STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN The present report has been compiled after a careful study of the evidence taken before the Committee, covering several thousand pages of testimony and a vast number of documents secured by the Committee in the course of its investigations. The revolutionary movement, being of an international character, involved and necessitated a study of conditions existing not only in the State of New York but throughout the United States as well as in Europe and elsewhere: it is for that reason that this report necessarily is taken up, to a substantial extent, with a consideration of the conditions existing outside the State of New York. The preparation of the report was begun shortly before the investigation by the Assembly of the State of New York into the qualifications of the five Socialist Assemblymen-elect to take their seats in that body. The records of this Committee were subpœnaed by the Judiciary Committee of the Assembly and used in that investigation. Counsel for the Committee were retained by the Assembly Committee to assist in its investigation, which was not concluded until the first of April. All this involved an interruption in the work of preparation which made it difficult to complete it before the closing of the legislative session on April 24th. This made it impossible to give as much time as the Committee desired to a careful consideration of the literary form and order of arrangement. The report is very largely made up of documents the originals of which are in the possession of the Committee. It has been the desire of the Committee to eliminate personalities and put in only such evidence and documents as seemed absolutely necessary in order that a clear understanding might be had of the subjects under investigation. The Committee has received much assistance in its work from various public officials. Early in the summer District Attorney Swann of New York county assigned Assistant District Attorney Alexander I. Rorke to this Committee. He has not only cooperated with the Committee in its work, but has so ably handled the criminal anarchy cases arising out of the investigations of this Committee in New York county that he has secured a conviction in every case of criminal anarchy which has been presented in court up to this time. The Committee has also received much assistance from the district attorneys of Bronx, Kings, Erie, Monroe, Oneida, Cortland and other counties in the State. The Committee also wishes to express its gratitude to Major George R. Chandler and Captain John A. Warner, of the State police, the police of the City of New York, especially Commissioner Richard E. Enright, Inspector Faurot (now Deputy Commissioner), and Sergeant James Gegan, head of the bomb squad, and to the police of Utica, Rochester, and Buffalo, for the able assistance furnished by these officials. The Committee is under great obligation to Charles D. Newton, Attorney-General of the State of New York, Deputy AttorneysGeneral Samuel A. Berger and Frederick R. Rich, Archibald E. Stevenson, Esq., Prof. Arthur L. Frothingham of Princeton, N. J., and Miss Eleanor A. Barnes. Much gratification has been afforded the chairman of the Committee by the fact that the work of the Committee has been entirely free from political or personal dissensions of any kind. Every member of the Committee has diligently and patriotically worked for an honest and fair investigation and presentation of the movement now on foot to undermine and destroy the government and institutions of the State and Nation. CLAYTON R. LUSK, Chairman GENERAL INTRODUCTION In the report here presented the Committee seeks to give a clear, unbiased statement and history of the purposes and objects, tactics and methods, of the various forces now at work in the United States, and particularly within the State of New York, which are seeking to undermine and destroy, not only the government under which we live, but also the very structure of American society; it also seeks to analyze the various constructive forces which are at work throughout the country counteracting these evil influences and to present the many industrial and social problems that these constructive forces must meet and are meeting. The Great War has shaken the foundation of European civilization. The same forces which promote civil strife in many of the countries of Europe are at work on this side of the ocean seeking to create a division in our population, stimulating class hatred and a contempt for government, which, if continued, must necessarily result in serious consequences to the peace and prosperity of this country. In doing this they are taking advantage of the real grievances and natural demands of the working classes for a larger share in the management and use of the common wealth. The problems which were submitted by the Legislature to this Committee for investigation, are vital to the country's life. Upon the steps taken toward their solution, the Committee feels depends the perpetuation of our institutions. We therefore urge members of the Legislature and those into whose hands this report may come, to consider thoughtfully the facts here presented, in order to become acquainted with the subversive forces at work within our boundaries, and to give them careful and devoted study, so as to determine what steps shall and must be taken towards the solution of the problems they create. In the section of this report dealing with American conditions, the Committee has attempted to describe in detail the various organizations masquerading as political parties, giving the principles and objects for which they stand, as well as the methods |