New Britain herald., 1918-12-31
ANARCHY reign Of
TERROR IN PHILA.
ShTapnel Bombs Used to Blow Up
Three Different Houses
LAW AND ORDER DENOUNCED
Extra Guards Thrown Around Public
buildings to Prevent Further Out
SOciety--Onc Man Arrested.

Society-Onc Man Arrested.
Philadelphia, Dec. 31-Federal and
local authorities today were investi-
eating a series of bomb explosions
which wrecked the homes of Justice
Robert B. Won Moschzsker of the
state supreme court; Acting Superin-
tendent of Police Mills and Ernest T.
Trigg, president of the Philadelphia
chamber Of commerce late last night.
Although the force of the explosions
was so great that occupants of the
houses were hurled from their beds
and scores of windows in nearby
houses were shattered, no one was
seriously hurt. One man was arrest
ed
1t was at first reported that one or
the bombs had been set off at the
home of Judge James e. German of
the municipal court but it later de-
veloped that it was at the Trigg resi-
dence next door. The police, how
ever, said they were confident it was
meant for the Judge, who is seriously
ill with pneumonia. 1t is feared the
shock of the explosion may have a
serious effect upon his condition.
Houses In Different Sections.
The damaged houses are located in
widely separated sections of the city
and in each Instance shrapnel bombs
were used Local authorities ex-
pressed the belief that the men re-
sponsible for the explosions which
took place within half an hour of
each other came here from New
York. ..,-
Scattered off the street in front of
the wrecked houses were q number
law and order. One of them read:
War On Law and Order.
ITO the cXploiters-the Judges, po-
licemen, the priests and soldiers:
You, the handful of parasites who
have lived upon your brothers, who
have depended upon your brothers to
slave for you again.
1--WE have asked too many times
for tho right Of free speech and free
press given by the constitution. We
have asked for bread. The answer
by your things in uniform has been
anything but justice. Now we have
chosen other means; learned to use
other weapons instead of words.
Mans weapon is now dynamite. Sci
ence triumphed over the Torquemo.-
da's century. Anarchy will triumph
over the present, Torquemadas of
your century We have demanded the
freedom of all political prisoners, of
free press and free speech. You have
refused. We war against YOU"
Ono Man Is Arrested.
The man taken into custody gave
his name as John Lafferty. He de- |
MED any connection with the affair, |
but was held for further examination
today The police say he was seen to !
pick up many of the pamphlets.
Feeling that attempts would be |
plade to blow up other buildings spe- |
cial relays of police guarded the resi- !
~dences of United States Senator Pen
rose. Mayor Smith, District Attorney |
Rotan, lo&Sl and federal judges and |
other prominent citizens throughout |
the night. Extra guards were also |
thrown around federal and city build
ings
Not Personal AnimoSity.
Justice Won Moschzisker today ex-
pressed the belief that his home was
attacked simply because he is the |
highest court officer in Philadelphia. !
This bombing outrage, to my |
mind" said the justice, sit simply |
the work of misguided, hysterical per
sons affected by conditions of the |
times. l do not believe there was any |
personal animosity in the attempt Oh |
my house. SO far as I can recall, |
there has been no case before me in !
which a decision would have affected |
any of the class of persons who ap- |
paretly directed these efforts at |
frightfulness.
Bombs Contain High Explosives.
superintendent Mills today said he |
believed the bombs contained nitro |
gIycerine or It N r.
A large bundle of the circulars
strewn about the scenes of the explo-
sion was found early today. sSuper-
intendent Mills believes a meeting Of |
the plot leaders was held somewhere |
in the center of the city last night |
and about 10 O'Clock the conspirators
scattered to place the bombs He
thinks the bundle was thrown after
the blasts
House Entirely Wrecked
At Justice Won Moschzisker's home
Continued on Ninth Page) !