The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-19

blockade of the packing plants and the
resumption OF business in them J. H.
Beck, R. A. Kirk, j. S. Bangs and L. A.
Carton spoke at the meeting for the
business interests involved, and Carl Tay-
Tor, attorney for the packers explained
the legal phases of the case, reading the
law as to what constitutes a state of
tunult and riot, and the power vested in
the executive.
Attorney General Donahower who was
summoned to the conference in the gov
ernors audience room, also went into the
legal questions involved He said that the
governor had the power under the con-
stttution and the law of the state TO call
out the military, but only after he had
been officially advised by the prouer of
icers that a state of tunult and riot ex-
lists and is beyond the control of the local
oincefS That the situation must be such
as 20 threaten life and property of citi-
zens- Until the executive department is
officially advised of the necessity for call
ing out the militia he cannot be consid-
cred so advised
There is no legal problem involved
Attorney General Donahower said 1.-THE
question is one wholly as to the facts
The governor will doubtless act when the
proper legal complaint is made by the
peace officers of the community"
Inc int1mation was that the sheriff of
Dakota county in merely teIephoning the
governor that the strikers had got beyond
his control sought to put the burden of
aclion on the governor, and still did not
want TO assume the responsibility of max
ing formal complaint to the executive
department of the state that a state of riot5
exists at the stock yards that he is not
able to queil :.
Late in the afternoon another delegation
called on the governor This time the
callers were South St PAM bl1sinecs r,,o,,
The party included Charles Haas. a com
mission man; Frank FIluet. another com
mission man; John FoIinggen a banker:
Fred Page, representing the Van Dusen
company, and William Carson. represent
ing Rogers & Rogers, stock dealers Their
interview with the governor continued for
nearly half an hour, and when completed
the visitors refused to talk with newspa-
per men.
Ask the governor" one of the men
said as the quintette left the capitol
Business Men Are Anxious
Gov. Van SAINT said that the South ST.
Paul men had called to lay the situation
before him as they saw it and as it affect
ed them as business men. They had said
that the strike thus far had resulted In
complete paralysis or business in the
town. The streets were crowded with
men and people would not come to town
with their produce. Great injury was be-
ing done the business interests of the town
and they hoped to see some action taken
which would end the strike
Did they ask that the militia be sent
to South st. PauI?2 the governor was
asked.
mo; they made no formal request for
the militia They simply came up to lay
the situation before me and to state facts
as they believed them for my information
and future guidance said the governor.
Robert JaInison, private secretary to the
governor, and W. J. Donahower, attorney
general visited the scene OF the trouble
yesterday afternoon. Securing an auto
mobile. the two state officials made a
trip to South ST. Paul
THE scene was very quiet, Donahower
said on the return. I'VE saw no signs
OF disorder There were three or four
men standing around on the railroad
tracks, but no effort was made to stop US
from going about freely. I guess, how
ever, the heavy line IS in the morning
when the men are expected to go to
work"
Mr.. Donahower later reported the re-
suit of his investigations to the governor
though it was denied that the trip had
been made for that purpose. Secretary
Jamison proceeded to his home in Mime
| apols without reporting to his chief
Adjt. Gen.-Libbey remained at the capt.
toll all day under orders from the gov
ernor not 10 absent himself from the
building. after the news came from the
sheriff that ne was unable to handle the
strikers. Ordinarily, the adjutant general
would have accompanied the First regi-
ment to camp at Lake City in the morn
ing, but he deferred his departure until
last evening
The First regiment. which includes a
number Of St Paul and Minneapolis COM
mic &c and half III
lance from the scene of the trouble, should
its services be desired.
Gov. Van SAINT avoided any extended
talk on the situation yesterday when all
the delegations had gone and he was
alone in his office.
There Is no change in the situation
he said, since Saturday night. 1 told
the business men who visited me and who
! urged immediate action on my part that
should not do anything until all other
means are exhausted There are the
courts at their disposal. There are plenty
of precedents for actions at law in such
cases and there are precedents for nv
refusal TO order out the military before
the packers have exhausted the means at
their disposal, and the local village and
county authorities have officially notified
me that they are unable to cope with a
situation that threatens life and property
under their jurisdiction.
Inere Is nothing 70 be gained by
hasty action in so grave matter as this
and do not propose to plunge into this
until the local authorities have declared
that they cannot cope with the situation.
am anxious to be fair and to do what is
best for all concerned, and I cannot see
any valid reason for action that viii in
fame the strikers and possibly lead to
serious resuIts-until more peaeeabIe eff
forts have been employed,
CA9rozr