Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-22
DEMAND IS MADE
IN THE HOUSE FOR
MARTIAL LAW HERE
Searching Investigation to
Fix Responsibility for Law
Iessness Called For.

Demands for martial law in the Ma
tional Capital to stop, the national
disgrace" of the race rioting and other
recent crimes were made today in the
House in several resolutions which
were introduced. Rev. Henry Coudon,
the blind chaplain, also in his prayer
referred in vigorous language to the
conditions which now exist here.
Members generally are much dis
turbed about the conditions in the
city, and while the leaders are re-
luctant to declare that martial law
should be invoked, they say they are
ready to insist upon drastic action II
necessary to restore peaceful condi-
tions.
A number of the legislators were
and some of them had the wave of
disorder impressed most forcibly upon
them because the son Of one Of the
veteran House employees who has served
as messenger for nine Speakers was one
of those killed.
Introduces First Resolution.
The first and most vigorous resolu-
ton was introduced by Representa-
tive Frank Clark of Florida. This
stated that "for the past month or SO
the capital of the nation seems to
have been invested with the vilest
riminals in all the land. Larceny
robbery, burglary, assaults of various
kinds and attacks on many women
have occurred almost within the
shadow Of the Capitol building itself
THE officials Of the District of CO.
lumbia have utterly failed to bring to
justice the cowardly and inhuman
beasts who are guilty of cruelty
ravishing innocent and defenseless
women.
The police of the District of Column
bia or their superiors are either too
timid or too inefficient to bring these
criminal scoundrels to the bar Of
Justice. ! The existing conditions are
a Shame and disgrace to the police and
! hs s sss e 9 .as a ~; "a,
gresS 10. make the streets OF Wash.
thgton s4Hfe for the good women Of
the land The present District Eovs
Srhment Ii unquestionably incapable,
from weakness. ireficiency or tfmidity,
to deal with the situation with the
firm hand required. The honor and
virtue of our women must be pro-
tected at any and all hazards" -
In view of this contention Repre-
sentative Clark proposes:
THAT the Speaker of the House ap:
point special committee, composed
of seven members of this body, with
full power and authority to investi-
community. and particularly. the crime
of rape, with a view of determining
what officials are responsible for the
fact that not one of the rape demons
has been brought to justice. :,
That said special committee shall
have full power and authority to sum-
mon witnesses and compel their at
tendance, to administer oaths and af-
firmations, to issue subpoenas. duces
tecum and compel the production of
any books and papers desired, and to
do and perform any and all acts
deemed necessary to ascertain the
true facts and place the blame for
the present reign of lawlessness where
it justly belongs.
Report to Be Comprehensive.
THAT said special committee shall
report to the House all the testimony
taken, together with conclusions
showing:
FIRST, what official or officials, II
any, have been and are responsible for
the failure to bring the criminals to
justice.
Second, what changes, If any, are
needed in the District government
personnel in order to insure a more
criminal laws and the more speedy
and certain apprehension of the. Grim
inals.
Third. what changes. if any, should
be made in the organization of the
police and detective force>of the Dis
trict, and IL the police force should be
enlarged, to what extent.
Fourth, whether a suburban mount
ed police force should be maintained
day and night. its organization. num-
His resolution further provides that
"said special committee shall report to
the House such legislation as it may
recommend in order to remedy the Sit.
uatfon and particularly to protect de-
,fenseless girls and women on. the pub
lie highways and thoroughfares Of the
District.
"That the sum Of $4,000 out of the
contingent fund Of the House be APP
propriated to defray the expenses Of
such investigation to be paid on proper
vouchers signed by the chairman of
the special committee"
Would Declare Martial Law.
Representative Emerson Of Ohio also
introduced a resolution to declare
martial law in Washington, in the
preamble of which he states that
'.rioting in the city of Washington
has gone to such an extent that it has
become a national scandal, and the
local authorities in the city of Wash
ington seem to be unable to preserve
law and order"
His resolution provides that the
President of the United States use the
military forces Of the United States
to preserve law and order in the CITY
of Washington and protect the lives
and property of all the people ire
spective Of race or color"
Appeals to President.
Out and out declaration for martial
law is contained in another resolution
introduced by Representative Vale of
Colorado, as follows:
Resolved. That for the purpose of
preserving the dignity and honor of
the United tSates and the safety of
life and property in its capital. the
President of the United States is re-
ouested to declare a state of martial
law in the District Of Columbia and to
enforce peace therein by such use of
the armed forces Of the United States
as he may deem expedient for that
purpose until in his judgment nor
nal conditions shall have been re-
stored" s.
get time under unanimous consent 70