The Evening Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1917-1920, 1918-09-10
INSISTS SAUNDERS
MUST Be PUT OUT
St. Louis Republic Says De
fense Council Must De-
eide the Question.
CALLS ATTACK SILLY
"Patriotism or Politics" Is
Heading of Papers Strong
Editorial.


The following editorial under the
heading Patriotism or Politics, deal
ing with the Saunders episode in the
recent primary campaign, is from the
St Louis Republic:
The members of the Missouri Coun-
Gil of Defense who meet in Kansas
City next Tuesday will have this
question to decide:
Shall the Missouri Council of De-
fense be a patriotic organization, ac-
tuated by the highest ideals of loyal
ty, or shall it be an appanage of JEFF
ferson City politics?
Today the activities of the organi-
zatiOn are regarded askance, owing to
a silly attack made on Governor Folk
three days before the primary cleo
tion by William F. Saunders. secre-
tary of the council.
Saunders charged that Folk in a
speech at Jefferson City had disparag-
ed the loyalty of Missouri Saunders
was not present at the meeting, but
Supreme Judge Walker and other
prominent gentlemen, assert that the
former Governor said nothing what
ever that could be construed as re-
fiecting on the States patriotism. That
Saunders charge, which was sent 10
the newspapers at the expense OF the
council was purely campaign "rOOr-
back" is plainly indicated by the fact
that although the speech was made on
Tuesday night. it was not until Satur-
day that it was sent out.
Saunders later stated that Governor
Gardner had authorized the publica-
tion of the statement and that Dean
Mumford. chairman of the council, had
approved it.
Governor Gardner says he did not
authorize it and says Saunders state
ment is an untruth.
Dean NumfOrd says he did not ap
prove of it and says Saunders state
ment is an untruth.
Attorney General McAllister. who.
Saunders says. also approved of the
statement, says he did not approve of
the statement
The duty of the council is clear.
Saunders must be dropped. Not only is
he guilty of plunging lofty. patriotic
organization into the muck of cheap
politics, but according to Governor
Gardner. Dean NIumfOrd and Attorney
General McAllister his statements are
not to be relied upon.
Naturally Gardner, the war Govern
or, will be glad to see Saunders Ousted.
The executive certainly cannot believe
in putting the council into politics.
Dean Mumford and McAllister. it is
obvious, will cooperate toward the
same end. The three, no matter what
their personal regard toward Saunders
may be, could do nothing else. The
council must be cleared of all suspi-
ciOn.
If, however, through some chicanery
Saunders. is retained, then the Council
of Defense, as patriotic organization,
ceases to exist. 1t becomes political
OTRdulZdllOH NuOSC ann 10 W uCSlAOg
Folk at any cost and turn the State
over to the Republicans. But Govern
or Gardner's personal influence with
members of the council is such that he
will doubtless refuse to cOuntenance
any attempt to retain Saunders. He is
on record as saying that the secretary's
statements are not 10 be relied upon.
OF course, as political body, if after
all it is decided to make the council
such. the organization cannot expect
the Legislature to make an appropria-
tion for its support next January. Nor
can the council, if it drops patriotism
for politics, expect any support from
the press of the State. There are
too many real patriotic organizations
crying for assistance.
Missouri can afford to lose all its
politics and politicians for the term of
the war, but it does need a Statewide
patriotic organization to help America
win