Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1920-07-16
EMBLEM Of REDS
SHOWN To JURY
introduced as Evidence in Case
Against chicagoans.
TWENTY RADICALS ON TRIAL
Flag Found in Home of One of the
Defendants Presented by the Pros
ecution-Had Old Glory in
Rubbish.

Chicago, jury ia flaming red
flag. the avowed emblem of radical
violence, was held up before the jury
in the courtroom Of Judge Hebel,
where 20 members Of the communist
labor party are ON trial.
It was submitted as booty taken
from the home OF defendant, where
the Stars and Stripes had been wad-
ded up with rubbish on a closet floor.
The state presented it as evidence
against Edgar Owens of Moline. Ill.
AS the alleged radical trial began
its third day. Sergt. William A. Gay
nor, policeman assigned to the
states attorneys Office. was called to
the stand by the prosecution, which
is being conducted by Assistant States
Attorneys Barnhart and Heth and Spe-
cial Prosecutor Comerford.
Il was then that Attorney Heth UNI
rolled the red emblem, strip of cloth
about six by foIr feet in size.
He Had Seen 1t Before.
Have you ever seen this thing be-
fore Mr. Heth asked the witness.
Yes. Sergeant Gaynor answered.
where did you get that?' Mr.. Heth
demanded pointing to the red banner.
In the home of Mr.. Owens in Mo-
line M" Sergeant Gaynor responded.
Did you have any conversation with
Mr.. Owens at that time?" the attorney
continued
Yes sir" the police officer respond
ed.
"Wnl YOU state what that conversa-
ton VASE"
The attorneys for the defense con-
suited. Then the witness. was permit
ted TO go on.
The flag was neatly folded on top
Of the bookcase" he related Il
pulled it down with that thing, and
he said, That's our flag We used it
at one of our conventions.
sIr Heth paused moment before
he asked his next question.
Did you find anything else in Mr.
Owens house,"
~ o Tts9 ~ OloSSI
Yes. we found the American flag
wadded up on the floor of a closet
with lot of rubbish
MIR. Forrest. for the defense, pro-
tested against the inclusion of the
testimony into the evidence
Mr.. Heth replied for the state that
he believed the flag was convincing
evidence. not only against Mr. Owens
but against all 20 defendants. as it
indicated positive disloyalty against
American traditions and institutions
did you have any other conversa-
ton with Mr.. Owens after you found
the Stars and Stripes on the foor?"
Mr.. Heth demanded
Yes" Sergeant Gaynor answered.
II said What do you mean by treat
Ing our flag that wayY And Owens
answered. That's not my flag over
there's my flag. and he pointed to that
red flag. Then he said, That red flag
will be your flag when you understand
us people better
Lloyd "Reprimands" Heth.
In the corridor of the courtroom
during short intermission William
Bross Lloyd, wealthy Wmnetka resi-
dent and sergeant-at-arms of the state
branch of the communist labor party,
reprimanded MIR. Heth for not treating
the red flag with what he considered
sufficient dignity.
A tip of the RED banner owned by
the man who had allowed the Stars
and Stripes TO lie on the floor with
rubbisi. had brushed the floor as the
attorney posed for photographers.
''Be careful how YOU handle that
flag Lloyd admonished the attorney
Owens dead wife made thar and we
don't want you to wipe the ground
with It.