Eggs hurled at Senator Wheeler (9-17-41)

The Pittsburgh Press (September 17, 1941)

Senator undaunted –
EGGS HURLED AT WHEELER

Mention of Lindbergh stirs Montanans

Billings, Mont., Sept. 17 (UP) –
Six eggs were thrown at Senator Burton K. Wheeler (D-MT), isolationist leader, when he mentioned the name of Charles A. Lindbergh in an address here last night under auspices of the America First Committee.

Senator Wheeler said freedom of speech had been denied the flier, who in a speech at Des Moines last Thursday said the British, the Jews and the Roosevelt administration were the principal groups trying to lead the United States into war.

The Senator was not hit by the eggs and continued to accuse President Roosevelt of subscribing to the techniques of dictators in order to lead Americas into:

…cruel, bloody horrible war.

Senator Wheeler said:

The President of the United States rightly criticized Hitler for his persecution of minority groups. The President has denounced the dictators because they have denied free speech, but he has not been heard to denounce those who seek to prevent or abridge freedom of speech or expression in the United States.

Some ardent interventionists, some bloodthirsty warmonger who demand that we fight all over the world for the four freedoms, deny or approve the denial of free speech to Col. Lindbergh in the United States.

The six eggs came flying from the back of the hall, accompanied by boos and catcalls.

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The Pittsburgh Press (September 18, 1941)

BOY PAID TO THROW EGG, WHEELER SPONSOR SAYS

Billings, Mont., Sept. 18 (UP) –
William E. Fraser, chairman of the America First Committee which sponsored Senator Burton K. Wheeler’s address here Tuesday night, last night said that “only one egg” was thrown during the speech.

The “one egg, which Senator Wheeler never even saw,” Mr. Fraser said, was thrown by a small boy who confessed he was paid $5 to throw it.