The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1917-08-09
breaches SERMON IN jail
Alderman and School Commissioner In,
tercede in His Behalf and Both May
Be Summoned Before Federal Of
ficials Before the Day Is over.

Ira V. Yingst, It's Brockett street,
recognized as the head of the Socialist
propaganda in Kenosha, is in the county
Jail awaiting action on the part of
federal officials. He was taken into
custody late Saturday afternoon by
Secretary Emil Meissner of the police
department and his arrest has stirred
up a hornet s nest among the Socia.
lists of the city. Yingst was ordered
taken into custody after a number of
affdavits had been submitted to the
government officials which charged him
with seditious talking.
Yingst was a candidate for the Board
of Education in the fourth ward at the
last election and at the last general
| election he was a candidate for the
Office of member of the assembly.
He was to have been one of the speak.
ers of the Socialist picnic at north
side park on Sunday.
1t is admitted that for some time the
| federal officials had been closely watch
ing Yingst land on Friday reports were
made to them that he had made certain
statements to men who were passengers
in his jitney to one of the west side
factories. These facts were brought to
| the federal officials in the form of af-
fidavits and Postmaster German ordered
the arrest of Yingst on Saturday,
When Yingst was approached by Meiss.
ner he demanded to know for what he
was being arrested. Later he admitted
that he had hauled the men in ques-
tion to the factory, but he did not adj
nit making any seditious statements
The arrest of Yingst was like a bomb
in the camp of the Socialists in Keno.
sha. Alderman George Fischer, who
some time ago had little run-in with
the federal officials, went to the police
Office and demanded to know by what
authority Yingst had been arrested
This morning Fischer himself was sum
moned to the post Office and ordered
to appear before the federal officials
who are expected to reach Kenosha
some time this afternoon. Martin
Schmidt, a member of the Board Of
Education, was another one of the men
who interceded for Yingst this morn
ing and Postmaster German ordered
Schmidt out of his office.
Postmaster German notified the fed
eral officials that there was a consid-
cradle demand for hearing for the
leader Of the Socialists and the officials
are expected to come to Kenosha either
this afternoon or Tuesday morning.
Yingst was not worrying over his
plight at the jail. On Sunday he
preached" to the prisoners until the
sheriff went in and put an end to the
sermon. He made no personal effort
to secure his release from custody and
none Of his friends were permitted to
see him after Sunday noon.
Local Socialists declared that they
were willing to aid him in any way
possible, but the federal agents have
held that attorneys are not "neces-
sary" at hearings held in cases
of this nature.
Yingst has been leader among the
Socialists of Kenosha for several
years and has been widely known in
the state organization.
"I am not in position to say what
will be done with this man," said
Postmaster German this morning
"Affidavits claiming that he has been
guilty of disloyal talk are ready for
the consideration of the federal Of
fcials and he will not be released I'M
til they give the order. These other
men are not in custody. do not know
what action the government may take
in their cases.