The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-04-05
Why Are Soldiers
Still in Lead Belt?

Why should soldiers continue to be
kept in the st. Francois county lead
belt, supposedly for the purpose Of
protecting the mining properties,
when there is absolutely no more need
for them in that community than
there is in any other law-abiding COM
munity, and who is responsible for
this absolute waste of man power, are
questions that practically all the good
citizens of those communities are ask
ing.
At this time, of all times, when
there is woodworking war in
progress, and when men are being
drafted into military service for such
struggle, it certainly appears to be
double imposition on that community,
which is composed OF as great pro-
portion Of high-niinded and law-abid-
tically any other community-more,
perhaps, than in other exclusive min
ing community.
Such legislation is eninently unfair
to the Lead Belt. 1t is also unfair
even to the soldiers, who are forced
to stay there on alleged guard serv-
ice, when their duty, as well as their
desires is to be sent to the scenes of
hostilities. Real soldiers would much
prefer to do soldiers work than to be
placed on guard duty, among their
own countrymen. Such work is be-
littling to them.
But if there was any real necessity
for guard duty there, perhaps they
could better content themselves with
such service while such necessity ex-
listed. But The Times is convinced
that the soldiers in the Lead Belt are
just as thoroughly convinced that
there is no real need for their pres
ence in that district as are the law
abiding citizens there.
If there was any real need for SOL
diers there, many months ago, that
occasion has long since passed. There
is absolutely no more cause for fear
of any further labor troubles in the
Lead Belt than there is fear of an
uprising right here in Pennington.
The facts are that troops were sent
there in the first place through more
or less Misrepresentation, and it seems
more than likely that the same in
fuence is still at work to keep them
there.
The Times has been informed that
recently letter was written to Gov
ernor Gardner stating that mobs, pa
rading the streets of Flat River, are
even yet of frequent occurrence. This
paper denounces any such statements
as absolute falsehoods, ,qkd it stands
ready 20 rfnye that tkszaasssss no more
peaceable, community to be found in
the State than is the town of Flat
River, even though it is the center of
the Lead Belt.
While the above statements are alb
solutely true, and can easily be prov
en- at any time by visit to that dis.
trict, the inhabitants of the Lead Belt
are only human beings, and the fact
that troops continue to be kept in
their midst, for the purpose Of pre-
serving peace and order, may in time
get on the nerves" of even the best
citizens. They are getting exceeding
y anxious that this Strong arm" leg
slation be removed from them, and
that they be permitted to live their
quiet lives as good and humble citi-
zens have a God-given right to live.
Ahe coHultloHS InaC created ana
Fomented the riots in that district
months ago have long since disap-
peared and no such trouble could
again possibly arise under existing
conditions. The mere fact that
town the size of Flat River-with
1000 or 5000 population--goes peace
fully along without a police force,
without so much as a city marshal,
should be sufficient to refute any al
legations that there is need for SOL
liers to guard that district.
The Times would appeal to those in
in this matter to remove the
soldiers from the st. Francois county
Lead Belt, and if there is no greater
need for their services elsewhere, then
hey should be discharged and per-
mitted to return to their homes,
where useful vocations may possibly
await them. The inhabitants of the
Lead Belt should not longer be forced
to bear such a handicap as United
States soldiers standing guard over