New-York tribune., 1918-02-08
Chamber of Commerce De-
mands Traitors and Spies
Be Dealt With More
Vigorously
Asks Congress to Act
Favors Formation of Cavalry
Units in the State
Militia

Mailed fist tactics in cealing with
traitors. spies and enemy agents We're
urged yesterday by the Chamber CT
Commerce at meeting in the head
quarters of that organization.
Welding, Ring, chairman of the ex-
ecutive committee, presented report
in which it was declared that "as yet
no sufficient punishment has been metcd
out to spies and plotters to deter others
from engaging in equally nefarious
acts"
The members also received report
from the committee on National Guard
and Naval Militia, through its chairman,
Francis G. Landon, dealing with the
necessity for the immediate mounting
of cavalry units in the State Militia
for the purpose of policing unprotected
zones in the event of disorder.
This report, in the form of a resolu-
ton, was passed unanimously 1t urges
upon the Governor, the Legislature and
the military authorities the necessity
of prompt legislation providing for th=
work.
Calls for Drastic Action
The resolution adopted calling FIR
the suppression of spies follows:
Your committee has watched with grow
ing concern the apparent confidence with
which agents OF our enemies carry on the
work of spies, transmit information, and
through incendary other means work
nrn etrc tinfo To <l>J
for war work
The frequent outrages committed and
the widespread activities of enemy agents
suggest that as yet no sufficient punish
ment has been meted out to spies and
plotters to deter others from engaging in
equally nefarious acts.
'lt is an essential factor in maintain
ing the keen spirit of men in the Army
and Navy Intelligence Service and in other
agencies of detection that they should feel
that their work is supported; that they
should see suspects promptly interned or
tried, and. il convicted promptly and ade-
uuately punished.
"If existing Federal statutes fail to
provide sufficient penalties if the rules of
evidence hamper prosecutors. judges and
juries if the army and navy lack power
to try by court martial offenders appre-
hended in attempts to destroy government
property, or to administer the customary
penalty Of spies if we have centralized
Secret Service and if there are too many
agencies working at cross purposes, need
ing coordination reorganization. Con-
gress can and should, pass such acts
would remedy these Conditions; would
not only enable but compel the most Sc
we're treatment to any person or persons
found conspiripg against the property
the progress of the efforts of the
ton. Therefore, be it
Resolved. That the Chamber of Com
merce of the State of New York earnestly
requests the President of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House to refer this
report to the appropriate committees of
their respective bodies with respectful
request that the subject receive their
prompt consideration
Up to 8 o'clock last night 21,427
German alien enemies had been regis
tered at the various police stations
throughout the city, in accordance
with the Presidents proclamation.
The listing began on Monday at 8 a.
M. and will continue until tomorrow
night. All who have failed to register
by that time Will be arrested and in
termed by the Department of Justice.
Commissioner Enright gave out the
following totals by boroughs:
Manhattan, lo,745; The Bronx, 5,152;
Brooklyn, $3.50; Queens, 1886; Rich
mond 455 Total 21427