Omaha daily bee., 1903-05-06
Executive Action Comes After Consultation
with Strike Leaders.
CHIEF DONAHUE TO COMMAND POLICE
Will Give Personsl Attention to Enforcing
the Mayors Order
SUGGESTION OF FEDERAL INJUNCTION
Reported Plan Of Employers - 90
seek Protection from United
states Court on Plea of In
terstate Commerce.


Mayors Proclamation.
MAYORS OFFICE. OMAHA, May 5,
l003-Mr. J. j. Donahue, Chief of Police
Dear Sir: In response to your favor OF.
this day / would say ] concur in the
suggestions you make. In view of the
excitement now existing / believe that
every precaution should be taken to
maintain peace and good order In the
city. While such excitement continues
/ believe IL to be an act OF Jusuhab.e
prudence TO keep all saloons OF the city
closed. l therefore order and direct you
city of Omaha to be closed tonight
promptly at Y O'Clock. and to keep the
same closed while the present excite
ment continues, and until otherwise
Ue' ' Franz E. MooREs. Mayor.
With the strike approaching great crises,
the mayor and chief Of police are preparing
heroic measures. The exciting demonstrd-
tions OF the past two days, which threaten
to eliminate in serious complications to-
day when the Business Mems association
hopes to put number Of nonunion team
sters to work and secure federal court in
functions and possibly troops to insure the
success OF their plans, the avowed deter
mination OF the strikers 10 win their fight
and the feeling that naturally will be
aroused over these proceedings-these
things, together with the general upheaval
in Omaha between labor snd capital, have
constrained the mayor and chief of police
to exercise all the powers at their COM
mand toward preventing serious results.
The above letter was In answer TO one be-
low IRON Chief Donahue and was trans
mitted at about o'clock yesterday after
noon. The chiefs letter follows:
Hon Frank e. Moores. Mayor and ex-
ohicio Chairman Board of Fire and Police
Commissoners-Dear Sir: / desire to call
your attention TO the serious aspect OF
and respectfully advise that you call
meeting of the Board of Fire and Police
Commissioners this evening and that the
I board issue an order closing all saloons
at II o'clock tonight to remain closed until
the strike Is ended or until the board con-
siders II safe to countermand such order.
1 would also advise that the drug stores
be cautioned to use unusual caution In
the sale of liquor for medicinal purposes.
such action on the part OF the board will,
- 4 believe meet-Nith general approval and
aid this department materially In maintain
ing order and protecting life and property.
J. J. DoNAHUE. Chief of Police
The mayors order was issued to the chief
at o'clock Tuesday and Immediately upon
its receipt the captains OF the force were
called to the Office Of the chief and received
instructions which were read at roll-call
last night for their enforcement. At the
time the order was presented to the chief
he was holding conference with the presi-
dents Of a number OF the unions involved in
the strike and others regarding the en-
forcement Of law and order during the
troubles which are looked for today. The
chief, after the conference, said that each
OF the oficers OF the several unions had
agreed with him to maintain order and
pledged themselves to do all In their power
TO restrain their men,
Chief DOnahue's Statement.
The chief said:
NJ 81 wish to Impress upon the people of
Y Omaha the necessity Of doing all in their
power to preserve order during the days
which threaten so much trouble, They
should do all In their power to avoid form.
ing crowds. and when any unusual event
occurs they should 90 away rather than
toward the scene; for where trouble exists
II is usually a disinterested spectator who
4 is killed or injured.
There are a large number Of hoboes and
law breakers who are ever looking fol
" scenes of trouble to ply their Illegal bust
ness. They are already coming to Omahs
and they will be here In larger numbers
during the week. The police force Of
Omaha is going to be actively engaged IL
the business districts OF the city assist
ing In the movement Of trafic and It will
be practically impossible for IT to give ade
quate protection to the residence part o.
town and these tramps and thieves will at
tempt TO operate IN those districts. Fol
tbts rosso, the neonla sbould taLa r,or,
t, =. y
than ordinary preeauuons 10 preserve thel
property
600 far "a tba ordsr cIosinV the aaIoor,
s ~ A., - s, - - $50
10 concerned IL VIII DO ehtorceu epsoIutely
without fear or favor. The officers OF tn
eitv can deal with sober men vhile no on,
can control men under the influence o
liquor. The mayor and every member o
the board of Fire and Police Commission
- =. .... - a., -,
eS are asreeu upon TINS OFuer. nav
consulted with each OF them and they al
stand toRether upon the subiect The nre
.t. :, ,,s. - ,.-. a, -.
serNhuoh Oi iie anu property ls the chie
end OF government and we must keep tn
saloons closed to secure that object
,,v =, - ,,-. -, N
VIII personally take eharse OF the po