Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-26
DEPUTY, too HOARSE
To PHONE, TOLD HIM
ANARCHY PREVAILED
Through Voice of Col. ]. w.
English, IT," He Declared
Their Lives Had Been
Threatened BY Italians
DEFENDS HIS ACTION
IN SENDING TROOPS

required at the Lookout Coal and Coke
mine for the impartial protection of life
and property under mandate of the state
constitution. He says that the informa-
ton on which he based his action came
over the telephone from John Mitchell,
whom he terms deputy sheriff, through
the voice of Col. James W. English, Jr,
at Chattanooga, the deputy sheriff being
too hoarse to talk. Governor Brown be-
heves that there was every evidence that
the Italian miners on the mountain were
in state of riot or anarchy. He denies
that the Italians were banished from
Georgia, saying they went to Chattanoo-
ga because they wanted to go there, after
Colonel English had withdrawn his war
rants against them on their promise to
leave the mine property and not go back.
The governor submits several afidavits
and exhibits, putting the affidavit OF
Sheriff Germany Gin which the sheriff
states there was no riot and no need for
the troops) last Of all. Governor Brown
says that the hypothetical question sub
mitted by the house Of representatives.
whether the sending Of the troops to
Lookout mountain Is to be considered a
precedent. is not relevant. and declines
to answer it
Following is the governors messages
State Of Georgia,
Executive Department.
Atlanta
July rs, 1910.
To the House Of Representatives:
have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt OF House Resolution No. 23S, in
curing Of the governor as to the neces-
sity, etc, OF his having sent troops in
to, Walker county on May rs, 1910.
From this resolution, quote the follow
ing:
Therefore, be It resolved by the
house of representatives, That his ex-
cellency the governor be and he is here
by requested to lay before the house at
his earliest convenience full statement
of all facts connected with said matter
and the reasons therefor, and the par
ticular law under which the action re-
ferred to was taken; the details of what
the action was; and all documentary
evidence by way Of letters, affidavits
or otherwise which he may have col
lected in reference to said matter.
"And to the end that the house may
be fully advised as to whether or not
the sending of said troops Is to be con-
sidered a precedent:
Therefore, be 1t further resolved,
That the governor be and he is hereby
requested to inform the house whether
or not the executive branch Of the gov
eminent OF this state considers 1t to be
within the power Of the executive TO call
out the active militia or any part there
of at the request or up on the Informs
ton Of private persons and without the
initiative of local authorities"
ak1n oil
would state that about o'clock, or
shortly thereafter, on the evening OF
May rs, received O telephone message
from Chattanooga. This was by Col. j.
w English, Jr., president Of the Look
out Mountain Coal and Coke company,
who stated to me that Mr.. John Mitchell,
deputy sheriff OF Walker county, being
too hoarse to talk over the telephone,
had requested him to communicate with
me in haste and to convey the informa-
ton that italian miners at the coal
mines at Durh am were in state or riot;
that they had threatened his life, and
that of one Of the mine foremen; that
these two had been compelled to leave the
mines, under threats Of death. He add
ed that there was much uneasiness
among the native miners and their fam
lilies, as the Italian workmen were
threatening to dynamite the mines and
the magazines, which contained the
companys supply Of powder and dyna-
mite. The deputy sheriff had Mr.. Eng
lish to urge me to send some troops at
once for the protection Of life and prop
erty.
asked Mr. English If the situation
was really so grave as to call TOR the
use of military. He replied that Deputy
Sheriff Mitchell insisted that only by
the use of the military could order ba
restored and maintained, and that he
deemed their presence imperative.
attempted at once to secure commu-
nication with Adjutant General Scott.
hut not knowing the telephone number
al the place to which he had recently
moved, I was not able to locate him un-
I'll more than an hour later.
In the meantime, deeming prompt ac-
ton necessary, I called Capt H. p.
Mikleham. commanding company e,
Fifth regiment infantry, national guard
of Georgia, at Lindale, his company being
the nearest command available for use.
secured him promptly, gave him the in
formation as it had been transmitted TO
me. and ordered him, in the absence or
later instructions from me or the adju-
tant general, to proceed to the Durham
mines by first train, and to see that the
laws were maintained. I ordered him to
report to the local authorities and Coop
crate with them, to exercise great discre-
ton, and to avoid the use Of force unless
conditions imperatively demanded it.
added that, as the rioters were italian
Immigrants the situation might be a del
icate one, and that he must exercise care
in every step he took He replied that
he would use all discretion possible, and
that force would not be resorted to un-
less conditions left no other recourse.
After a time, Adjutant General Scott
called me by telephone and explained TO
him the situation in full, and told him
to take charge of the matter, to communi-
cate with Captain Meikleham and give
such orders for handling the troops az
the conditions and the law required.
Shortly before midnight received from
Chattanooga another message from the
deputy sheriff. which like the first one.
was spoken over the wire by Colonel
English. In this message Deputy Shsr-
If Mitchell advised me that he and Col
onei English would go down to Chicka-
manga in an automobile before daybrsak
and meet the troops. The foregoing In q
recital of the facts as developed that
night.
As shown by tho report OF Captain
MekleSe-1 to Adjutant General Scott,
Continued on page xhxss