Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-29
PLOT TO RESIST DRAFT :
DISCLOSED. IN TEXAS
Eleven Indictments of Persons Al
legged to Be Under German In
fuences Are Announced,

German influences to encourage re-
sistance to army registration and the
selective draft, uncovered in Texas by
a federal grand jury investigation, al
ready have resulted in eleven indict-
ments. Other arrests on the same
charge, made in various cities by agents
of the Department of Justice. appar-
emily are not SO closely linked with
German influence but are being inyesti-
gated thoroughly
In the Texas case. according to an
official announcement by the Depart
ment OF Justice, an organization was
formed some time ago, ostensibly for
the purpose Of cooperative buying. Its
members were required to take secret
oath, and soon after the enactment of
the army draft law. the official an
nouncement says, "a strong German in
huence succeeded in inducing the or
s ganization to turn its efforts to com,
batting conscrfption, and high-powered
rifles were obtained to irtimidate per-
sons subject to registration and the Of
ecials who will be appointed to per-
form the registration"
Conditions In Western Cities.
In some western cities there are evil
dences of an effort afoot to defeat the
registration, but the Department of
Justice. 1t was officially announced. is
fully prepared to deal with the Offend
ers under existing law and the new
espionage bill now nearing completion
in Congress. which imposes heavy PEN
altfes for such offenses.
Scattered over the country are sporadic
efforts to interfere with registration, but
officials here do not believe they are con-
nected. The Texas case, in which the
German influence is clearly established,
and the cases of two mountaineers in
southwestern Virginia are the most con-
spicuous instances.
The two Virginians, William Mccoy and
j. w. Phipps. both well known charac-
ters in the feud region, are in Jail at
Roanoke, and government agents say
they have complete evidence to show they
plotted organized resistance to the draft,
as well as a wholesale attack upon the
landed people OF the vicinity, whose prop
erty they intended to divide between
themselves.
Officials Watching Developments.
AS the day of registration draws near
the Department Of Justice and other
agencies Of the government are carefully
watching for evidences of resistance to
the law and are prepared to deal with
them promptly.
These arrests" said Attorney Cen
eral Gregory, in an official statement
under way, should be accepted by the
country generally as a warning against
interfering with the enforcement OF
the provisions of the new army law.
They merely demonstrate what the De-
every case where attempts are made to
hinder or discourage registration"
A section of the espionage bill. deal
ing with interference with army regis
tration, provides penalties of imprison-
ment for twenty years and $4,000 fine.
Injunction Proceedings Filed.
KANSAS CITY. Mo-. May 2s.-Injunc-
ton proceedings asking that city. coun-
ty and state officials be prevented from
enforcing the registration law in Kan
sas City were filed in the circuit court
here today in the name of Federal
League for Democratic Control.
A special federal grand jury, to meet
June s, was called today by Federal
Judge A. S. Van Valkenburgh. Francis
M. Wilson. United States district attor-
ney. in asking that the jury be called,
said that it was necessary to investi-
gate cases of persons advocating nom
compliance with the army draft regis
tration law.
Five Charged With Conspiracy.
CHICAGO. May 2s.-Three men and
two women are held today for In
vestigation on a charge of conspiracy
to defeat the CONSUMPTION law on
June 5, and other arrests, are expected
to follow shortly, according to Hinton
G. Clabaugh, chief investigator here
of the federal bureau of justice. The
names of those in custody were not
made public, but the federal agents
claimed that the leaders OF the alleged
conspiracy are under
arrest.
Mr.. Clabaugh said the alleged con-
spiracy of which he had been appraised
is not confined to Chicago, but extends
through the entire central district
over which he has control. He said
evidence of the alleged plot has been
found in portions of Wisconsin,, north
ern Illinois. Indiana, Ohio, Michigan
and Iowa, and that arrests would be
made in many parts of the district
between now and June s.