The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-11-19
KELLEY
AFRAID Of DISORDER

Advises Ofieiais to Use Every Precau-
ton to Prevent Possible Acts
Of Violence
Declaring that already there are
evidences Of unrest consequent upon
the ending of the war and the subse-
quent Industrial disarrangement. that
. very dangerous condition OF affairs
citing instances OF three such out
breaks in Virginia. Colonel Charles r.
Kelley. executive secretary OF the
state council of derense, yesterday
sent the following letter to every may
or, chief of police and sheriff In the
state:
Already there are evidences of un-
rest consequent upon the ending OF
the war; and a very dangerous con-
dition of affairs is being manifested
at widely separated points. We have
already had three outbreaks in Vir-
ginfa We do not want to have any
repetitions OF these II they are evit-
able.
Undesirable and dangerous people
are purchasing fire arms in large
1t VIII didtS pc HttSSe6iy
for me TO remind you that an armed
scoundrel is doubly dangerous
scoundrel
The Richmond chief Of police. Ma
jor sherry has called my attention to
the unusual purchase OF fire arms in
Richmond. He is handling the situa-
ton TO the best OF his ability and as
we'll as the present laws will permit.
This subject OF fire arms has come
Lx.fa -
ssemhly but no proper state law has
yet been passed regulating The sale
or keeping of such weapons Therefore
local ordinances or ORDERS will be nee
essary. and until these can be passed
II might be well TO follow the exam
pie OF Richmond's chief of police, who
has had every dealer in Are arms In
his city sign n paper.
ut II perhaps unnecessary for rrae
TO tell you that any dealer in town
who refuses TO sign may very easily
be coerced into Affirmative action by
placing before his door police Of
fleer with orders to search everyone
entering the premises or emerging
therefrom
II furthe- suggest tn you although
II may not be necessary even 10 do
so. that permits To purchase revofv-
ers ard rifles or ammunition should
be refused unless there lis a most valid
and determining reason fer their is
suanee
This is defense matter q. su-
preme importance a, the present mo-
ment and not only ask your com
pliance with these requests. but
would thank you to let me know at
once what steps you are taking or
will take In the irnme diata future TO
N No - sa1
The following letter has been sent
TO chairmen of county councils OF de-
feH-s throughout Virginia --7--=---
II arp enclosing copy Of circular
letter which l am TODAY sending ~
every Virginia mayor, chiet 7of police
and sheriff Please soc that action Is
taken within your jurisdiction.
1T is no eNacgerstion 10 say that
hundreds Of pistols and thousands of
rounds Of ammunition have been sold
in Richmond during the past week.
There has been no outbreak here.
but there have been outbreaks in three
other Virginia cities.
"Tnarme I'D lawfeeSness IL bad
enough. but armed lawlessness In IA
tai.
Please use all Of Your influence
and that of your council 70 the end
that the means for violence are NOT
toward violence"
The following copy of restrictions
regarding the sale OF FIRE arms and
ammunition will he brought to the at
tention 81 every dealer In such in the
state AMI an endeavor made TO Sc
cure their signatures to same:
I'm view OF the present emergency,
and for public safety. and because OF
the fact that MANY irresponsible and
ta ylao 5, n,&x,
usual quantity Of revolvers rifles and
ammunition the undersigned dealers
OF Richmond and vicinity agree as
follows:
That we will not sell at retail any
revoivers nor revolver ammunition OF
a larger calibre than %. or rifles or
rifle ammunition of larger calibre
than %. to any person. except such
persons have permit to purchase
such articles issued by the chief of
police Of the city of Richmond
I'VE also agree to take from public
view in our respective places OF bust
ness all the above named firearms
and ammunition for period OF three
months beginning November Is.
1915"
A committee representing the
Negro Workers Advisory committee
for the state Of Virginia, headed by
r. G. Irwin, a local colored attorney,
and DR.. George r. Haynes. national
director for the negro economic bu-
reau OF the department OF labor. call
ed on Colonel Kelley yesterday az
ternoon with reference to the unset
tied conditions incident upon the cess
alton OF hostilities. No definite action
was taken, 1t is said. pending develop
ments.
Lecture Tonight at j. NJ. III. s.
talk will be given in the John
Marshall high school tonight at $50
by the r. X f. Literary society. Sub
ject: The Fate OF Kaiser Wilhelm"
Those taking part are Miss Rose Som