Detroit, May 25.
'Twelve unshaven and disheveled members of the "Black Legion"—the secret, semi-Fascist organization which has' terrorized communities in Michigan and other states by its summary trial and punishment of pereans whom it deemed un-American "stood mute in court to-day as they were arraigned on warrants charg~ ing them with the slaying of Mr. Charles A, Poole, whose bullet ridden body was found in a ditch near Dearborn Jast week.
Attorneys for the men pleaded not guilty in their behalf, and all defendants were held without bail for examination on Wednesday. Meanwhile, "John Doe" warrants were issued for twelve other members of the Legion who have not yet been arrested, Mr, George Eckhardt, former chiot of police at Pontiac, declared that one-third of the Pontiac police force were members of the Legion. He mentioned one prominent police official by name.
Captain Ira_Marmon, commandant of the State Police, ordered the most thorough Investigation of every suspicious "suicide" and other mysterier Aeaths in Michigan in the past thre vats, He said that his Inquiry into the operations of the Legion had disclosed "almost un~ believable" facts and declared that he had evidence to show that, 50 men were on the "execution list" of the organization. spite of the Legion's frightful oath, taken with revolver pressed gainst the side of the new member under the inflexible rule of death for betrayers of the Legion's secrets, police all over Michigan are secretly receiving reports from victims of the Legion's. vigilante policy. Those who have volunteered information. thave been closely guarded by police to avert possible reprisals by Legion member 'The Wayne County Prosecutor, Mr. Duncan C, McCrea, said to-day' that some of the suspects, replying to.a question as to whether they planned 8 dictatorship, replied, "If America to have a dictatorship, it should be formed by an organization ike furs instead of by the Pope."
The Prosecutor said that the leaders the movement were apparently considering establishment of a letatorship but that ihe had not established whether there was actually a concerted plan to seize control of the entire country.
The Michigan Atlorney-General, Mr. David Crowley, to-day ordered 3 state-wide grand jury investigation of the "Black Legion.
Simultanoously, officials intimate that the secret soclely was organized ona national basis and represented A distinct menace to democracy. par ticularly toward Catholics and Jews In the United States—United Press, Terrorism Extends to 15 States Detroit, May 27.
Announcing that he had asked for the ce-operation of Federal authori-los in exposing the activities of the lack Legion," the Wayne County District Attorney, Mr, Duncan MeCrea, said to-day that he possessed evidence that the Legion's terrorism hind extended to of least fifteen states Mr, Samuel Dickstein, Democratic Representative of New York, to-day introduced a resolution for the _appointment of a House committee of Seven members to investigate the activities of the Black Legion and similar un-American organizations Uniled Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.