The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-06
Gov. RalstOn of Indiana Sum.
mons the State Troops
To Handle the Strike Situation
at the Capital.
TO PROCLAIM MARTIAL Law
Action Is Brought About by
RiOting in Streets
And the Request of a Commit
tee of Citizens.

Indianapolis, Nov. 6.@The entire
state militia has been ordered out by
Governor Ralston owing to the street.
car strike here. The governor also
announced he would declare martial
law. All Of the troops are expected
The governor said he regretted It
became necessary to call out troops
but the situation is critical and he
would not delay longer.
Men are being assaulted and
killed." said he. property is being
destroyed and there is rioting in the
streets which the city authorities have
duty to take this drastic action
The governor remained up all night
with Brig. Gen. VIM. J. Mckee and
other officers Of the National Guard
perfecting arrangements for trans
porting the militia companies to In
dianapolis and their disposition when
they reach the city. Whether the
the governor said had not been de-
termined. The Indiana National
Guard numbers about 1000. includ-
ing three battery companies and all
of these are expected here late today.
The governors decision was reach
ed after q conference with city on
cials, representatives of clubs and or
agreement on a peaceable means of
settling the strike. The rioting in
the streets Wednesday when the
street-car company tried to run a car
which was deserted by the strike
breakers gave the governor addi-
tional reason for his action.
After the large committee Of citi-
zens urged Gov. Ralston to call out
the militia preparations were adopted
to bring the troops here as quickly
as possible. The governor said this
morning the four companies of in
fantry and the battery here in In
dianapolis would not be called out
until other companies had arrived so
that there would be no question about
controlling the situation after troops
were once in the street. -
Ordered to Hurry. .~~
Troops in all parts Of the state re-
ceived, orders early today to hurry
to Indianapolis under heavy march
ing orders as rapidly as special trains
could bring them here. The first
troops were expected here shortly
after noon, but some of the militia
companies may not arrive until night
fall. It was expected that as many
as possible would be Quartered in the
local armories and the state house
lawn and that the overflow would be
encamped on the state-house lawn
and in the downtown parks.
The troops are bringing all Of their
equipment with them. President
Robert 1. Todd Of the street-car COM
pany, this morning, said no effort
would be made to start the cars until
the national guardsmen arrive. He
said that he was ready to start the
service as soon as the authorities were
sure they could protect the cars.
Thkere was no rioting last night or
early today.
The mass meeting of strikers plan
house lawn was attended by a large
crowd. Speeches were made by ]. ].
Thorpe, first vice president of the
Amalgamated Association Of Street
and Electric Railway Employees of
America; Cal Wyatt, organizer of the
American Federation of Labor; State
Senator Henry Harmon, Prosecutor
Frank Baker and M. L. Clawson. the
labor attorney. All the speakers urged
that there be no violence and that the
strikers should assist in preserving
law and order. When 1t was an
nounced that the militia would be here
today the crowd jeered.
Labor leaders, when they heard the
militia had been call out. protested
to Governor Ralston against his ac-
ton. John ]. Keegan, member of the
last legislature and at present holding
a position in the state auditors office,
told the governor he was going to or
ganize the strikers and meet the mill
tia at the trains.
M. L. Clawson. labor attorney, on
behalf Of the strikers filed a written
protest with the governor against the
states interfering in the strike. The
protest states that the police and
sheriff have not exhausted their pow
ers and that the state should not in
terfere until this is done.