Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1918-01-18
0ISLOYAL GOSSIP
SERIOUS OFFENSE
,..on Man Makes AFFECT Apology
%. circulating Story Injurious to
the Red Cross Work

these stories uo"h anu N '
nov originated nowhere, but are
nossed along on hearsay alone.
perhaps you have wondered what
con he done about it.
IN this connection it is refreshing
% no able to give an account of what
rooIlv was done recently in this
d,,ision. and the course to be pur-
sued should similar case come to
your own attention.
The proceedings are of such time
" importance that full account
taken from the Lewiston, Idaho,
Morning Tribune of December IS is
here printed;
III. H. VAIL, formerly of Clifford
and now residing in Charleston, was
Yesterday cited before the Nez Perez
county council of defense for disloyal
ntterances After a hearing the
council found the charge against
Wahl was sustained by the evidence
and the accused made and authorized
the publication Of the following apol-
ogy and pledge;
For making statements whose
tendency is to impede and obstruct
the military preparations of the Unit
ed States while at war and paTticu
larly to reflect upon the Red Cross,
make open and public apology, and
pledge my word of honor in the flu
ture to refrain from every act and
utterance that might have the effect
of impairing in any way the military
effectiveness of the United States or
obstructing any of the civilian or
carnations that are doing war work.
dated this 18th day of Deem
Der, 1917. Hardin NJ. VAIL.
"Wahl was cited upon complaint
made by citizens of Lenore. The
charge against him was that he had
at Lenore, while the United States
was at war, circulated a statement
that his wife had knit socks for the
Red Cross and being DESTROYS of
learning by whom they were received
she had placed her name and address
in the toe. Some time later she re
ceived a letter saying that these
socks had been sold to a man in
Alaska for $3.50. The obvious eff
feet of story of this kind would be
to discourage people from working
for or giving to the Red Cross.
Formal complaint was made last
week against Wahl and a citation
was issued by the council of defense
and served by the sheriff of Nez
Perez county. Before issuing the ci-
tation the council of defense took the
matter up with officers of the United
States department of justice and ar
ranged for a formal criminal COM
Plant TO be filed under the espion-
age act, if the circumstances war
ranted that course, and if accused re-
fused to appear and give adequate
explanations of his conduct.
Statement by VAIL
AT the hearing before the council
yesterday, Bruce Hersey and r. L..
Culp of Clifford testified positively
that VAIL had circulated the story
upon which the charge was founded.
Testifying on his own behalf the de-
PENDANT said that he had told a story
substantially the same as that which
other witnesses had related but that
ne had not mentioned his wife's name
IN connection with the matter nor
mad ne referred to the Red Cross. He
SAID mat he was of German eXtrac-
aloh but was a native-born citizen
ana loyal to the government. lie
Sulaltted that he and the members
OK his family had not subscribed for
Liberty Bonds nor contributed to the
"ed Cross or the army Y Nj. c., A..
LOT taken part in any of the otner
civilian war activities OF this country.
Judgement of Council
After consideration the council
entered judgment as follows:
In this case H. II. VAIL, the
council finds that the charge OF max
ing false and seditious statements
ealuculated to impede and obstruct
the military preparations of the Unit
Gu states is sustained by the evil
uehce. 1t is the judgment of the
council that unless a public apology
oe made and assurance given against
repetition of such conduct, the
matter shall be referred by the coun-
e'l 10 the proper officers of the de-
partment of justice, but that if such
"poiogy be made and such pledge be
gwen the council will take nc
'urther action of its own initiative.
In delivering the Judgment of
'he council, Chairman Randall said
AIR. Vail, YOU are charged with