New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-03
Lowden Declares
Pacifsts Plan
Anti-Draft Riots
Governor Explains Order
for Troops to Chicago;
Fears Sinister Motive

SPRINGFIELD, H., Sept. State
troops were dispatched from Spring
field TO Chicago late to-day by Cover
nor Frank d. Lowden to dispense the
meeting there of the Peoples Council
of America, after he was informed that
the pacitist delegates had assembled in
the West End Auditorium, under po-
lice protection, in violation of his or
der yesterday that the council would
not be permitted TO meet in the State
Of Illinois.
The Governor, in a statement, said
he was satisfied the peace meeting was
designed for the purpose of bringing
on draft riots and obstructing the gov
eminent In other respects"
Governor Lowdcn, it was understood,
was advised by telephone from Chief
OF Police Herman Schuettler's Office
that Mayor William Hale Thompson as
sured the council that their meeting
would not be interfered with, despite
the ban or it by the Governor.
The Governor therefore ordered Ad-
jutant General Frank 5 Dickson 20
send state troops to carry out his de-
cree barring the meeting.
Four companies of the 9th Illinois
Infantry, commanded by Major c. ".
Russell, of Mount Carmel. left over the
Chicago & Alton Railroad at 3:5S p. M.
with orders to make the run in four
hours.
General Dickson said no orders had
been issued except TO stop the meeting.
Measures, he stated, would depend upon
conditions as they were found IN Chi
cago.
The troops, not Federalized and or
ganized recently for state duty only,
had been in service here 10 prevent
disorder in connection with the Spring
field streetcar strike.
Before sending the state troops from
Springfield Governor Lowden sought
the use of the federalized ID Hi
rois field artillery at Chicago, but was
unable to get into touch with Major
General ". II. Carter, Commander Of
the Central Department of the United
States Army. Later, after the state
troops had entrained, word came from
General Carter stating he had no au-
thority to intervene.
If Mayor Thompson had asked as
sistance in quelling disturbances in
cident to the meeting and the Cover
nor had been unable to cope with the
situation, the Federal troops could be
used. General Carter said. This in
formation was conveyed to the Cover
nor by General Carriers aid over the
long distance telephone.
The Governor also was without sue
cess in an attempt to get into touch
with the Sheriff of Cook County.
Word Of the meeting Of the council
in Chicago to-day was first received by
Governor Lowden from II. II. Merrlck,
OF the National Security League.
A statement by the Governor fol-
lows:
THE Governor was informed about
noon to-day that the so-callcd National
Council of America for Democracy and
Peace proposed TO hold another meet
ing IN Chicago this afternoon, the Chief
of Police having been instructed not to
interfere This, OF course, was a big
surprise TO him
Having no state troops in Chicago,
the Governor tried to communicate
with General Carter, commanding the
Central Department at Chicago, for the
purpose of preventing the meeting. He
failed, however, 20 reach General Car
ter. He also tried to communicate with
Sheriff Traeger, but was informed that
the SneIlH was out Ol lO"u anu WOulQ
not be back until late this afternoon.
He at once ordered the adjutant
general 10 proceed TO Chicago with
troops TO prevent the further contin-
uance Of the meeting. The Governor is
satisfied that this meeting was de-
signed for the purpose OF bringing on
draft riots ard obs;ructing the govern
ment in other respects. For that rea-
son he has felt that he should use all
the resources at his command to sup
press such meeting"
Governor Lowden expressed surprise
at the refusal OF Mayor Thompson TO
cooperate with him in putting down
the so-callod peace meeting The Gov
ernor sent Mayor Thompson n tele-
gram yesterday explaining his posi-
ton, ard expressing the belief that the
Mayor would agree with him mat the
pacifst conference should not be held
m Ili1rois