Document oM9Xbyo1RxE66zEJXm9EZqYo7

S3AIHDHV TVNOIIVN 3Hi iv aaonaoaasH U n ite d S tates D epartm ent o f C ommerce BU R EA U O F M INES CO -O PERATIVE C L IN IC Pic h e r , O klaho m a April 27, 1931 Dr. R. R. Sayers, Chief Surgeon, U. S. Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. C. Dear Doctor Sayers: Communist activities have reached an alarming state in Picher. I am sending herewith a sample of their literature that has been distributed in the district within the last 2U hours. I was informed by the Post Master, Mr. Durnil, this date that they have a strong organization in the field and that they expect May 1 to take some drastic action, exactly what has not been determined. The Post Master has in some detectives watching the situation and has asked the Area Coordinator at Dallas to have some more secret service men sent in immediately. He has advised his department that guards be placed over his buildings until after May 1, and suggested to me this morning that the same steps be taken with our place here. I am wiring you this date, asking for authority to take this step. It is my opinion that things are going to be very serious here within the next few days and probably will result in some bloodshed. I have been informed by the operators that at the secret meeting scheduled for tonight such loyal miners as they could rely upon would raise a distrubance and probably precipitate the trouble at this time. Mr. Durnil has promised me some more literature and if I get it I will send it to you. I would suggest that it would probably be advisable for you to forward this to the proper authorities, giving them information on what is liable to happen on May 1 so that steps can be taken in order to control the situation at this time. Yours respectfully, F. V. Meriwether, Surgeon in Charge.