Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-04-18
Mob's Victim Places Self in
Hands of Sheriff Mccullough
Let Law and Order
Reclaim Tulsa from
Masked MOb'S Rule

Itisstar cry from the |. W. W
tar party last fall TO the one
few nights ago. The former can
hy no stretch OF tho inAginAuo"
he urged as qualification 'o'
the later. Now, OF all Times !"
the history OF this country moO
law and mob rule shoulu ''
frowned down, A SITUATION
isted last fall In this city ana III 'ho
surrounding country where II o'-
ram. necessary for summary
methods To be resorted To TO PRIV
serve law and order, Inc oS""'
uiter. the open defer Of law ana
order, the advocate Of la~'eSs-
ness were abroad in the LAND not
IN single file. but in organi1cu
h,,As holding meetings and har-
boring and encouraging organ
i2cd opposition not only to Ia" ana
ord.r locally. but in open DELI
snc. of the government itself, ana
society generally Retineries ana
manufacturing plants were being
wrecked. railroad bridges ana
railroad traffic we're being men
Rced and armed guards every
wher. were necessary TO protect
lives and property, An attempt
wRs made TO blow up at least one
home in his city, and others were
warned. and an armed guard had
to he maintained in many in
stances.
Tho victims OF the tar party
were all given an opportunity to
dI.proye their connection with or
sympathy for the things they
were accused OF encouraging, aid
ing and abetting Each man, 1t
was reported. even, was given the
alternative at the last moment OF
renounclng his allegiance to the
H. W. W. ~and declaring his will,
Ingncu TO support the govern
ment and each declined TO do
either OF the three things re-
guirod " him; renounce the or
gnniIAtion 10 which he belonged
(which was known TO bs opposed
10 the governmenD. swear alegl-
ance TO the United states. and
pledge his support to the war, In
not a single case did one OF the
men show any inclination 10 do
any OF these. The affair un-
questionably had a wholesome ef-
feet In ridding the community OF
class Of very undesirable ciu-
Gems and. regretsble as It WAS
that Il was necessary TO resort to
such methods. the sentiment OF
the community supported and up
held the action taken.
But It tx entirely another thing.
this latter proposition OF one or
two or more individuals singiy. or
banded together, going about and
summarily taking the law into
their own hands and shooting
down an individual for disloyal ut
teranoes. or taking him out and
beating him up for other reasons
be they what they may.
There are ample and complete
opportunities thru perfectly law
ful means and methods for deal
ing with these offenses. misde-
meanors. crimes. felonies. treason
and other charges which the re-
Gently enacted espionage law
passed by congress fully cover, in
addition TO tho laws that already
existed.
1t is therefore high time TO put
a stop to this taking the law In
ones own hands for the punish
mcnt Of the known guilty. to say
nothing OF those only suspected.
Until these lawful methods have
broken down or fail 10 meet any
exiEency which may arise, let
there be law. and order. stop
these unofficial killings and these
hasty ku Klux Khan parties. DO
not sfApw bolshevism to get
foothold IN this land OF the free
and the home OF the brave which
Is sirding on It's armor so cour-
ageously and patrioucaly TO bat
Tie for the freedom Of the wnole
world.