The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-31

asked to rent it for the evening. They
said they were going to talk about the
high cost of living. 1 let them have
such extremes. l wish to emphasize
the fact that Unitarians had nothing
to do with the affair"
State DisoWns Agitators.
Kansas, thru Fred Robertson, its
federal district attorney, today dis
owned the handful of disloyal, mis-
guided, benighted persons who seem
willing to put stain on the states
fair name" by opposing CONSUMPTION
and the nations entrance into the war.
simultaneously, Robertson, aided by
a corps of government agents, began
statewide crusade against socialist:c
anti-conscription radicals. An investi
cation, reaching from Kansas City TO
the extreme western part of the state
/ in Rawlins county, is under way un-
der the district attorneys personal
supervision
The investigation, Robertson an
nounced, is being made in view nf
prosecution of all those fostering the
Robertson arrived in Topeka We'd
nesday afternoon. While veterans Of
the Civil war, active military units and
hundreds of patriotic civilians united
in Memorial day demonstration on
Kansas avenue, lie and a half dozen
other federal officials went into con-
ference in the United States marshal's
office.
To Make Arrests.
Evidence against Topeka conspira-
tors that has IN the last week been
gathered by federal agents was laid
before him. The secret service men
were instructed to more tightly draw
the net among those leading in the
meeting at the Unitarian church and
similar meetings.
We gathered this additional
evidence" said Robertson, IN order to
be sure only the guilty men and wom-
en- are arrested.
Robertson. in disowning the social
istic radicals in the name of Kansas,
issued the following formal statement:
Robcrtson's Statement.
The Kansas people must not be
judged in this matter by the very
small handful of disloyaL misguided,
benighted persons who seem willing
to put stain on her fair rame.
"They will fail in their endeavors.
This country does not contain two
million people anywhere more pat
'riotic and loyal than the sons and
daughter of Kansas.
Since war was declared, 1 have
been constantly in touch with every
community in our state and therefore
am not indulging in any idle talk. The
loyalty OF Kansas is a gratifying real
ity.
These persons who are trying TO
traduce our beloved state will regret
it.
IF they do not come to their senses
outside of prison they may get Il
chance to think it over on the inside"
No partlality, according to Robert
son, will be shown in the prosecution
of the altl-conscription radicals. The
district attorney made that statement
a few minutes after arriving in To-
peka Wedr esday.
He was told about a dispatch in
Topeka paper from Washington quot
ing Joseph Bristow, chairman of the
public utilities commission of Kansas,
as follows:
The president, only family for war
before the election, became an ardent
champion afterwards. The mass of
people in all sections are against it
They have been plunged into 1t
against their will and when the full
weight of the extra ordinary burden
of taxation falls upon them, as newt
ably 1T must, the political upheaval
that will sweep the nation will stag
ger and astound US.
In Kansas the people do not be-
heve the conditions for the 'emer-
gency' justifies the imposing of taxes
in such gigantic proportions as con-
gress has done. They do not believe
CONSUMPTION necessary"
Warming to Bristow.
WI DllSlOW ndQ better go SLOW,
said Robertson. Another step is liza
BILE tc get him in trouble. We will
show no Partially in this matter"
Evidence gathered against Topeka
radicals is sufficient. it was demon
strated Wednesday, to put them on
the run. They are getting cod feet.
Ike Gilberg. Socialist leader here,
wednesday afternoon denied that he
had anything 10 do with the meeting
Sunday al the Unitarian church. Gov
eminent agents produced a circular
however, as evidence against Gilberg.
1t advertised the meeting
The circular, according to govern
ment evidence, was ordered and paid
for at the Shawnee Chief printing Of
flee in North Topeka by Gilberg to
the extent of 1000 copies
paragraph in the circular reads:
will discuss CONSUMPTION and mill
tarism. Shall we fear to protest
against any despotic act imposed upon
us by national legislation. Every lady
invited"
There is Socialistic trouble, accord
ing to Robertson. brewing in Rawlins
county where there is a big settlement
of Socialistic radicals. Considerable
propaganda has been circulated
against the conscription act. In an
issue Of the Mcdonald section of the
Citizen Patriot. newspaper printed
tisement signed by NJ. L. Phillips. a
farmer living near Mcdonald, appears
ITO All Voters Since rhe selective
draft bill recently enacted is a direct
violation of the thirteenth amendment
to the constitution of the United
States, we call upon all persons who
believe that the constitution of the