Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-25
j. SP0WER
TO Be USED IN WAR
ON ALL DISORDER
BY n. O. MESSENGER.

In the face of impending and threat
ened labor strikes of vast and sinister
proportions, the administration is pre-
pared to assume and exert firm atti-
tude toward any disturbances that may
result therefrom- Disorder will be
promptly put down and the entire
power of the federal government will
be utilized to maintain order ana
check instantly any movement which
might seem to strike at the heart OF
government or welfare of the mass
of the people
Foreseeing such q crisis as now
threatens to be rrecipitated. the cahi-
net has for several weeks past CON
sidered from time to time the outlook
for the future and determined upon
policy to be pursued. In high Off
cia1 circles there has been disposition
to hold the threatened strikes as the
beginning of a mass attack on estab-
lished goyernment.
Basic Principles Agreed On.
Several fundamental principles have
been already agreed upon as the
policy to dictate the governments ac-
ton. One of these is that the govern
ment will oppose any line OF action
taken by organizations of either CAPT.
tai or labor which involves violation
of contract. Another controlling pol
icy will be to strike swiftly and vigor-
ously against any apparently organ
lied outbreak of disorder; the govern
ment superseding the civil authority
Immediately upon failure or indisposi-
! ton of the civil officers to put down
disorder.
Another principle which fi:,ds sup
/ port in administration quarters is the
suggestion that the Gripping of the
sources of fuel and food supplies and
, of the distribution thereof shall be re-.
garded as acts hostile to the mass OF
the people and therefore inimical to
! the government itself.
President Wilson, in closing his APP
| peal to the coal miners last night, laid
down the dictum that it is incumbent
alton of the mines pending arbitration
| of their grievances. In his address to
/ the railway men, August % last. Presi-
dent Wilson said that demands I'M
wisely made and passionately insisted
upon at this time menace the peace and
! else could and thus contribute to bring
about the very result which such de-
mands are intended to remedy"
! Mr.. Bakers Statement of Policy.
/ Today there became available fol-
the first time here the exact text OF
Secretary of War Bakers announce.
ment of the governments policy to-
ward public disorder, delivered in q
recent speech in Cleveland. The
| words of Secretary Baker, apparently
, carefully chosen, are taken to repre-
sent the settled policy of the admin
istration.
America never will exchange the
solid foundations of civilization ant
social order which our ancestor:
gave US for any such fantastic (bol
shevisD theories. And if there b'
any doubt as to what the intention o
the government is, l can assure you
that the timid can take heart.
When the Omaha riot broke ou
not long ago l sent telegram tt
every governor in America telling
him that if civil disorder broke gu
in his state. which, by reason of tn.
rehabilitation of the National Guart
he did not have the power to sup
press. he should communicate at once
with the department commander ant
not go through the formality of com
municating with Washington; and
sent a telegram to every department
commander telling him when the gov
ernor of state called upon him TO
assistance he should send troops a
once to assist him.
Aid of Army Promised.
I'VE have an Army of tried soldier
, anG true Americans. They have see
the effect and the consequence of dis
order in the world until they have n
affection for it. and they are going t
see, as the administration in Wash
. ington is determined they shall SEE
that the processes of the federal gov
. eminent shall go on unobstructed 4
this country, and that if any civi
disorder breaks out which the gov
ernor is unable to control the fedora
forces will assist him to the flu
limit.
ut is important to add that tn
{ Army of the United States is not
i partisan in any industrial dispute. !
is not taking sides in any Of thes
, | controversies. There is only one con
troversy in which 1T is taking sides.
"As between the people who wan
order in America and the people VIII
are trying to create disorder in Amer
} lea, the Army is on the side of tn
people who want order"
Secretary Bakers exposition of tn
| governments attitude is held in hig
! administration quarters to apply t
riots and disorders Of magnitude
! from whatever source they may come