The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-06-21
PARTISAN POLITICIANS DRIVE
THE WASHINGTON STATE CD.,.NGE
OUT OF WALLA WALLA COUNTY

without previous warning, gave the
officers and members of the Grange
limit of thirty minutes in which
to vacate the High School Building
in which the Grange meetings were
being held. This notice was ac-
companied by threat of ejectment
by force if the building were not
cleared by the end of that time,
and this threat was emphasized by
the presence of a body of about
seventy-five huskies, held in readi-
ness in the shadow of the building.
On vacating the building the Of
ficers of the Grange got into touch
with the Mayor of the city, who dis
claimed knowledge of the School
Boards action and assured us that
the invitation to the city had not
been revoked. We also were in
conference with the official repre-
sentative of the Council of National
Defense, who promised the commit
tee protection and aid in securing a
meeting place, but although we
waited patiently until noon of the
following day, we got no further
communication from him and were
later advised that he had left the
city.
On formal appeal by duly APP
pointed committee of the State
Grange, the Mayor of the city re-
fused to give the protection of the
city government if attempts were
made to hold meetings in any other
hall in the city, and the sheriff of
the county advised this committee
that he feared mob violence would
result if the Grange attempted to
hold meetings in either the city or
county of Walla Walla. He fur
Their informed US that "Home
Guard" armed with loaded Win
chester rifles added greatly to the
'anger Of the situation. We wired
he Governor of the State asking
for protection in holding our meet
ing, but received no reply.
AS loyal citizens pledged to give
their earnest, united support to you
as our President and Commander
in-Chief, and mindful Of your noble
appeal to all loyal citizens to aid
in maintaining the peace, we made
no further attempt to hold meet
ings in Walla Walla, or Wala Walla
County, and advised our members
to restrain their indignation at the
outrage and return peaceablv ="
their homes as early as possible.
Then we, the officers and executive
committee. with such members as
we needed for consultation, came to
this city to consider the proper steps
to be taken in this grave situation.
Our members, men and women,
after being ordered to vacate the
! High School building, retired singing
the National Anthem, and Mr.. Pres
dent, among these six hundred farm
ers and their wives, grown sons and
daughters, were, we believe, more
PEOPLE wearing service pins, more
people who were active members
of Councils of Defense, workers in
the Red Cross and other war &C
Invites than in any body of citizens
of the same size. Many of the
women were knitting for our boys
at the front as they retired from
the hall. Also among those ex-
PEELED members for disloyalty were
wives of officers and men on the
battle line in France.
The Washington State Grange is
one of the thirty-three state organ
izations constituting the National
Grange, with a total of million
members. 1t is in fraternal CO.
operation with other farm organ
izations throughout the nation ag-
gregating another million members,
and with the Labor organizations of
our state. By its every act it has
attempted to show its determination
to stand solidly behind you, Mr.
President, in prosecuting the war
to speedy and successful issue, and
we can only explain the action of
the Walla Walla authorities on the
ground that it is part of the Ger
man propaganda, or part of a
widespread political movement to
prevent, if possible, the capture or
control of government, local, state
or national, by any but the old BIZ
partisan reactionary rings.
That unworthy, and, in this war
time, disloyal, political motives, are
at the bottom of these prosecutions
of the farmers organizations, will
be shown. we positively believe, if
honestly investigated, and We most