The Centralia Conspiracy

The Centralia Conspiracy by Ralph Chaplin is a booklet whose subtitle asks whether the matter was a crime or self-defense. The booklet describes itself as an honest effort to unravel the tangled mesh of circumstances that led up to the Armistice Day tragedy in Centralia, Washington. The booklet's writer counts among those who believe that the taking of human life is justifiable only in self-defense.

A section headed Fir and Spruce Trees says practically all high grade spruce comes from the district of the West coast, which abounds with tall fir trees. The booklet says that spruce was a war necessity and the lumber trust profiteered unmercifully on the government. George F. Russell, Secretary-Manager, says in a note to business men that support is needed for the movement for the defense of property and property rights. A speaker entrusts to those addressed the decision on the fate of ten human beings, whether they shall live or die or be shut away from their fellows for months or years.