The Mena weekly star., 1918-06-20
CLEANING UP X SORE spoT.


 CLEANING UP < SORE SPOT.
 Almost since the beginning of the war it has been known that m un- healthy condition has been develop ing in the territory along the Okla homa line, both in Polk county and in Oklahoma.
 When the call came for young men to register for service year ago there developed there a sentiment against the registration and the draft. and this meant against the govern ment of the United States. People of radical natures took exceptions to the idea that in free country they should be forced to fight, and that any restrictions should be placed on the language they chose to use, fail- ing to understand that only thru proper regulations and restraint could freedom be maintained.
 1t is not probable, however, that this would have gone far enough to have been serious, had not organizers of secret order, known as the Work ing Class Union, started activities in the community, probably misleading some not intentionally disloyal.
 From all accounts this order is ab- solutely disloyal and un-American. It said to have for it's aim the overthrow of the government of our country, the assassination of officers who op- posed it, particularly in it's resistance to the draft.
 These workers seemed to find field ripe for sowing their poisonous doctrines, and with some of the older heads taking up and preaching it's tenets, it was not strange that few young men resisted the draft and became slackers. It was not strange that deserters should seek utilization, nor that vicious outlaws and moon sinners and bootleggers should ally themselves to the cause of those slackers, and that, inevitably, con- dition dangerous to good government and good citizenship should grow.
 And it had become common talk that in some Localities there were men who boastingly declared they were armed and ready to kill officers if they were interfered with, or if an effort was made to catch the slack CTS.
 It was to the credit of our officers they did try to catch the slackers, and it was no great surprise when an officer was shot by supposed slackers.
 And, when later, a number of stores were broken into at points along the K. c. s. railroad and all available guns ammunition, and some supplies, were stolen thersfrom, it was but the logic of events, as was the increase of trouble from illicit wsisky making and selling.
 It was about this time that the regular peace officers found them selves practically helpless to cope with the situation, and the forma- ton of Home Guard, under the di- rection of the Federal government. was taken up.
 Then came the raid that resulted in the death of Charles Kirkland, a martyr to the cause of righteousness and the cleanup was on. Home Guard organizations were formed in almost every community of size in the county, and on every side the very best citizens came forth and volunteered assistance.
 And then things began to happen.
 While this is being written the jail is full of men whose conduct, or bad associations, has brought them in- to trouble. It is probable there will be more in the tolls quickly.
 The old adage says "the mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceeding smaIlv And that is a pret- " good adage to keep before all per sons who, thru disloyal spirit, or merely desire to win notoriety by actions and talk that tread close to aisIoyaity.
 For a time it seemed that the law was slow in getting proper grasp sf the situation that threatened. but it seems the mills of the courts have gotten we'll started, and the result | will be quite satisfactory to the law abiding people Of Polk county. BACKING UP THE GOVERNMENT
 Next to dishonor war is the great est calamity that can befalI a na-l