The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-30
CALL A SESSION?
That May Be Necessary To
Hold Down 1. w. W. Uprising.
Sentiment That the State Must
Take Care of Itself.

Kansas. as we'll as other states
must carry her own burden during
the war. In a lead editorial, the Kan
sas City Star has called upon Gov
ernor Capper as well as governors of
other states to- meet home defense
problems thru special legislative ses-
sions. Immediate relief thru the use
of federal troops is justifiable, the
Kansas City paper says, but neither
Kansas nor any other state can eX-
pect the government to meet local re-
sponsibilities during the war.
Lack of adequate legislation and no
available funds are the contributing
forces responsible for the governors
appeal to the war department this
week for troops to safeguard property
against l. w. W. leaders. One of the
first acts of congress will probably
provide for the creation of state
militia organizations. Then, the Star
declares. Kansas as well as Missouri
and other states must meet the
emergency thru special legislation.
The Star, which has given loyal sup
port TO much of the work of the pres
ent state administration, approves the
call for federal troops, but declares
Kansas must not dodge her duty and
responsibility as soon as an opportu-
nifty comes for a special legislative
session.
Under the caption Let States Pro-
tect Themselves the Star said:
In recommending the use of federal
troops for the protection of certain prop
erty in Kansas, Governor Capper prob
ably is acting upon reliable information
which he has received regarding the dan
ger to such property. 1t may be Well
anyway. to act upon the old adage that
IAN ounce of prevention is worth pound
of cure" anG be prepared for any emer-
gency
the Only excuse for the federal govern
ment furnishing troops to protect prop
erty in Kansas. or in any other state. is
because of the emergency created by the
war preparations. The fact that all the
state troops were called into the service
of the federal government before arrange
ments could be made for a home defense
army affords a good reason for the CO
operation of the government with the
states for little while, in the use Of
federal troops for state purposes
Congress failed to pass any measure
for raising home army to take the place
of the national guard when it was called
into service. Such enabling act Will
be needed before the state can organize
an effective military plan;
No doubt congress viii pass such an
enabling act early in the coming session.
After that. it will be up to the states to
take care of themselves. Special sessions
Of the legislatures will be necessary, and
Kansas and Missouri and the other states
must make up their minds that they VIII
have to equip their own state armies; The
equip its own army for service in France
Two weeks ago in the Star. John
Stearn. a Coffey county, Kansas, farmer,
suggested the solution of the problem
for home defense. 1t was for. the organi-
zation of military companies in the small
towns of the state, including farm com
munities, as well as in the cities. Every
man qualified to fight, but not qualified
for fighting in France, could be enlisted
in such, state army.~pIp this way every
community would have its own army Of
defense and could take care of itself
against the l. w. W. or any other treas
enable organization of German agents. In
addition each man physically fit for mill
tarv service would be receiving necessary
training for any eventuality of the war.
and such an organization would keep alive
the military zeal and spirit and maintain
the community loyalty that will be neces-
sary until the last day Of the war with
Germany.
must equip train help to organize and
officer 1t is nothing more than the fair
contribution of every state to the success
of the war