Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 228, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1920 — MINER SPREADS NET FOR “REDS" [ARTICLE]

MINER SPREADS NET FOR “REDS"

Attorney General Convinced Wall Street Bomb Was Planned by Radicals. OFFER $20,500 IN REWARDS Former Service Men and Others Join in Nation-Wide Hunt for Per- *■ sons Responsible for Explosion Which Killed 35. New York, Sept. 20.—Convinced that the explosion, which snuffed out the lives of 35 persons and injured nearly 300 others In Wall street, was deliberately planned by radicals, officials of the department of Justice, headed by Attorney General Palmer himself, spread a drag net over the country in efforts to trap Its originators. Spurred on by rewards aggregating $20,500. offered by the New York administration and an accident insurance company, for the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the tragedy, police, former service men and private citlsens lent their efforts to the federal agents in ferreting out clews. Department of justice officials are certain that the disaster was not the result of one person’s inspiration or eccentricity, but that Is was the premeditated and fiendish plot of radicals bent on defiance of law and organised government. William J. Flynn, head of the department of justice, was chief spokesman for this general opinion. Attorney General Palmer corroborated the statement.

Radical Literature Found.

Chief Flynn based his opinion on the finding of radical literature In postoffice boxes near the scene of the tragedy spon after it occurred. He pointed out a peculiar similarity between the nature of this literature and that found in connection with the terrorist plots in June, 1919. Similar expressions and similarly misspelled words characterised the literature found and in 1919, he said. One difference between the two, however, was that the literature found last year was signed "The Anarchistic Fighters,” while that found Friday was signed “American Anarchist Fighters.” “You can see. Chief Flynn remarked, “they have simply added •American’ to their title now.’ The circular read: “Remember, we will not tolerate any longer. Free the political prisoners or it will be sure death for all of you.” Very little could be done to trace the authors of this literature or to ascertain whether a general radlfal movement was contemplated until definite persons can be found who were responsible for. Thursday’s disaster, Chief Flynn said. _ Those who distributed the -literature he said, were careful not to send it through the malls, and were evidently afraid to pass it about the streets, so they concluded to stuff it into mall boxes and disappear before the explosion occurred. Seek Driver of Wagon. Primary importance In the_ day’s search was attached to finding the driver of the dilapidated rusty red wagon, the fragments of which were found near the crater of the terrific detonation. Officials believe apprehension of the authors of the tragedy virtually hinges on this discovery. Col. William Mead, chief clerk for J, p. Morgan & Co., whose offices suffered a large share of the property damage, declared the farrier who shod the horse that drew the death .wagon had been found and that he was reasonably sure the owner had been identified; * ’ * Many Maimed for Life. There are still about 150 Injured being cared for in hospitals, many of whom are said to be in a serious condition. Scores of those who wih recover will be maimed for life, it is said. Department of justice officials attached relatively little importance to the detention at Hamilton, Ont., of Edwin P. Fischer, who admitted to Canadian authorities having sent warnings of the disaster to several friends here. However, Attorney General Palmer said he would direct that Fischer be thoroughly examined ip the hope that, despite the belief that Fischer was mentally deranged, he might present valuable “leads." B also was expected that those who re- . celved Fischer’s warning missives ' would be questioned. Special guards still are kept around all government buildings here, the Morgan bank and the homes of numerous men prominent in the financial ' world. Attorney General Palmer said this same -precaution was in vogue throughout the country, to make sure of thwarting any possible radical movement of nation-wide scope.