MILITANT PRIEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22058, 14 March 1935, Page 11

MILITANT PRIEST

BROADCAST IN AMERICA GENERAL JOHNSON ATTACKED DETROIT. March 12 Father Coughlin followed Mr. H. p. Long this evening in publicly answering the charges made against him by General Johnson. In a 45 minutes' broadcast speech he divided his remarks between vigorously attacking the "Wall Street Money Trust " for which, he claimed, General Johnson was spokesman, and advocating his own programme for social justice and economic liberty. The principal feature of this programme was the creation of a Govern-ment-controlled Central Bank to supersede the nation's private banking structure. Most of the address was in the form of direct queries and statements to General Johnson, as if the speaker were addressing him face to face. After defending his right as a churchman to discuss political questions, Father Coughlin unleashed a sarcastic flow of invective against General Johnson, at various times calling him a " chocolate soldier," a " prince of bombast " and " the first casualty of the new deal." He added: "However, he is only speaking for his masters," often naming Mr. Bernard Baruch with whom General Johnson was associated for many years. The speaker reaffirmed his support of President Roosevelt, and alleged that it was General Johnson, Mr. Baruch and other " Wall Streeters " who were attempting to wreck the administration, not him, although he retained the right to criticise some of the features of the new deal.