Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-04
CHICAGO POSTOFFICE MAY BN
EoUIPPED WITH GATLINGs.
GENERAL MILES SUGGESTS IT.
WOULD BE A STRONG PROTECTION
AGAINST LAWLESS MOBS.
Philadelphia Mint Building Provided
With This Means Of Defense-
Chicago Labor Leaders Much
Interested In Gen. Miles,
Proposition.


has suggested to, the supervising architect
for the new Chicago postoffice building that
1t would be a wise precaution to make pro-
vision for mounting few gatiing guns
over the several approaches TO the new
structure. A report from Washington. where
the final plans for the superstructure are IN
course of preparation. is that nothing as yet
has been done toward carrying out the gen.
erals suggestion.
When the plans for the new government
building in Chicago first came up for coz
sideration year ago. General Miles was
one among the prominent officials who were
consulted in regard to the matter. He has
had some experience In handling strikers
and riotous mobs, and one of his hrSr
thoughts was that some precaution should
be taken to protect the building from being
sacked and destroyed in time Of great ex-
citement or local commotion- He then gave
it as his opinion that the most feasibls
means of accomplishing this end would be
to make an arrangement by which gatlins
guns could be trained upon the approaches
from commanding positions
At the time the suggestion was received
In 4 favorable manner. but II does not ap-
pear that it was acted upon Immediately In
the case OF the projected Chicago building
erection at Philadelphia. Q mint building.
and here the suggestion bore immediate
hut sd1s 81 sns reaan
to the plan. and ample towers were built
at each of the four corners. lined with boil
er iron. Into these. II necessary. squads
could be hastily thrown. and good guns
could repel most formidable crowd with
comparative safety.
In the case Of the Chicago building ie
even more favorable. Here II will be pos
sible to place Gatlings at each Of the coz
ners overlooking the approaches. and not
inh fhnn he Anr,r hn nre
even been necessary to make special prepA
raticr In the way Of towers. for the con-
strretion Of the building win be such that
tions for the Gatlings-
By this precaution 1t will be . matter OF
ease to protect the goyernment.s buiidins
could be trained within q short time from
, safe positions upon each Of the entrances
II would be a rash crowd that would at
tempt to 90 in the face Of them. few
skilled and determined men behind the
boiler iron could do greater execution than
a whole company Of regulars armed with
Local labor leaders were Interested in the
report Of what they called General Niles
latest lad" Secretary w. 7. Sherman.
"Generai ea Miles mus must aiS' be in sAa Strange
frame of mind. No sane man could con-
ceive a scheme SO utterly devoid Of COM
Nile e 'rD e
have given him some new ideas on CITY
Notifications do not care to discuss his
discussion Is unnecessary II Is safe TO say.
However, his request never Will be grant
ed"
n. J. Mccarthy. editor of the Union La
This Miles plan looks like studied
insult to Chicago. General Miles has
standing .grudge against our city. and he
has simply made suggestion that carries
with 1t the implied assertion that Chicago
should be literally under the guns. Of the
standing army to insure the public peace.
attention Of the chicago FederstIon On OF Of
not notice ,,, !. taken of General Niie. attitude to
Secretary Keliher. Of the Social Demscra-
General Miles scheme 1. Indicative Of
country must adopt to keep possession Of
a servant Of the plutocracy. HIS course In
the opposition Of the people il expected.
and 1t ts intended to meet that opposition
with force Of arms. II shows that the class
trouble and win be prepared to meet it,
Aside from this there Is no merit In the
plan. Il would involve large expenditure
beauty of the postofnce building I do not
believe the plan will be carried out"
Ray NJ. Goodwin. Of the national execu-
tive % board Dc. Of the Social Democracy Of
General Miles wishes to place before the
people an object lesson as to what they may
means Of protest against the rule Of oiu-
tocracy. 1t Is an Ill advised and iii tined
move on his part. II he wished to precipi-
invent or devise more eonvincinS s srsa- @
ment- In case Of revolution there would
be no need Of government protection Of pub
scheme is Suggestive. It viii serve to set
men to thinking"