The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-11-04

shoot us, why make them? Let MS
workingmen get together and tax |
this over There seems TO be some
thing very wrong Let's pus things |
right
Called Pro. German Move.
Naturally. many citizens held the
foregoing to be pro German propa
Eanda in its essence. Residents of |
Butte. who have had no little expert
Cnce with pro German activities in he
last few months, were on the watch |
for expressions of this character. and
the statements here quoted were turned |
over to the United States attorney with
the suggestion that he, as tho sole lc-
sponsiblc officer for the punishment Of
antt-American operators, do somcthing.l
about it,
Mr.. Wheeler declared his willingness
ana at orce made ready for what ne
declared would be 4 thorough irvesti-
CATION and punishment of the.authors
ana responsible parties to the publ
cation of the foregoing quoted state
,nents.
But who" he asked. lis responsible
Tor the Strike Bulletin"
Publisher Generally Known.
1t was general knowledge il il, said
that the publication is iSsucd--or was
until last weck--under tho direction Of
George II. Tompkins. Tompkins is a
member of the l. w. W. and he carries
MS card with him all the time. He
became affiliated with the organization
IN August, 1912 and since that time he
mas gradually grown into pronlinorce
In the membership.
And 80, 1t was understood That Mr..
wheeler would at once take some ac.
tion against Tomptins in til, WAY o.
punishment tor allowing such utter
ances to be published. and .. the same
tllle 10 serve as a sort of guarantee
against their repetition. This action. ~
1act. was Mr.. Wheeler's promise. and
IS MS manner OF taking il that ias
increased the storm of criticism which
mas been directed against him.
Announced Plans in Paper
1t was just q week later that his
lhetnod became public, and it was made
known IN story carrying a five col
nmn headline in the Butte Post of oc-
1ooer 2t. In this article, the United
states attorney made known to the
world Just what action he had decided
upon. This action, Mr. Wheeler was
quoted as saying, would take the form
OF grand jury investigation. In fact
II announced that subpocnas had been
issued for a number of members of
the Metal Mine Workers union. and
inc names of three of these men were
given as Tom Campbell the l. w. W
reader of the union; Dan Shcvlin
SainpbeliS right hand man" and 4
MAXWELL whose connection with the
organization was not disclosed
FROM these men. and certain others
not named, the district attorney in
1erred he would present to the grand
jury evidence against Tompkins whicl
would lead to his Indictment.
Source Of Story Certain
mat there is no doubt that the Post,
story Is authoritative as coming fra,
Mr.. Wheeler, is indicated by the stor,
Itself, in part of which the distric
attorney IS quoted. relative to tho fore
gong excerpt from the Bulletin as fol
lows:
Inc last paragraph OF the ar
ttie ana tho paragraph upon
WHICH our investigation will rest,
mas my hoarticst condemnation
SAID District Attorney Wheeler
we intend to bring in officials Of
the Metal Minc Workers until wo
have found who * responsible for
the printing ot this article here
When We find tho authority for
TINS article. We will begin Prose
cntion under tho espionage act
against him or thom,'
Gave Warming to Offender.
With some amusement, Tho critics O
Mr.. Wheeler yoint ont that tho off
cial indicated by this statement tina
he was planning TO bring in tho re
sponsible man tor the Ultcranco, an
made public his plans 50 shat tn
soou lolks OF western Montana nivr
kno" he finally had started some
5thlnS. And, at The ,;n}r time, the
declare, his action gave ample war;,
Ing to the offender to flee,
Naturally enough. Tompkins did II,
wait for the indictment to hc rs
turned
In the issue of tho Standard ON X,
vember I. there was a story with
tw0-column head on the front pss
announcing the voting of the indie
ment by the grand jury, and also r.
lating that Tonpkins had been plae,
under arrest by federal officers
Pocatello. Idaho. where he had gone
making his escape.
In other words, by making clear t
action he was planning to take he ga
opportunity to the man who has be
responsible for the seditious sta,
ments Of the Strike Bulletin to Gle
out-a chance which. it would see
he took without delay.
Why bid He Do Il?
Why Mr.. Wheeler thus made pub
all his plans in this matter he hi
self no doubt can best explain. Pr
sibly he desired to let the people
.,nrfhurnSf EnnN- II