The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-06-09
Recent Meeting in Unitarian
Church at Topeka Causes In
dignatiOn in State.
VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAWS?
United States Authorities Are Inves-
tieating the Case and Prosecu-
ton Of Leaders May Follow.

ing neId recently at the Unitarian
church in Topeka, has aroused the
indignation of Kansas. The laws of
the state do not cover this form of
treason, or the attorney general of the
state would have been in action before
noon the next day.
Kansas has been taking pride in the
fact that no such demonstrations
against the government could occur
within the state, and the temptation
to point the finger of scorn at other
states with that kind of citizens was
very strong. Now Kansas has its
own troubles with the DIRECTORS, al
though Kansas does not use such a
mild term to describe them.
The state university through Chan
cellor Strong has cleared itself of any
connection with the Topeka meeting.
The report that a K. U. professor was
one of the speakers was denied by
Doctor Strong over the long distance
telephone today.
The speaker in question was George
W. Kleighege, who was graduated
from K. U. in 1911 and afterward was
said to have taught school in Mankato.
Kleighege is a Socialist and lives in
Lawrence
Notice has been served that the
Topeka incident has not been over
looked. The United States authorities
in Kansas already are investigating
the case, and every intolerance
against the draft in the way of adj
Vising eligible men not to register
June 5, is being reported for prosecu-
ton. 1t is the opinion of the state
officials that the meeting was a plain
violation of the federal laws, and that
everyone participating in such meet
ings is subject to prosecution.
Principally, the object of the meet
ing appeared to be to foster a con-
certed movement among young men of
the draft ages to refuse to register
June 5. 1t was attended mostly by
women, with sprinkling of men, few
Of whom were young enough to be
affected by the draft law. The
speeches were all along the same line
"a TRADE against the draft as a
slavery measure, boasts that prison
or Jail held no terrors for the "con-
scientious DIRECTORS" and arguments
as to the uncOnstitutionality of the
law.
Druggist AssauIted.-R c. Mosier,
druggist at Preston, in the eastern |
part Of Pratt county, was assaulted in |
his store by three unidentified men, |
Mosier is in a critical condition |
Sheriff Judkins and posses with blood |
hounds searched the county for the |
culprits.
kansan Mysterious!y SIain.-Paul |
Ubert, 40 years old, farmer patching
with his brother-in-law, Mat Franks, |
was mysteriousIy shot and killed at
their ranchhouse near Oakley recent
1y. Franks is held for investigation.
x x 4
Work on Roads.-Eleven prisoners
IN the Atchison county Jail for viola
ton Of the bone dry" law are work
ing on county roads By virtue of the
1917 road law, county prisoners may
be worked on roads at the order of
the county commissioners, and the
Atchison commissioners were not slow
about taking advantage of the author
ity
Morrill, Wins $1,000 Prize.-The best
town in Kansas to bring up a family
in is Morrill,, and that city will receive
a $1,000 prize because of that fact, it
was announced there recently The in
formation came in a telegram from
Professor McKeever OF the University
of Kansas, head of the committee
chosen to make the selection. The
prize was offered, in connection with
the child welfare work, to cities of the
third class. Morrill, is planning a cele-
bration in honor of the distinction
which has come to it.
X X x
Eagles Close Session.-At the clos
ing session Of the Kansas state aerie
Of Fraternal Order of Eagles these
officers were elected: Charles W.
Moore, Pittsburg. president; Anthony
Neary, Frontenac, vice-president; W.
H. Smith, Atchison. secretary; Chas.
Perry, Mulberry, treasurer; J G.. Koch
Ter, Fleetwood, chaplain: D. P. Benelli,
FTontenac. conductor; L. G. Lee, Fort
Scott, inside guardian; J. ". Richard
son, Arma, outside guardian; DIR. H.
A. Browne, Galena, trustee. Selection
OF the 1913 convention city was left
70 the president and trustees.
x
WInona Has Municipal FIaq-Ths
first municipal flag in Western Kan
sas was raised at Winona recently.
Funds for the purchase of a 75-foot
pole and q 14-fOOt flag were raised by
popular subscription.
x 4 X
Join Engineer observation-disclosures
Ball, foreman of a Missouri Pacific
wrecking crew at Atchison; and
Thomas Garvey., Missouri Pacific
fireman, have made application to join
the new engineer regiments Of rail-
road men to be sent to France at an
early date.
4 X x
No Farmers for jury.-Believing ev-
cry available man in Labette county
Is needed in the food drive, Elmer c.
Clark, district judge. has instructed
the sheriff to notify all the jurors
drawn for the June term OF court that
they need not report for duty,