Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-05-28

plots to discourage registration, which
originated in pro-German and radical pac-
6st circles in Philadelphia, met with a
nrompt check today with the arrest OF
leaders in the propaganda in many cities,
In Philadelphia in Roanoke, Va, in Detroit
ond in other cities men distributing pamph-
let's and starting agitation to keep eligibles
between twenty-one and thirty-one years
old away from polling places on June
have been arrested by the police and De-
partment of Justice agents.
A plan to make every United States cit-
zen detective to ferret out the slackers
who fail to register is being worked out to-
day at the provost marshals office In
Washington.
The most important plot uncovered so far
is the scneme of mountaineers near Roam
oke They had built fort in the mountains,
and more than 800 had pledged themselves
TO resist with violence the selective service
registration, according TO Government
agents. They were also pledged to seize
the property of large landowners and to
kill revenue officers.
Five men have been arrested In Detroit.
They have been giving out huge handbHls
bearing the caption XIII the Draft ana
announcing a mass-meeting to further that
purpose to be held June 3. The prisoners
are Herman Eberly, Max Wadman, Philip
Ehavis, John Fuhier and Pane Parker.
PLANS FOR CONSPIRATORS
Some of the conspirators are pro-Ger-
man, while others are sentimentally opposed
TO war They have distributed literature
urging young men TO join religious sects
opposed to war and thus avoid drafting.
Other pamphlets issued by members of the
radical wing of the Socialist party, urge
all to make every effort to effect the re.
peal of the consCription law and TO sup
port all measures against war
Attorney General Gregory in Washing
ton, announced that the statutes pertinent
TO such activities already have been looked
up by officials of the Department of JUS
tice They are locked upon as reasonable
measures, pure and simple.
Mr.. Gregory was emphatic in asserting
that the sole primary effect of such propa-
ganda will be to aid and comfort the enemy.
He said that persons convicted of such con-
spiracy would face prison sentences of more
than six years.
Brigadier General Enoch II. Crowder
Provost Marshal General, called attention
this afternoon to the provision of the Sc
lective service law, which makes failure "a
register on June carry with it a years
Imprisonment. The fact that a man is not
entitled to vote does not excuse him from
registration" General Crowder said, white
and colored between the ages of twenty
and thirty years, inclusive, must register
on June s."
SEVERE PENALTIES FOR EVADERS
Announcements are being sent to sheriff:
of more than 5000 counties that it is the
duty of every citizen to give information OF
persons failing to register or registering
falsely for selective service. After the in
formation is in the hands of the Sheriff tn,
local authorities will do the rest. Severe
penalty is imposed for evasion of registra
ton.
As an added argument to the civic pCdc,
force the provost marshal general pointed
out that every nOnregstering person throws
the burden Of service upon another man
officials believe this alone will result in suf
fcent incentive to the people to turn vi
evaders
In some States Governors have aread!
ordered all police to stop men of militar.
age on the streets after registration da!
and demand to see their registration certlh
Gates.
Officials believe the severe penalty with
out alternative Of n fine will draw ever,
eligible man tc' the registration booths.
To nip the aspirations of wouldbe slack
ers different Government war agencies
are announcing their intention TO emplo!
no men Of CorsCripton age.
Since the seectlve service law went int
effect Washington has been overrun wit
men subject to service who have suddenl
developed great longing to work for tn
Government Many of them would just a
soon work for nothing, letting their parent
foot the bills for bodily upkeep
The Government, however, will have non
OF them in the Red Cross organization, foo
administration department and other newl
created agencies under the war regime.
Agents Of the Department Of Justice viii
take immediate action in the case of Samue
Orchow, Of Seventh and Mexican streets
who was arrested for distributing pam
phlets They assert that the data in tn
books directed against the vital in
tercsts of the United States.
II Is considered likely that President VIII
son himself may appeal to the country Il
an effort to nulify the propaganda
The one man taken into custody wa
arrested here yesterday distributing pam
phlets.
After being arraigned before Magistrat
Baker, he was held without bail to awai
the action of the Federal authorities