The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-09
Stirring Story Of Situation
Confronting Our Boys
Powerfully Told.
THOUSAND NOT ABLE
TO HEAR WAR TALK
-
Theater Crowded to Doors
by Eager Audience of
Men and Women.

The time has come when man is
for the United States or against H."
Az Dan A. Reed. representative of
the L. S, food administration ham
mered those words home the great au-
dience which had listened intently for
nearly two hours to his powerful de-
scription of.the crisis which America
faces. sent back a roar OF approval
Reed held up his hand.
III II man who has lived under this
flag and enjoyed It's protection. now
dispa RACES II or refuses to do his bit
In defending II. for Gods sake let him
move under n flag he does like, or let
us silence him. even II we must take
him out and shoot him."
Rssolutisns Unanimously passsd.
The applause rose again to a tumult.
And five minutes later, the address
over. the 1000 people crowded Into tho
Nlssoula theater were adopting with
| out an opposing voice. resolutions call
ing for swift Justice, even to the ex-
tent OF u summary execution OF the
! death penalty" for every person who.
by act or word. seeks to discourage III
any measure the effectiveness of the
armed forces In the field, the enlist
ments at home. or the output of war
| industries"
The resolution was introduced by A.
N. Whitloek. dean Of the State Uni
versity law school, after a. l.. Stone.
the presiding officer. had asked for
"Missoula's answer to Mr. Reed II
was seconded from several part Of the
house and adopted unanimously.
| Thousand Turned Away.
More than a thousand people were
turned away from the theater, NO eager
was the city to hear Mr., Reeds first
hand story of conditions "over there" !"
Almost an hour before the time ap-
pointed for the address the theater was
filled to the very doors. Back on the
stage scenery was removed to afford
standing room. aud men and women
stood ut the back Of the house and out
into the lobby.
The 1000 people who won their way
Into the theater heard the most stir
ring. most convincing report of the
war which has yet been made to a
Missonla audience. Reed carried his
hearers across the Atlantic. over the
channel and into France. and then to
the battle front. In unsparing terms
he described the horrors which the
Hun has brought upon the world and
(which "onr army Of Kids" must fight.
He pictured in burning phrases the
devastation wrought In France. the
suffering which lies back Of the
trenches. the savage conditions Of the
war zone. the barbarities Of the enemy
| Showed Necessity Of Service.
There was nothing iurid about
Reeds speech. The man stood before
! the big audience and In simple, cffec.
tive language told the mothers and
fathers and neighbors of "our boys'
just what the American forces are go.
ing up against. He himself. n strong
two -fisted athlete. persOnified the fine
manhood Of that army, so that whef
ne spoke II was az II the army's voice
, were speaking.
D Reed left with his hearers an under
standing Of how far any service "ovel
e here" falls short Of what millions ol
D boys are doing "over there" He SPOKE
u tS ah HppsIi' IOT ShSiHE ana ElNlHG dHt
Y serving: and no one who heard hin
will ever be able TO shrk the easy
: service Of the army at home" withon
n feeling shame.
Chorus Opens Meeting.
The community chorus--that Is Il
say the audience--opened the meetinl
by singing America" Onward Chris
u tian Soldiers" and "The Battle Hymn
of the Republic" led by De Loss Smitl
y and accompanied by the Mlssoul
: band. Then A. l.. Stone. az presiden
o Of the Missoula Chamber Of Commerce
D. under whose auspices Mr.. Reed cam
; here. introduced the speaker.
! Mr.. Reed began by telling Of his ex
perience with college athletics of tn
'e sort Of men who make up America
'e army. lie then described the voyae
over seas. through the submarine zon
and described the situation Of II
r American forces.
At First want to tell you what
re thrilling spectacle 1t was for me ,
n look down a fine French highway AZ
- se6 thousands OF clean-cut, clear eys
yoilng Americans nassine alonU-