Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-05-31
ACT OF SOCIALISTS At MUSCA.
TINE GREATLY INcENsES
GRAND ARMY MEMBERS.
PARTY OF VETERANS TEARS
BANNER TO TATERS
Led by Crippled Old Soldier, Boys Of
81 Invade Socialist Headquarters and
Tear Down Questionable Flag Which
Surmounted Stars and Stripes-No
Resistance offered.

Muscatine, May 31.-The red flag OF
socialism floating over the stars anG
stripes from the headquarters OF the
local socialist party on West Second
street. provided the most sensational
event to mark Memorial Day in Mus
catine. Old Glory waved from the
Elite laundry below. The display Of
the red flag was OF short duration
however. for no sooner had the ban
ner Of the party been noticed than
survivors OF the Grand Army. men
who braved death in order that the
flag CT liberty might be unSullled
planned to repudiate what they con-
sidered to be an insult to the cOlorS
for which their comrades gave their
life blood. While some had started
out in quest of Mayor koehler 10 re-
quest him to issue an order command
ing the members Of the socialist party
to remove the banner which Emma
Goldman and others Of that stripe
Haunt where the patriotism is so low
that it can not wash out the b!enlish.
another party OF veterans started for
the rooms from which the flag had
been extended.
Rodman Leads Party.
Henry F. Rodman. member Of
the Thirty-f1fth Iowa and participant
IN some of the most important engage
ments in the war, who as a result of
the eApvsuIv encountered during his
years Of service in defense OF the
flag, is SO crippled by rheumatism,
that he was forced to ride in a car
riage in the parade, rather than walk
with his comrades over the line Of
march. led the party, and as he ad-
vanced up the stairway leading to the
heS dquarters he forgot his infirmities,
and with all of the vigor os youth he,
accompanied by ComraGe Joseph Biles
and others, proceeded 10 the window
from which the insignia OF the party
of revolt was exhibited and with the
6exterity that comes only in such a
crisis he reached out, broke the rod
and tearing the flag to pieces threw it
into the street. AS the small handful
Of people on the street witnessed this
lesson in patriotism which will ever
remain fresh in their memory, they
were moved BY its particular signih-
canoe and the deed brought forth ap-
plause so spontaneous that it marked
perhaps the most sincere display of
patriotic sentiment, witnessed in Mus
catine in years.
Creates Furore.
No event which has transpired in
Muscatine in many months has oc-
casioned as much furore as did the
act Of the local socialists Business
people were highly incensed over the
display of the color of the party and
tha - H.
orally circulated the old soldiers.
whom the whole nation honors, gath
cred together in groups and their ex-
pressions Of sentiment were such as to
impress the hearer Of the manner in
which they looked upon the exhibition
Of the red flag. Had the event taken
place on any other day, their indigna-
ton would have been deep. but that it
should occur on the day which has
been set aside IN order that the spirit
OF sacrifice and the lesson of patriot
ism might be impressed upon the
younger generation by consideration
OF the heroism of the warriors caused
them to appear dramatic in their con-
demnation of such a proceeding
Admits He Did 1t.
Lee w. Lang, a socialist member Of
the Muscatine school board. which
body is thru the teachers entrusted with
the obligation Of instilling into the
hearts Of the children the spirit Of pa
trtotism, proudly admitted that he
tackled up the flag. When interro-
gated as to the motive Of the act, he.
wearing his characteristic grin, de-
ciared that as it was Decoration Day,
he thought 1t might be well to dec
crate the headquarters