The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-08
Former Roberts & Son En-
ploye Served as Registrar
June 5 in West End
MANY WITNESSES
GIVE TESTIMONY
OF HIS REMARKS
Hell of a Government That
Would Make Young Man
Go to Army Is One
Utterance

| Harry Chimney, FORMERLY
of the stationery department of Rob
erts & Son, who acted as n registrar
ON June 5, will be tried before the
federal court of this district tomorrow
on one of the most severe charges
possible at this time. the Indictment
which was returned by the federal
grand jury charging evasion of the
consumption laws.
The case has been in charge OF the
federal investigating agents here and
II. A. Peppermint, secretary of the
local exemption boards since last fall,
and the abatement is made that very
strong testimony is in the hands of
| the district attorney.
While before the grand jury several of
Chumleys business associates and ac-
quaintances gave testimony showing that
Chumley's attitude toward the govern
ment was one of antagonism. and that
his act was premeditated.
RATHER GO TO PEN
John H. Nixon, salesman of Roberts
& Son, testified that on June the fol-
flowing remarks were made during a con-
lversation: Chumley said: Nixon, what
do you think they will do with one who
fails to register" to which Nixon, ac-
cording to his testimony, replied: Il guess
they would put him in the pen." well,
I had rather go to the pen than regis
ter" stated Chumley. according to the
testimony.
James G. Smith testified that he walked
up to where Chumley was talking to Mr..
strickland, connected with the Graham
Paper company, in the lobby Of Roberts
& Son: Strickland remarked: 'Chumley
is registrar (Smith) remarked:
Why, Chumley, how is it that you are to
be registrar, when men 40 years old
only are eligible? Chumley replied: I
don't know, George Ward appointed me.
To the remark: Well, old man. it will
be soft for you. guess. You can reg
lister yourself Chumley replied that he
could not do this because he was selected
to serve in West End, while his home
was on the Southside. 1t will take me
two hours to cross town and register, "
I the witness said he stated.
Mr.. Smith told of another incident in
connection with the case. He said: II,
boys in Roberts & Son. were scanning
the extra editions Of the newspapers
looking for the red letter numbers in the
paper, when Chumley came upon us.
asked him what his number was and if
it had been drawn. Chumley replied in
an apparently befuddled manner: don't
Just remember my number, but it was
way down on the list.
| KNOWS HE is SOCIALIST
1T know he is a socialist" said Tom
Anderson Of Roberts & Son in his testi-
|mony. Seth Woods knows that he did
this purposely. Seth Woods works at 1872
Third avenue. Chumley told Woods that
lif he could get 200 men to refuse to reg
lister he would test the conscript law.
Chumley told me while at the registra-
ltion office that he did not blame the
people for not registering, as it is against
the constitution of the United States, and
that Watson was right, using some WORD
which think was damn.
Seth Woods said in his testimony that
lChumley said to him upon one occasion:
woods, if 4 could get more men to stick
with me, I would test this CONSUMPTION
law. I am not in favor of this war at
all, and don't want to fight
|
gomery Stationery company stated that
he had never heard Chumley make any
remark. other than antagonistic to the
government
Testimony was also given to show
that the defendant did not deny that
he did not register. He is said to have
told this witness at the time that ne
thought his services as registrar ex-
empted him.
nv r K
on the following statement was made:
ssWhen Lamar Moffitt. boy who
worked in our store, volunteered.
lChumley said that it was a hell OF a
government that would make young
imam go to the army" He also stated
that Chumley said once that he had
rather go to jail than register.
! BROTHER IN I. w. w.
1t is alleged in the testimony before
the grand jury that Chumley has a
brother, L. S. Chumiey who lives IN
Chicago. and is actively engaged in
the l. W. w. organization. In let
ter offered in the evidence. which came
from this source, it is stated that L. $.
Chumley is active in this work, con-
tributor to the Defense News Bulle-
tin" and a cartoonist of mo mean
ability"
Another brother of the defendant
works, or did work. for the Underwood
Typewriter company of this city, ac-
Icording to the testimony, and 1t is
stated that when an examination OF
Ibis desk was made q November "a
COPY of the Defense News Bulletin"
was found, containing one signed arr
lticle by l.. S. Chumley and another by
Willetta Chumley. supposedly the wife
OF l.. s. Chmley, and the sister-in-law
of Harry Chumley.
Harry Chumley has not been con-
Injected with Roberts & Son since Feb
lruary 28. Robert w. Ewing, president
of the company. said last night. "Har-
ry Chumley has not been at Roberts
& Son this month. having been pre-
viously released. and his place filled
by the appointment of G. A. Strocker.
as manager of the stationery depart
ment."
|