The Gary American

DETROIT-(CNA)-A White woman who gave police information on the hiding place of one of the presses which the hooded Black Legion used to produce its anti-Negro fascist literature was found bound, gagged, and brutally beaten in her apartment last week.

The attack, described by the prosecutor's office as "undoubtedly the work of a Black Legion avenger," came a half hour after fifteen white men had been ordered held for trial on charges of conspiring to murder political leaders of the terrorists organization which sought to establish a fascist dictatorship in the United States under a program calling for the crushing of labor, Negro, Jewish and Catholic groups.

The latest victim of the Black Legion terror, Mrs Dorothy Guthrie, was taken to the Receiving Hospital in a serious condition. Mrs. Guthrie regained consciousness there and told William E. Dowling, assistant prosecutor, that she was seized by a man she did not see as she returned to her home after doing some shopping.

Mrs. Guthrie had told police two weeks ago that her home had been used for three years as a Black Legion meeting place, and that her husband had printed literature for the night riders, including their ritual and their pronouncements against "Communists, Negroes, Jews and Catholics" in the basement of the home. She said she had been compelled at pistol point to take the membership oath.

Arrests during the past week disclosed that members of the secret hooded order were supplied with U. S. government ammunition and that a number of police chiefs in northern cities, as well as members of their force, had taken out membership in the order.

Federal Probe Asked

Under pressure of labor and liberal groups, Detroit authorities have suspended several policemen and firemen for membership in the Legion.

Labor groups throughout the country are supporting the Conference for Protection of Civil Rights, which was recently formed to fight the hooded terror. The conference is demanding federal action to prevent local influences of the automobile companies, who used the Legion as a murderous anti-union tool from choking off exposures.