Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-15
THREATENS LIFE
OF DRAFT PROBER
US. Agent Told to Lay Off
Fifth Ward In
vestigation
VOICE ON TELEPHONE
Unidentified Person Says Off
cial Will Get What
Eppley Cot
VOICE ON TELEPHONE

r. D. Clark, Department of Justice
agent, was notified today that he will
be murdered unless he drops his investi-
cations of alleged irregularities and
graft in connection with operation of
the army draft in the Fifth Ward
An unidentified man gave the notice
by telephone. using the secret wire into
the Department of Justice Office in the
Postoffice Building, the number of the
telephone being presumably known only
to the Department.
Clark simply laughed at the threat
and after telling the special Federal
Grand Jury of his latest discoveries,
went down into the Fifth Ward to con-
tinue his probing.
The special Federal Grand Jury to
investigate alleged draft irregularities
throughout the Federal judicial district
including Philadelphia, resumed its work
today after a recess since last Tuesday.
Continue Fifth Ward Probe
The Grand Jury devoted most of its
time today to examination into the al.
legged Irregularities in the Fifth Ward.
where Local Draft Board No. had
charge until its recent suspension by
President Wilson.
The Grand Jury will also investigate
the charges that District Appeal Board
No. failed to certify Grover Cleveland
Bergdoll and 213 other men as deserters
to the adjutant generals office, although
they had failed to appear, and, therefore,
should have been So certified
Lieutenant Colonel j. EasbyISmith.
Provost Marshal General Crowder's per-
sonal representative in the draft inquiry,
l.. H., ~, falyinp ho
Appeal Board No. 2 matter with the
President. the Lieutenant Colonel having
preferred not to wait for action here.
Clark, the Department of Justice
agent sat in the department office this
morning when the private wire telephone
rang. He answered.
'Is that you, Clark" asked a gruff
voice, which Clark did not recognize.
Yes" he answered. .,
Say, you better lay, off that Fifth
Ward stuff" said the voice evily.
What for? Who is this?' asked
Clark
Get What Eppley Got"
THAT'S all right who it is," came the
answer in an impatient and imperative
tone. You lay off if you know what's
good for you. We don't like your work
Cut it out, or you'll get what EppleI
got"
! The reference was to the killing OF
the late Acting Detective Eppley, W +.
was shot to death while trying to ST O.
! rioting in the primary in the Fifth Ware
last year.
Clark again asked who was talking
but the man hung up without answer
! ing.
Clark laughed when he told reporters
of the threat. IT'S ridiculous" he said
! 4 Il.
else would take my place. You can,
Frog Hollow the United States Govern
| ment."
United States District Attorney
| Francis Fisher Kane today said The
| charges against District Appeal Boart
| No. would be considered by the Grant
Jury.
"All the draft complaints will be thor
oughly investigated" he said, Including
those involving Appeal Board No 2. The
| investigation will be complete, even II
the Grand Jury has to remain in ses
| sion all summer"
The draft headquarters for Pennsyl
vania announced at Harrisburg toda,
| that the War Department had ordered
immediate revocation of the deferred
classification given Howard S. Baker
Philadelphia attorney, by Appea
| Board No g Baker lives in Local Dis
| trict No. 20 and was placed in Class
| as a laborer in necessary industry
! The War Department, learning he was
a lawyer, ordered him placed in Clas.
! 1, and he will be inducted as soon as
his number is reached