New-York tribune., 1918-05-31
Montclair, N. j., Militiamen
Adopt Resolution Ask
ing Wilson to Act
Call Them Dangerous
Take Steps to Stop Their Sale
in Their Own Com
munity

MONTCLAIR, N. j., May 30.~-Thc
Montclair battalion of the New Jersey
Militia Reserve to-day requested
President Wilson to use his "ample
powers" to stop the publication Of all
Hearst newspapers in the United
States.
This was by far the most drastic &C
tion taken in any New Jersey town
since the sentiment against Hearst
publications started up in this state,
following "The New York American s.
deletion of the victory prayer from the
Presidents Memorial Day message.
Many other New Jersey towns have
taken steps to bar Hearst papers from
their city limits, but Montclair,
through its militiamen, was the first
town to appeal to the President to sup
press Hearst papers all over the
country.
Want Hearst Papers Suppressed
Several days ago the Montclair bat
TALON passed resolution intended to
prohibit the sale OF Hearst papers
locally. The request that President
Wilson suppress Hearst papers ali over
the country was contained in resoiu-
ton which the four hundred members
of the battalion unanimously passed
Just before joining the Memorial Day
parade. Besides the message to Pres
dent Wilson, the resolution contained
paragraphs which restated in stronger
terms the previous urge that Hearst
papers be barred locally.
The resolution follows:
Whereas we, the members of the five
companies of the Montclair Battalion. be-
leving that the so-called Hearst newspa-
pess are, and have been for years past. ex-
ere ising a seditous and dangerous infiu-
ence throughout the United States. which
it is the duty of the government and every
true citizen to combat by all lawful u means,
Now, therefore, be it resolved. That we
respectfully call upon the President Of the
United States, through the ample powers
reposed in him, to suppress the further
publication and circulation by means OF the
mails and otherwise of the so-called Hearst
newspapers throughout the United States
Further, resolved. That we respectfully
call upon the Mayor aid Commissioners OF
the town of Montclair TO enact such lawful
ordinances as may in their judgment be
requisite to prohibit the sale and distribu-
ton of the Hearst newspapers in the town
of Montclair. and that we pledge our as
sistance in support thereof.
Be it further resolved, That each mem
Der of the Montclair Battalion hereby
pledges himself. duty to his country
and to the municipality to whose defence
and welfare he is bound by the oath of the
New Jersey State Militia Reserve. to use
all legitimate means at his disposal to pre-.
vent the further sale and distribution of
the said Hearst publications in the town of
Montclair, by newsdealers or otherwise.
Be it further Resolved. That copy of
these resolutions be forthwith transmitted
to the President of the United States and
to the Mayor of the town of Montclair.
Wants Papers Barred in Montclair.
At the last meeting of the Board of
Commissioners Mayor Louis F. Dodd
said he had conferred with three of the
local newsdealers and that they had
promised to endeavor to make an ar
rangement with other dealers whereby
Hearst newspapers would no longer be
sold in Montclair.
D. Paine and J. Boyce Smith, lawyers,
who are members of the battalion, are
now drawing up, at the battalion's re-
quest, an ordinance to prohibit the cir
culation of Hearst papers in Montclair
Battalion members desire such an ordi-
nance to prevent Hearst from sending
special news venders to Montclair after
the local dealers stop the sale ofHearst
papers.