The Tomahawk., 1917-08-16
MINNESOTA PUBLIC SAFETY CON-
MISSION ISSUES APPEAL TO
CITIZENS TO sTIFLE Sc
DITfoUS SENTIMENT.
PEACE OFFICERS CHARGED
TO CURB ALL OVERT ACTS
Assistance in SURPRISING Anti-Draft
Utterances and Law Violations In
Many Localities Is Asked BY
Board-Enforcemen Of
Law Insisted Upon.

Board-Enforcement OF
Law Insisted Upon.
St. Paul-The Minnesota Public
Safety commission has issued the fol-
lowing appeal to loyal citizens Of the
state:
"Be it remembered:
"Law enforcement stands upon the
same basis on which it has rested from
time immemorial among a free peo-
pie.
enforcement of law as it has ever
been is the duty Of the proper authori-
ties-the United States marshal, the
sheriff, the police.
1T is the duty of every citizen, as
it has always been, to aid and sus-
tain the officers who should enforce
the law.
1.-THE state cannot and ought not to
interfere in any community until the
resources Of it's own people are ex-
hausted, and their best efforts have
proved futile.
"The duty of the Public Safety COM
fail-because citizenship is feeble; or
local officials are wrong, whether from
Wilfulness or weakness; or because the
enemies of public order are stronger
than it's supporters; or because new
conditions are created out of military
exigency.
LET civic sense and official fidelity
IN onf0ro0ronnf nf
remains for the commission it's prop
or task of meeting new conditions cre-
ated by the war-a task that calls for
the peoples utmost strength.
Many Request Intervention.
MANY reports have come to the
commission in the last few days of
movements and meetings that threat
en- public order. Requests have come
to the commission almost every hour
for it's intervention. These reports
and requests relate to meetings where
seditiOn is uttered, or which give birth
to seditlous sentiment.
For actual sedition there is plain
remedy i'm the law. Wherever any
man violates the law of Minnesota
which >forbids encouragement of en-
listment, or the federal law which for
bids obstruction of the new United
States army-he should be arrested
forthwith and held to answer to the
proper court for his unlawful acts.
"The federal authorities are pre-
pared to act vigorously. 1t is recog-
nized, however, that the Department
~ 1,,o 1oo
the present stress of business to meet
all demands instantly. In many in
stances the sheriff will be called upon
to deal with these offenders under the
state law.
meetings which may result in dis
order or breach of peace fall under
the laws relating to unlawful assembly.
The sheriff and the police officers are
required to inform themselves of such
meetings and take such measures as
may be necessary to avert breach Of
the peace.
1.-THE Public Safety commission
looks to the county director in each
county to cooperate with the authori-
ties and to keep the commission in
formed Of the course Of events. The
county directors will have the support
of the organization under him and Of
all loyal citizens in sustaining the au-
thorities.
Loyalty Meetings Urged.
Fright public sentiment must also
be organized. Citizens who uphold the
government must not permit dissent
to run away with public opinion. 10y.
atty meetings must smother assem-.
blies of discomfort Through the
newspapers-loyal with very few ex-
ceptions-the cause Of the nation must
be set forth.
"Violation Of the law, obstruction
Of the government, hindrance to en-
listment and to federal duty cannot
be tolerated.
1T is recognized by the commission
that hard situations are not to be
smoothed away by a few easy words.
To bring all the people to sense OF
their obligations entails duty and sac
rifice in every community. This duty
must be shouldered by patriotic men
and women everywhere and the sacri.
flee must be made.
"The American people have not
lightly entered in this war and they
cannot lightly go through it,
Complete Plans for Taking Over Ships.
Washington, Aug. 8.-The shipping