Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-25
Federal Agent Here.
J. H. McRoberts ...... Correspondent
II. G. Knickerbocker go. Distributor

Federal Agent Here.
Eleven citizens OF Mercer county
were called on the carpet Saturday by
Federal Agent Clyde Capron OF Peo-
ria, from the department OF justice,
for failing to sign loyalty cards and
for anti-war talk. Nine of those call
ed Saturday were men and one woman
was called for not signing card. All
ten were closely questioned by Mr..
Capron and ignorance OF the CARDS
was given by the majority as the rea-
son for not signing them. The peo-
pie. who were before the federal
Judge, as a rule took an offensive at
titude when first brought into the Of
fees of the county neighborhood COM
mittee, but nearly all changed their
opinions before leaving.
Three Aledo people were questioned
for refusing to sign the cards. w. T.
hospital, government inspector on the
new postoffice building, stated that the
card was not explained to him and
that he did not understand its pur-
pose. Because Of his position, with
relation to the government, it was
considered that he had an opportunity
to learn of the purpose OF the cards
and he was not given a card to sign.
Mrs. hospital was also called before
the representative OF the department
of Justice. She claimed that she did
not sympathize with the campaign and
stated that the money spent in this
work should be given to the Red
Cross. Mrs. hospital was not given
an opportunity to sign card Satur-
day, as she further said that she
would sign If she had to, and gave
the idea that she still was not in SYM
patty with the movement.
Mrs. Lavina Lewis was the third
person from this city who was called
up for examination. She appeared very
stubborn in the matter and was not
willing to listen to the purpose OF the
cards. Mrs. Lewis finally signed but
did not appear to do it willingly.
The other three men, who were
called before the agent, all protested
ignorance Of the purpose OF the cards
to them. They signed Saturday after
An explanation was given them OF the
purpose of the cards. The men are as
follows: William X. Mayhem of Ohio
Grove township, Dan Hoots of Ohio
Grove township, and Clarence Shaw
OF Suez township.
Five men were brought before the
federal representative for anti-war
talk. They all stated before they left
the neighborhood committee Offices
that they would discontinue such talk.
John r. Brown and his son, Frank
Brown, Of North Henderson, were
brought before the agent for state,
ment made to the Chicago Drovers'
Journal. and other talks. Frank
Brown was called in the first draft
but has not been sent to camp. Their
entire Duroc herd Of pure bred hogs
was sold On the Chicago market and
they refused to sell the hogs to neigh
bors for breeding stock. They also
have stated that they would put the
$50 acres OF $3.50 land in grass dur
ing the war. Before leaving the COM
mittee John Brown, owner of the land
stated that he would endeavor to rent
the land and see that 1t was cultivated
and crop raised.
T. J. Greenwood Of Suez township
had been making talks OF a socialistic
nature which were calculated to him
der the war work and he was brought
up Saturday. Greenwood endeavored
TO get out or appearing before the fed
eral agent, but was informed that be
could either appear here Saturday OF
90 to Peoria later.
A. W. Geddes of near Viola wal
called up for stating after he signed
his card that II was the first lie he had
ever signed his name to. Geddes re-
fused to sign when the cards were
first presented to him, but later went
and signed one. After he had writ
ten his signature he made the above
statement. He was questioned about
It. and denied that he had stated It