The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1917-07-19
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GURDS HERE
GOV. ouNTER CALLS ON COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AND THE CITY
COUNCIL TO TAKE STEPS FOR
HOME PROTECTION.

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| county commissioners and the city
council here a request is made for the
organization OF military units imme-
diately. TO be known as the ''volun-
teer Home Guards" to safeguard
property and to take the place of the
state militia.
The governor intimates that far
reaching plots devised for the purpose
Of curtailing production. Gripping in
dustries and causing reign OF sabof-
age, such as was experienced at Bis
bee. Arizona. recently has been brot
to light by the state department OF
Colorado. For this reason the Cover
nor declares the various counties OF
the state should lose no time in or
sauizing units of home guards to sup
plant the militia and 10 execute the
plans of the government. The follow
ing letter from the governor address
ed to Mayor d. n. Cooper was read at
the city council meeting last Monday
night:
After repeated conferences with
members of the War Council of Colo
RADIO. with reference to measures for
,ion OF lives and property therein. |
am. with the full knowledge and ap-
provai OF the Council. addressing you
as 10 steps which each local govern
ing body should take for the mainten-
ance of order within the territory en-
der it's jurisdiction
"You undoubtedly realize that in
the near future this state. by the call
OF its entire organized militia into the
service Of the United States. will be
stripped OF the force upon which it
ordinarily relies for projection against
disorder. so that II viii be necessary
for the state government TO depend
70 an unusual degree upon local In
itiative and patriotism to preserve or.
der.
Prom conditions in neighboring
states and from disquieting reports
from various points in Colorado pub
ished in the newspapers. II is evident
20 all thoughtful men that the danger
apprehended is real and not fsncied
In addition TO these circumstances
familiar TO ali. am in possession OF
information from sources OF unques-
iionable reliability supporting the
conclusion that bold and farreaehins
conspiracies exist looking to the de
struetion Of property. both public and
private. the crirplinE OF industrial
plants. the curtailing of all manner OF
production. the interruption of traffic
and even the taking Of human life. all
with a view to hampering the state.
and the nation Of which it is a part. in
the conduct of the present foreign
war
$50 much for the situation In which
we find ourselves. In view OF these
conditions | make the following re-
quest for action on your part;
Il That you and your town Of
ficials at once proceed to cooperate
with the county commissioners in or
ganizing committee OF public safety
for your county.
SO. That AS such committee Il pro-
ceed at once 10 organize voluntary
Home Guard units adequate to protect
life and property within your county:
that these units be organized along
military lines and Officers be selected
to drill and command them; that the
men composing such companies. or
units. be required to take an oath to
uphold the constitution and the laws
of the United States and of the state
OF Colorado and to answer all calls
for assistance made upon them by the
sheriff of the county. but not obligat.
ing them to perform military duty
outside such county. Each member
of such an organization should be pro-
vided. at his own expense, or IL prac-
,icabie at the expense of the county.
with the best arms and equipment oh.
tainable and should be regularly and
thoroughly drilled, so that IL these
bodies should be called into service
TO assist the regular peace officers.
they would constitute an effective
force.
IS. That whenever called to the
aid of tho regular pence officers. men,
bers of such organisations should be
summoned as members Of posse. or
sworn as deputy sheriffs. in order to
secure control by the sheriff and legal
protection 10 the men themselves.