The sun., 1919-10-08
15O REDS KISS FLAG
AT POINTS OF GUNS
After Ceremony in Public
Square of Weirton, w. Va,
Ill Are Deported.
SEVEN ARE SENT TO JAIL
Police Raid Headquarters and
Seize Half Ton of An
archistic Literature.
Rpectni DespnfcA 10 TIN SrN.


wEIRToN. w. Va, oct. 7.--Encircled
by squad of heavily armed deputy
Sherifrs, $50 men, said to be I. w. w.
exponents Of the red rule of anarchy
knelt down In the public square here
this afternoon herded together like sheep
and pressed their lips to the folds of the
Star Spangled Banner.
Before the gang stood a resolute man.
Warren Hill OF the Weirton police force
He commanded them to kiss the flag and
then ordered all but seven of the gans
to pack bag and baggage a~d depart
forthwith from the town.
The red flag. which these $50 men
were charged with waving freely. flies
no more in Weirton. The radicals are
gone-some to Pittsburg, others to Steu.
benville. Ohio, and still others to parts
unknown.
Seven of the radicals accused of being
rtngleaders and said TO be some of the
most prominent among the red leaders
are held in the Hancock county Jail al
New Cumberland, w. Va. awaiting ac.
ton Of the Federal authorities, which
may mean their deportation. In another
section OF Hancock county is a half ton
of literature, composed of banners cir
culars, cards and streamers. all printed
In red ink. all dec orate6 with the red
flag and all preaching the same red rule
The raid started at noon to-day when
Hill, aided by fifty picked men,
suddenly fell upon an old barn about a
quarter of mile south of this place, ar
rested the occupants and confscated the
literature
Among the papers and books confis-
Gated was the membership roll of the
organization. Armed with policemen
Hill went forth determined to stamp out
all red agitators I. w. Ws, Bolshe-
visits, anarchists and other radicals here
about. Within an hour as one deputy
after another brought in men the public
square assumed the aspect of prayer
meeting. One hundred and fifty
men were upon their knees under a giant
American flag and deputy sheriffs were
passing another flag among them COM
manding each man in turn to kiss it.
Meantime, the menacing guns OF the
squad of deputies encircling the crowd
never wavered an instant.
There were many protests. but all in
vain. Hill had given his order and II
must be carried out And 1t was carried
out to the letter.
Woodlawn, Pa, is said to have been
the original home of the men arrested
and it is reported that among those
forced to kiss the flag were many who.
cred in Woodlawn for refusing to pur-
chase Liberty bonds.
Policeman Hill. who was discharged
recently from the service, was the sec
ond largest man in the United States
Marines. He served eighteen months
overseas and was decorated at Chateau
Thierry. He is regarded as n most ef-
fic!ent policeman.
1t Is said the men sent out of town
and those put in jail were Finlanders
who are members of the Red Guard of
Finland. Among the literature seized
were post cards urging red Christmas
and a red New Year" Some rifles and
revolvers also were taken.
Tonight the Federal authorities were
preparing to step into the matter. as
1t is alleged the post cards were sent
through the United States mails. Mean
time there is general exodus of Firms
from Weirton.
Three hundred have already left. OF
the men who knelt and buried their
faces in Old Glory only eighty-five were
employees of the Weirton mill. All the
literature confiscated breaches the same
doctrine of Hoist the red flag and men,
tions a red Christmas and a red New
Year.