The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-08
This Plainly Indicated in Let
ters and Literature.
Burn Grain Stacks and Machin-
cry of the Farmers
ALLEGED LEADER IS IN JAIL
Harry MallOy Believed To
Know Inside Facts.
State Officials Hold Meeting To
Discuss Situation.

Reigns OF terror and destruction
are planned for the Kansas wheat belt
by the /. w. w, according to infor-
nation received today by l. T, Hussey,
state fire marshal. Information Sc
cured In the arrest of Harry Malloy at
Hays is believed to indicate that gen.
eral orders have been issued by l. w
W. leaders for the burning of grain,
stacks and farming machinery follow
ing the present harvest
Hussev has transmitted his informa-
ton to Governor Allen. The problem
before state and local officials was
discussed at a meeting in Hussey's Of
flee, attended by the governor and a
number Of deputy fire marshals and
investigators That the situation fac
ing wheat growers is serious was gem
orally admitted today in state circles
Every precaution is to be taken to
safe guard against a campaign of de-
struction- by agitatOrs.
MaIloy On Inside
Several days ago Harry Malloy was
arrested at Hays. Circulars and let
ters IN Malloy's possession showed
clearly that he was in possession of in
side Information from !. w. w. head
quarters. But the letter which is to-
day causing state concern is a positive
instruction from a high official OF the
organization.
Malloy was instructed to wait until
two weeks after the Kansas harvest
before starting the campaign which
Is expected TO put fear in the hearts of
the wheat growers While Malloy was
not directly and positively instructed
to apply the torch to wheat fields,
grain and farm machinery there Is
broad opportunity to read between the
lines.
Organizers are instructed to wait
until two weeks after the harvest be-
fore starting their big drive in Kan
sas. This instruction is interpreted to
mean that !. ". w. agents will wait
until a better opportunity comes to
fire stacks and grains. Today every
prccautiOl is being taken by Hussey
and Governor Allen to arrange for
safegua riding against night attacks
which might mean loss of hundreds Of
thousands Of dollars worth Of grain
and farm machinery.
Dangerous TO Start Now.
TT is naturally dangerous to at
tempt to start fires while thousands
OF men are working in the wheat
fields" Hussey said today. But a
campaign can be launched after the
harvest with greater safety to the men
who apply the match. We will use
every means at our disposal to protect
the farmers and have urged everyone
to be on the alert"
Malloy is now in Jail. A number OF
other men suspected or known to be
connected with the I. w. w. campaign
in Kansas have been arrested in wheat
growing counties. The campaign in
the state iG being conducted, it is be-
lieved. in accordance with the plan
worked out last spring. Fred Robert
son, United States district attorney
issued a warning sometime ago and
went before the special session of the
state legislature in an effort to secure
an emergency appropriation for state
cooperation with the federal govern
Inent. Since the issuance Of Robert
sons stat sment, John w. Crawford
state labor Commissioner, wrote Rob-
ertson to the effect that the I. W. w
was not at work in Kansas.
Fire Marshal Hussey was today
awaiting further returns from Stat
ford county. where two special depu.
ties are investigating recent fires ir
wheat fields. 1t is the belief of Stat
ford county officials that l. w. w
agents were responsible for the fire.
which destroyed numerous stacks and
large quantities of grain.