The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
GOVERNOR TRYING
 ID ENFORCE LAW
Meeting Is Held With Refer
 ence to Burning Tobacco
ITALY WANTS INDEMNITY
International Difficulties Have Arisen Over the Riot at Hopkinsvlle, as the Italian Government
 Lost Lot of Tobacco.

Frankfort, Ky, December 20.--The lobby of the Capitol hotel was crowded today with members of the antagonistic forces of the American Society of Equity and the American Tobacco company, who gath cred in anticipation of the meeting called by Governor Wilson. President Lebus of the American Society of Equity for the Kentucky branche and MT. R. K. Smith of the American Tobacco company. as the accredited representative of Pres ident James B. Duke, seemed to lead the respective forces and conferences were held by the members of the various tobacco manufacturers in charge of the respective plants of the American To- bacco and the branches of the American Society of Equity.
 Governor Wilson called the meeting to order and spoke on behalf of the com monwealth and outlined the plan of pro- cedure. He reviewed the outrages in Christian county and declared that the 2000, GOO people of the commonwealth, good and law abiding citizens could not be dominated by small number of unlaw- full people. For time the law might not be enforced, but that 1t would assert itself. That every member of the repre- sentatives of interests here today were lawful people, and that they would all vote for a resolution against disorder He said arson and other felonious crimes had been committed. but that they must cease. He represented the whole people and as such he had called thiy meeting in the interests of law. He pleaded for reason, for judgment and for calmness He said the tobacco buyers, the sellers and insurance men should appoint their leaders to speak. He said for fear some might not agree that he would act as chairman of the meeting and that H. R. Prewitt, insurance commissioner would act as secretary. He said each side would be heard
 Chief Justice O'Rear of the court of ap- peals at the conference this afternoon rights of the citizens, arguing for obedi- ence to the law, but urging fair treat ment for the raiser by the buyer.
 Governor Wilson presented the states interests in preserving the law and doing what could be done to bring about a so- lution in a peaceable way.
 Attorney Parker, for the legal depart ment of the American Tobacco company, and Hon. Claude Thomas, of the Burley branch of the Society of Equity. also spoke.
 Governor Willson read the following let ter from Elihu Root, secretary of state:
 sir, have the honor to enclose the translation of memorandum left at the department by the Italian amba ssa- dor stating that during a recent riot at Hopkinsyille, Ky, tobacco valued at about s15,000, which was the property of the Italian government, was destroyed.
 "The embassy said that the Italian gov ernment holds tobacco at other points named in the memorandum and expresses anxiety lest it may also be destroyed"
 The complaint will be referred to a committee which will take it up tomor- row.
 Italy Wants Reimbursement.
 Washington, December 20.-A claim for reparation will be made because of the damage suffered by the Italian govern ment in the destruction of one of the tobacco factories in Hopkinsville Ky, which was burned some time ago by night riders. The loss amounted to about $l5,- 0O0 It Is said that application for reim- bursement will be made with view to it's payment by the state, as the national government has no control and Is not d. rectly interested. ~ It appears, according to the best information obtainable, that the act was not because the Italian gov ernmen or Italian labor, but was de- velopment of the issue between the Amer