The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1918-12-07

Considerable Agitation Noticeable
! About State Over Body Of Guards.

- Auoul ctAtt OftI DUug Va VuaAuss
From indications that are coming
TO the surface IL would appear that the
state constabulary is the subject OF
considerable agitation Just now, the
keynote OF which isn't just apparent.
From indications II would appear
that 1t arises from one of two things,
either the efforts of those who hold
positions with the guard to make the
institution permanent or an under
hand effort on the part of those fav-
oring the liquor traffic TO have the
guard removed so that Illicit traffic
in the stun may be carried on with
better success.
The first open move was the circu-
lating OF petition about two weeks
ago In which the receivers were asked
20 use their influence 70 have such
legislation passed as will make the
Aorce permanent.
During the present week an arti-
Gle has been going about In which
Al Is claimed that an effort Is being
pade to have the governor order the
xprce of the Job. AS a sample OF the
&tter we reprint the following from
xfe Mining Journal OF Wednesday:
= An Official who is in position to
know what he Is talking about INF
forms The Mining Journal that a de
tefmined effort is being made to in
huence the governor to relieve the
.constabulary from duty in the upper
peninsula. scr
To some extent, he says, 1t is due
TO what those who make representa-
tons TO the governor believe are bona
fide complaints against some things
members OF the constabulary have
done in fighting the booze runners,
but to a greater extent 1t represents
clever work on the part of those who
would like to pursue the whiskey
traffic without let or hindrance to get
the principal obstacle in their path
out OF It.
ITO the extent that this movement
mas taken form. and in my informa-
ton II is a considerable extent" the
Official In question said, "it is a mat
ter In which the whiskey interests
are principally concerned. The con-
stabulary have been thorn in their
flesh along the Wisconsin Michigan
border, and with the constabulary
out OF their way there would be small
fortunes TO be made In running
swhiskey. Some whiskey gets through
now. but the constabulary has made
good hauls. while It's activities make
the business hazardous. These In
terests would be in high fettle II they
could get rid OF the constabulary and
I'm telling you they are trying TO dc
IL.
certain incidents In connection
with the official fight on booze lend
themselves 10 misrepresentation in q
manner to make the officials appear
offensive in their zeal, and some o.
them have been thus misrepresenteC
in an attempt to influence the COVER
nor. If, as is improbable. the COVER
nor should be led to withdraw thi,
force there would be fine field day
for the booze runners in this district
and blindpigging would become 1
common nuisance.
1T would not come amiss II thos,
people who appreciate the work tn,
-constabulary has done in this regior
would address a line to the governor
dealing with this subject. am salts
fled that public sentiment is general
ly behind the constabulary and tina
any proposal to remove them would
Abying many protests. But It is jus
we'll to let the governor know
how things stand. Those who ar,
Interested in free trade in booze across
lhe line should not be permitted I,
ponopolize representation to him"
--O---