presenting evidence gathered against radicals to the committee at public and executive hearings. These hearings were held in New York city, Buffalo, Utica and other up-State cities.

Under the so-called Peace and Safety Act which casts upon the Attorney-General the duty of investigating evidences of seditious activities and all movements having as their aim subversion of governmental principles and interference with governmental functions the State was enabled to uncover plots which aimed at the overthrow of organized government, far reaching in effect and disastrous unless counteracted by the light of investigation and publicity.

Early in the investigation it was disclosed that the Bolshevik government of Russia had established in this country, right in the heart of New York city, an "embassy" where there was installed a so-called "envoy" who, according to evidence later disclosed, was acting in the interest of the Bolshevik government and closely associated with the radical parties in the United States, including the Communists, Socialists, "right" and "left" wing, the I. W. W. and other organizations of questionable motive. This ambassador is Ludwig C. A. K. Martens who upon his own confession proved to be a German alien, born in Russia of German parents, but claiming Russian citizenship upon the strength of papers issued by the revolutionary party which seized the reins of government in Russia after the downfall of the Czar.

Martens claimed that his activities in this country embraced nothing more than efforts to establish trade relations between the United States and Soviet Russia, that he had not associated himself with any of the radical parties in the United States, that he had kept aloof from any movements or activities designed to interfere with orderly governmental processes.

Investigation made of his "headquarters" disclosed that his efforts to establish trade relations between the United States and Bolshevik Russia were only a small part of his activities. In his offices we found greetings from the radical organizations of the various cities of the countries and his enthusiastic responses to these greetings. We found that he had furnished speakers to address meetings held in protest of the arrest and imprisonment of espionage law violators; that he had been in communication with organizations that had defended draft evaders; that he had been in contact by correspondence with practically every radical of note in the country; that his communications with Soviet Russia were by underground channels; that moneys used by him to defray the expenses of his bureau in New York city were carried to this country by mysterious agents of Lenine and Trotsky, the Bolshevik dictatorship of Russia; that important documents bearing upon his relations with Bolshevik Russia, secret communications containing what are supposed to be directions for his operations, were removed outside the State and hid

away in order to prevent them from falling into the hands of the investigators appointed by the Legislature.

We examined Martens and other radicals at length, but concerning the sources of the moneys furnished to operate his bureau and the identity of the agents who brought the money to America and helped maintain his secret communications with Soviet Russia we learned little. To questions directed to disclose the identity of these agents Martens replied:

"In revolutionary circles we do not ask names, credentials only."

The report of the legislative committee which will be submitted to your honorable body by the committee itself will give full information about its investigations and the disclosures made. I have discussed the investigation only in a general way in order to acquaint you with the activities of the Attorney-General bearing upon this inquiry.

With respect to the counteraction of radicalism I have consistently advocated the deportation of the more radical agitators, prosecution of extremists who advocate violence and overthrow of the government, the organization of the veterans of the World War into actively patriotic legions ever watchful of movements designed to destroy the ideals for which these veterans fought and the initiation and extension of an intensive campaign of Americanization. My ideas in this connection may be best presented by the following quotations from an address I delivered before the annual conference of the Association of Attorneys-General of the United States held in Boston in September:

"How are we to handle the problem of radicalism confronting us in this country is a question that is engaging the minds of practically every legislative body in the country. Of course, it will become necessary to prosecute and convict some of the more radical ones who have openly defied the law by flagrantly preaching the doctrines of violence and overthrow of government. We cannot permit these anarchists. to spread the doctrine of disloyalty.

"I also believe that in deportation lies the most effective means of solving this problem. Large numbers of these radicals are aliens who have no intention of becoming Americans.

They come to this country solely for the purpose of agitating unrest. They should be deported.

"The present immigration laws may be broad enough to permit this deportation, but if they are not, I believe they should be amended so as to facilitate the deportation of radical agitators. If these laws now permit such deportation and the immigration officials lack the backbone to do their duty in this respect, I believe we should supplant these immigration officials with men who have the courage to handle this situation fearlessly.

"As additional remedies I would suggest Americanization and the country-wide organization of the veterans of the World War into actively patriotic legions ever watchful of movements designed to destroy the ideals for which these veterans fought.

"By Americanization I mean intensive instruction in our schools in the ideals and traditions of America, in the nature of her institutions, in the history of these United States. Implant in the minds of our children an appreciation of the liberties America alone can give, the liberties that spring from respect for law and order, obedience to constituted authority; liberties, rights and consequent happiness which are unobtainable in any other country in the world, and you will create an American citizenry that in the years to come will stamp out the last vestige of I. W. W. and kindred creeds. Most States are now engaged in campaigns of Americanization and the progress they are making is encouraging. Let Americanism be the universal aim. Teach it to American children and preach it to the foreigner who comes to our shores. Americanism is surely an antidote for Bolshevism.

"In the creation all over the country of American legions which enroll the veterans of the World War we have the means further to combat Bolshevism. These men who stood ready to make the supreme sacrifice in France will not tolerate the preachings of the malcontents in America. Every legion formed will be a combat unit for the destruction of radicalism."