The sun., 1917-09-06
THOMPSON FACING
j. s. INVESTIGATION
Chicago Mayor Sinks Away
From Parade to Avoid
Public's Anger.
HIS "DOUBLE" ATTACKED
Security League Plans Huge
Patriotic Meeting to Offset
Peace Gathering.
HIS "DOUBLE' ATTACKED
special Despaich 10 THk SuN

special Despatck 10 The SuN
CHICAGO Sept. b.--The r deral De-
partment OF Justice Is ready to inyes-
tigate the ALLEGED seditious acts Of
Mayor Thompson. This was assured
to-day when various agencies seeking
that end held closed meetings to plan
procedure AGAINST the Mayor. The re-
cent anti-w8r meeting held with his
consent and recent interviews in which
he denounced the polio! OF the Govern
ment will form the basis Of the con-
templated action
\ demonstration of soldiers against
fifty automobile parties constituting
delegation OF the william Hale Thomp-
son Republican Cluh. bound for a county
fair and political rally at Kankakee, was
avoided by the Mayor
Thompson had warning that his
welcome along the route of sixty six
miles might be embarrassing and ne
was not IN line when the procession
started
Soldiers, however. mistook one of his
supporters Tor him and stripped a ban
ner giving the name Of the club from
the machine in which they thought he
was riding. Civilians Joined in the
demonstrations and other banners were
torn from machines.
The man who looked like the Mayor
was asked, What are you doing with
an American flag" There were Kisses.
catcalls cries of Stacker" and Kaiser"
Grrmnn Flag a GIFT.
boy at Thirty-third street, similarly
misled. tried 20 present the Mayor"
with German flag. hut the emblem
fell to the pavement
Preliminary arrangements were made
to-day by the general committee Of the
Chicago branch of the National Security
League To hold great mass meeting In
the loop district within the next week to
offset the effects of the peace meeting
held last sunday. An invitation will be
extended to E,lihu Root - deliver the
principal address at the meeting.
The committe. adopted resolutions at
luncheon held at the Union League
Club. Pronouncing the recent actions Of
Mayor Thompson seditious, several Of
the city's lawyers were set to work out
lining plans for bringing the Thompson
matter before the Federal authorities.
John s. Miller and Frank L. Shepard
who are members OF the committee. are
said to have expressed confidence that
the matter was one for the Government
to handle
q
branch of the league, sal that ne would
make formal complaint against the Re-
publican, recognized as the Mayors or
gan. on the ground that the paper has
published seditious matter in connection
with the Governments conduct Of the
war.
Three important developments came
to light to-day. Gov Lowden last night
held a private conference with the sub
League. which early in the day had
adopted resolution fenouncing the
Mayor a. unpatriotiC, and heartily in
dorsed the purposes Of the league.
Assurance was given members of the
subcommittee by the Chicago represen-
tatives Of the Federal Department Of
Justice that the league was working In
the right direction with its campaign
against the Mayor and that the results
would be made the basis Of an immediate
Federal investigation From Washing
ton came positive announcement that
the Dcpa rtment Of Justice was investi-
eating the recent utterances and activi-
ties OF Mavor Thompson and the attitude
OF the city administration paper the
Republican. The Mayors connection
with sundays peace meeting Is particu-
larlv under scrutiny.
Mr.. Merrick announced that several
organizations Of Chicagoans. many of
them former friends of the Mayor, were
prepared to join in .uoN IN mt to oust
the city executive from office by force OF
public opinion.
Samuel Insult chairman of the State
Council of Defence. and George NJ
Reynolds chairman of the Citizens War
Board. prepared to act to save Chicago
from the anti-American stigma placed on
its name bv the Mayors pro-,ierman
attitude.
To Crush seditiOu.
GOV. i.owden met the sub-committe,
shortly after its adoption of the resolu-
tion hitting at the Mayor While refus-
ing to comment directly on Thompson,
the Governor said he was determined to
prevent further seditious meetings in the
State of Illinois with troops If city or
town officials refuse to act.
Mr.. Merrick who was present at the
conference with Gov Lowden, refused
to deny report that the Illinois volun-
teer troops soon 10 be organized by the
Governor through the State Council OF
DeferGe would be used as "A state police
force 10 patrol Chicago If Mayor Thomp-
son refused to prevent further acts of
sedition.
George NJ Reynolds. speaking for the
Citizens War Board, said he was highly
in accord with the work performed by
the league, and for the present was con-
tent 10 allow il and the State Conucil OF
Defence to handle the situation. He de-
nounced as deplorable the events that
have taken place since the pacifist inva
sion of Chicago and the denunciation OF
the Government they were permitted to
express by permission of the Mayor.
Something must be done to preven,
recurrence OF such a meeting" said
Mr. Reynolds. For the present the
Citizens War Board will stand aside and
allow the State Council of Defence and
the Security League to act against fu-
| ture sedition."
| The Department of Justice officials
1 who talked to the subcommittee conpll.
mented the members and advised them
| how to proceed.
PERKINS TO BE NAMED.