The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-27
Governor Asks Federal Troops
To Guard Property.
Reign of Terror Threatens In
dustries, Many Believe.
HOME GUARDS UNEQUIPPED
Many of Companies Do Not
Even Possess Guns.
Alarm in Chanute, Independ-
enee and Other Places.

Governor Capper, this afternoon,
appeaIed to Newton D. Baker, secre-
tarv of war, for federal troops to
guard oil refineries, pipe lines, pack
ing houses mills and elevators IN
Kansas. Danger of 1. w. W. trouble
in a number of localities prompted the
governors request. His telegram %
Secretary Baker followed receipt OF
a number of kilograms from Kansas
oil fields.
In many localities home guards are
being used to protect and safeguard
property. The government, however,
has been unable to provide arms for
the home guards and only in few
instances have arms been supplied
through local organizations. If the
governors request is met, federal
troops will be used to protect proper
ty in this state against l. w. w. vlo-
lence.
It became known in state house cir
cles today that l. w. w. agitators and
leaders have directed the mobilization
of hundreds of their members in Kan
saS. This state, a recent bulletin de-
clared, threatened less interference
and trouble than any of the central
western states. For this reason ''wob-
blies" were urged to move toward the
southern Kansas oil fields.
Oil Men Alarmed.
There is real fear and concern in
number of the counties in the oil
and Industrial districts of the state.
A half dozen kilograms to the COVER
nor today urged protection of oil
properties. These kilograms came
from the big producing companies,
pipe line owners and refiners. Oil
operators in the Chanute, Independ-
ence, Eldorado and Augusta fields, as
well as prominent oil men in Okla
homa urged action.
At this time there is no legal ma
chinery for mobilization of the home
guard troops for duty in various sec
tions of the state. Neither is there
money available for equipment and
arms The funds of the adjutant gem
erals office cannot be used for home
guard service and in counties where
home guards are detailed for service,
the expense is borne thru patriotic or
civic organizations instead of by the
state Militia organizations for Kan
saS have not been authorized by the
government and for this reason pro-
lection will be asked at the hands of
the war department
Recent troubles in Oklahoma and
other states have aroused the oil men,
as we'll as the millers and packers.
While no outbreak has occurred in
Kansas, there is genuine fear in many
localities and the governor was urged
to take action. Breaking up of I. w.
w. camps in Butler county last week
is DelleVeO Dy state OFFICIALS 10 nave
prevented an early demonstration
and probable violence and loss of
property
Home Guards Lack Equipment.
II have asked Secretary Baker to
detail federal troops for guard duty
at mills, elevators, refineries and pipe
lines in Kansas" said Governor Cap
per. THE service would be similar
to that undertaken by the government
last spring when troops were detailed
to watch bridges and industrial plants.
| The home guards are not armed or
| equipped and there is no money or
| legislation permitting the state to take
action except in the few cases where
| local service is being rendered"
If troops are authorized for guard
duty, they will probably be detailed
under the direction of Governor Cap
per and Charles S. Huffman, adiutant
general. They might then be directed
| to localities where the greatest dan
ger exists