Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-10-07
kERWIN FINDS NEGROES ACTED
 IN J. 5. NAMED
Investigation Develops Propa, gandist Represented Selves
 as Officials.

That the recent uprising of some
 of the negroes at Elaine and that
 vicinity was occasioned by false im-
 pressions gained from malicious prop
 aganda spread thru the medium of
 society whose real purpose was veil
 ed by a so-called "betterment of the
 race" purport, is the opinion of Judge
 E. J. KerWin, special agent of the
 department of justice who yesterday
 returned from visit to Elaine. Hell
 ena, McGehee and Winchester, where
 he went as a representative of the
 government to investigate the cir
 cumstances in regard to the use of
 the name of the United States in some of the propaganda of the
 society.
 The leaders of the society had giv-
 en the impression to the members of the society that they were representa-
 tives of the government, Judge Ker- win said, and more than that had used
 the name of the United States gov
 ernment in some of the propaganda.
 This he said, was the reason for the federal governments connection in the circumstances. Judge Kerwin re-
 turned yesterday with a large amount
 of matter, including the constitution and bylaws of the society, a certi- ficate used by the medical examiner, cards and other papers all of which will tend to show that the leaders of the society, and of the plot to rise against the white people, have made themselves liable to federal action.
 "The leaders of this society,"" he said, "had given the impression that they were in the employ of the gov ernment: The department of justice agents have made an investigation without prejudice, and have found that the agitators have been using the name of the United States govern ment among the negroes of Phillips county, and especially around Elaine, and of course at other points un- known at this time, by telling the colored people not to sell their cotton for less than 50 cents a pound, and if they could not get this, to hold it and the government would pay them 50 cents for it."
 It was in literature seized in Helena, Judge Kerwin said. of the Progressive Farmer and Household Union of America, that it was found they were not satisfied with printing and constitution and bylaws, but had the words Limited States" print ed at the top of the constitution, and bylaws, and that it was org ganiz- ed and had its headquarters at Win- chester, Ark Along with the eonsti- tuition and bylaws was their card. designated Incorporated Union." This was signed by the president, general attorney and concellor. The first and last, were located at Win chester. with headquarters designat- ed as Washington. D. c. Another card designated Identification Bond" and pertaining to what they were to pay per bale of cotton, was seized.
 While at Winchester, Judge Ker- win stated he raided the office of Robert L. Hill, negro who posed as Limited States and Foreign De- tective" and there found additional literature and propaganda. There also. he found literature which show ed the organization of an auxiliary to the Progressive Farmer and House. hold Union of America, known as merely the Farmers and Laborers Household Union of America, with all | the officers with headnuarters at Winchester, and some of them off, cers of the parent organization. Be- sides these, Judge Kerwin became in l possession of some letters which 1 showed the uprising at Elaine to have been planned before hand, and 1 also named some of the officers of the association.
 Considerable further information is expected from negro in. Win chester who was a member of the auxiliary society, and who was ex- pelled from the society for 99 years because he would not agree to rise against the white people. It is stated that at meeting some time prior to the uprising, this negro, with the chaplain of the society, who claimed they joined under the impression they were bettering themselves, arose in meeting and refused to take part in any further activities of the society when they were told the pur- pose of the society. They were then expelled for the period provided in the constitution. and further were threatened against divulging any of the secrets of the society.
 Every piece of literaturee which F as been found. Judge Kerwin said, was used but for the purpose of getting the negroes together, after which, the organizers, officers, and other agitators connected with the society, deliberately and maliciously told the members lies, and otherwise melted them to uprise against the white people.
 The people of Helena deserve much credit for the masterly manner in which they have handled the situa- tion, Judge Kerwin said, and he stat ed that in Helena, and even in Elaine, there seemed to be little excitement either among the. white people or the The greater portion of the negroes in Elaine, he said, had no part in the fighting, while at Helena, there was no trouble at all.