New-York tribune., 1917-06-02
Federal Agents Watch
Professors at Columbia
For Anti-Draft Activity

W nc PUBIC attention WAS ioCuoScN
on the cases Of the persons already
under arrest on charges Of plotting to
block conScription. Federal agents
were busy yesterday working up case
against an anarchist of international
notoriety.
Tho extent also to which certain
members Of the Columbia University
faculty may be responsible for the at
tempt 10 block registration for con-
scription, for which three Columbia
students were arrested on thursday
also is being investigated. The au-
thorities have reasons for thinking that
in the preparation of the circular advls-
ing resistance to conscription the stu
dents have the advice and assistance
of one or more members of the teach
ing staff of the university.
These students. Owen Cattell, Charles
L. Phillips and Eleanor Wilson Parker
called for a hearing before United
States Commission Hitchcock, had
their cases put over until to-day bail
continuing at $1,000
Louis Kramer. Louis Sternberg Jo-
ceph Walker and Maurice Becker ar
rested at the Madison Square Garden
neace meeting for distributing clrcu-
lars of the character prepared oy the
Columbia students. we're also held by
Commissioner Hitchcock for hearing
to-day. bail being fixed at S5.oOO IN Ge-
fsult of which all went TO the Tombs;
Miss Jennie Deimer. with them charged
with conspiracy against the Unlted
states. was held in $500, which she
furnished.
Win Minutes Freedom
The appearance of the five before
United States Commissioner Htchcock
ended what was for them busy day
in the courts. They were hrst ar
raiqned in the Yorkville court before
Magistrate Ten Eyck, who held them IN
$500 Cor a hearing, after Lieutenant
James J. Finnan had filed an aindsVit
charging disorderly conduct. writ
of habeas corpus was sued out com
manding their presentment oeloie Jus,
tice Blur IN the Supreme Court AT
o'clock. By this writ, in which IL was
charged thev were illegally held, they
hoped 10 obtain their liberty.
They did obtain freedom for about
n minute. for as soon as the court Oh
motion Of Assistant District Attorney
DIVER. sustained the wit and ORDERED
their discharge from the CUSTODY ol
state officers, they were arrested ~
Federal officers and rushed across Elts
Hall park 10 the Federal buildlng'
- AsSistant United States District
Attorney Content arralgned I"e" vi
the conspiracy charge. ..
To consider these and other cases
tho Nav Federal grand jury, whlcn
ordinarily would have been dismissed
yesterday. will continue TO SIT IN
defnitelv. The June jury Will convene
on Monday. 1t is probable that the
Continued Jury will this morning hear
ev;dence in the cases of those persons
eiresdv under arrest. in which case
tbe hearings scheduled for to-day VIII
he made unnecessary by the ming OF
;Ndictments. The convention OF the
CoIlegiate Anti ti-Militaristic League oi
Nav 3 will also be looked into.
To Probe Anti-Draft League
Alexander Berkman's and Emma
Goldmans No-Conscrlption League Is
among other things which may take up
Somc AZ the grand jury's time. In a
circular WHICH has b'N4t "N'-N
tho mails In large numbers, Berkman
asks for money for the purposes OF
the league. In this circular IT Is
stated that the members of the league
arc pledged mot to register or 70 De
conscripted into killing" May lo IS
Given As the date when 5000 are sald
II have taken this pledge
The inquiry into the conduct OF
members of Columbia's teaching stan
centres about one professor: Others
arc suspected OF having at least en-
couraced the activities of the three
students arrested Thursday. Edward
A. Parker, father Of the young woman
under arrest, in a statement 10 the
Federal authorizes. declared that the
persons who should be under arrest
"are certain Columbia professors VINO
have victimized my daughter
Assistant District Attorney Content
is inclined 10 agree with this opinion.
Seek Cowardly Agitators
"The real criminals. the people that
we hope and expect to get, are not the
ignorant recent arrivals in this coun-
arv, nor the Young man or woman IN
our schools of the impressionist age,
said he Yesterday, but the mature
and crafty agitators who as agitators
pure and simple or in the moro sacred
position Of teachers, inspire these peo-
ple to do things they would not dare
do in the open themselves.
personally ! believe that the pro
fessed anarchist. who by his profes-
sion makes himself pariah, is more
to be respected and trusted than the
person who in the semi-parental post
tion Of the teacher breaches similar
doctrines"
Professor J. VI. Cattell. of Columbia,
father OF one OF the prisoners, indi-
Gated his intention yesterday Of stand
ing by his son. He called at the Dis
trict Attorney Office and denounced
the action Of the Federal officials as
foolish"
Take my advice suggested Mr..
Content. "snd do less worrying about
this Office and more about your son.
Your neglect won't affect US and your
attention may help your boy"
DR.. Nicholas Murray Butler, presi-
dent Of Columbia. announced yester-
day that unless Miss Parker is in the
meantime cleared Of the charge
against her, the degree which other
wise she would be awarded at the Bar
nsrd College commencement would be