The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1914-11-13

Smaley Alleged Confederate Newspaper Man, Leaves City
After Being Questioned by Poice-No Clue a. to Where
abouts Of Washington Discredts Lamont and De-
partment of Justice Orders Arrest.

That w. ]. Lamont, alias LeMont.
exposed as an impostor representing
himself to be an inspector attached
to the bureau of animal industry, de-
partment of agriculture, is in reality
secret service agent of foreign pow
er whose mission is to infect live
stock with the dreaded hOOf and
mouth disease, according to the theory
advanced by the Richmond police de-
partment.
Military critics have insisted all
along that success in the European
war hinges on the ability of the con-
testants to supply their armies with
ammunition and provisions. If the
food supply of either of the opposing
elements can be seriously crippled
success will rest with the opponent.
The theory is advanced that Lamont
who spoke with slight accent and
betrayed a foreign parentage, is a
member of the secret service of one
of the belligerent powers, and that he
is striking a fatal blow at his coun-
try's enemies by checking effectually
the expectation of meat from the
United States.
Paralyzes Industry.
With fourteen states under Quanar-
tine, the shipment of live stock over
the United States practically suspend
ed and stock yards and packing plants
lying idle while the work of fumiga-
ton is going on, the meat industry
now is paralyzed. Prior to the out
| break of the disease, cattle was being
shipped into Canada and was exported
from dominion points to Europe.
If Lamont is one of the score of
| hundreds of secret agents of the Eu-
| ropean powers in the United States.
| he and his confederates, according to
| the theory of the police, have attained
their first object.
| Lamont's appearance in Indiana,
polls, his activities in Richmond, and
his disappearance. all give credence
to the police theory.
Fears Exposure.
| Asked by a Palladium representa-
tive yesterday if he was the man ex-
posed by the indianapolis Star. La
mont said this referred to a South
Bend inspector. and at once turned
the conversation to the spread of the
hoof and mouth disease. He left the
office shortly afterward for the Glen
Miller stock yards. Upon his return
to the Palladium office, Lamont sus'
pected trouble, and before the police
who were expecting his return could
arrest him, Lamont disappeared.
No trace of him could be found at
the Wayne hotel where he stayed. All
outgoing interurban and steam cars
were watched. 1t developed today
that Lamont hired a rig which took
him to Chester and from there he
went to Webster where he boarded a
northbound c. & o. train.
Lamont threw the driver off guard
at Chester by saying he had made g
mistake and wanted to go to Webster
The police at Muncie and the trair
crew were notified. but Lamont left
the train at some little town north Of
Webster before the crew made the
search. or he effectively disguised
himself
Confederate Appears.
Coincident with the appearance o.
Lamont in Richmond came a newspa
per man named Smalley. who asked
the Palladium Tuesday afternoon fol
days work to make enough money
to buy ticket to indianapolis
Smalley was engaged. and he shortl,
afterward reported the presence O
Lamont in Richmond. and said HI
would turn in story on the alleged
impostor's work in Wayne county
Smalley wrote the story Wednesday
In the light of the exposure of La
mont in the Indianapolis Star ant
subsequent efforts of the Palladium
and the Indianapolis News to trace
LamOnt's antecedents, no credenc'
was placed in Smalleys story, and h
was kept busy at the Palladium Offic'
to prevent his leaving.
Police Question Him.
Smalley was turned over to the pc
lice yesterday afternoon, but gave
satisfactory account of his presence
in the city. He was released. Th
police were unable to learn on wha
train or interurban car Smalley lef
the city last night and the police dra
net was thrown over the city. bu
without results. The police now be
lieve Smalley was Lamont's confede,
ate.
Lamont has wonderful knowledg
of the hoof and mouth disease. an
he surprised DR.. Lee C.. Hoover. We,
erinarian, and DR.. Wagner, fedora
inspector at the Stole packing plant
with his insight into chemistry an
| SClenC11lC SuOJeCIS. his Clalm OF nav
ing a serum cure for the plague is no,
considered blind to hide his real OF
erations as purveyor Of germs of tn
hoof and mouth disease.
Spreads Fatal Germs.
The disease can be spread easily S
} vital are the germs that even tn
clothes of persons working in the Oh
, cago stock yards were burned. and tn
I
mers not to walk across farms wher
the disease has appeared.
, Lamont could have carried million
? of the germs with him and could hav
: released the germs at the stock yard
2 and farms he visited, II the police the
( ory of his being a secret service agen
is correct. His object in SO doin