Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1918-01-29
COLONEL WALKER IS
AFTER PRO-CERMANS
Record OF Parkersburg Federal
Court Indicates This.

GU&Hl litutGdtCS tlHS.
AT the recent term of the U. S.
cburt at Parkersburg says the
Wheeling Register the most import
ant business vet before the court
was transacted. Besides the usual
number Of indictments for violations
81 the revenue, post Office and white
slave Jaws, there were returned nine
indictments against citizens Of this
district for violation of the Espion-
age act. an act passed by congress
last year to punish those who by
talk Of deed interfere with the oper-
aion and success Of the war. One of
these cases. that against Paul Bosco,
waa tried and the jury after hearing
the evidence and argument OF coun-
I'll returned q verdict in four min
Mrs. Bosco was native of Russia,
With pronounced German features;
had been circulating Socialistic pro
Daganda designed to interfere with
tho prosecution Of the war: had made
remarks against the nag and govern
ment bonds, and claimed the govern
ment was operated by and for the
benefit of plutocrats. Col. Stewart
w. walker in closing the case for
me government, made what was
termed BY lawyers and laymen pres
ent "the greatest and most effective
argument that ever had been heard
il the Federal court room
Bosco. when arraigned for sentence
defied the government and the court
H'hich promptly sentenced him to ten
years "A the Atlanta prison. Judge
Dayton IN constituting the Espionage
Act, held that words of mouth which
would tend to cause insurrection, re-
eellton or refusal or duty. or which
would tend to interfere with the sue.
cess Of our arms. would constitute
= violation Of this act. and Colonel
Walker has indicated that he intends
20 prosecute all such. and govern
meut agents are now secretly al
work all over the district running
down those who ara suspected OF be
ing violators.
No American citizen can now be
neutral; II he is not heart and SOU
with the government. he is against
Il; there can be no middle path, sa
tho Colonel "Pro-Germans in this
district viii not be tolerated as Ions
As am district attorney"
Another interesting case was thai
Of one. H. e, Kirchner. a wealthy
pr61German merchant Of Elizabeth
indicted for eyading the payment O
eI1ht cents war tax on transportation
from Elizabeth to Parkersburg. Thu
fare from Elizabeth to Parkersburs
Is dftydlve cents, but as there is M
tax on d fare under thirty-five cent
KoEchnef bought ticket at Eliza
b6th for halfway point for thirt.
cents, then paid cash fare of tween
~ nyo cents to Parkersburg He re
peAted the performance on the re
turn trip. He was promptly convict
"a. and was fined by Judge Dayton
ton dollars for each cent of tax eyad
cd ssnd the cost OF prosecution. Ker
cbaer was also indicted for viola
tson Of the Espionage Act, and hi
trial on this indictment win be he'll
at Parkersburg at an adjourne
term Of court to be begun on Febrt
ary II.
At the same term Teter, Stalnake
and other men from Bellngton, II
dfcted under the same act, win b
tried before Judge Woods OF the eli
cult court OF appeals. who viii sit i
Judge Dayton's place; the latte
havfng excused himself owing to th
sact that he and one Of the defens
axts are in litigation. In addition /
tl1e above cases. there was secure
"a Incictment against one OF III
Hsrsest manufacturers III the dsstri,
xkose name cannot be aivuigad. bs
II - 44l = .A.4,a. i 4ot .lX 1N.4 4. IN e Z !. 1917 W