The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-12-27

International Falls in their place."
ting the Winona boys to enjoy their
Christmas at home.
But the most asinine story of all
was that from General" Rhinow pub
lished in the Duluth News Tribune
Tuesday morning. It is the joke of
the year from Virginia north. Rhinow
endeavors to impress the public with
the fact that all the people in the
north are accustomed to carry high
power rifles, and he declares that
lumberjacks are going about armed
with such. 1t may be true that the
settlers and regular inha bitants of the
towns, villages and farms have rifles
that they use for hunting purposes,
but a timber worker is the last mortal
on earth to possess such a thing.
Statement is Absurd
Anyone knowing the north country
recognizes at once the absurdity of the
statement issued by "General"
Rhinow. Even Backus, with his
knowledge of the men, must have
seen the folly of such a preposterous
story. Who could have prepared it?
Was it done by the Twin City news
paper men who were wined and dined
at the Blackstone apartments in In
ternational Falls, owned by the Backus
interests? No matter who wrote the
statement it is not belived by an in
habitant of the north country, NOT
even by the most servile man in tha
employ of Mr.. Backus.
Governor Burnquist an dlnis pomp-
GUS general will have to give the peo-
pie some better explanation for the
presence of troops in International
Falls than has been given if they ex-
pect to survive the public criticism and
condemnation. that is to come from
their conduct in this matter thus far.
They can not get away with their I.
w. w. scare, because that organiza-
ton is practically out of business in
the north country. as it has been for
months. They cannot show lawless-
ness in territory where the leading
peace officers. and the American
Legion maintain there is perfect quiet
and order. They may succeed in fool
ing some people in other parts of the
state with their weird stories, but thew
can not deceive the people Of north
eastern Minnesota, who live beside the
men on strike and who know condi-
tons as they really are.
What They Think About 1t
What do prominent citizens of the
north country think about the gov
ernor's action? The international
Falls Daily Journal refers to the mil
lila, strike, 'riot'' and the reporters
for the Twin City papers as follows:
"Adjt. Gen. Rhinow returned this
morning from st. Paul where he made.
a personal report to the governor as
to the situation here. On account Of
this city bein: stragetic point from
military standpoint from which to
handle any lumber camp I: w. w.
uprlslngs, 1t is understood that the
military forces will remain here in
definitely. The greater number of
lumber. camps in northern Minnesota
are located in the territory served
by the NJ. & I. and D. w. & p, thus
making all camps more accessible
from this point than any other, for
the troops. This fact is agreeable to
our citizens as long as they are not
reported to be busy suppressing riots
here that have not taken place.
"A number of strikebreakers ar
rived this morning. They are said
10 have been recruited in Chicago
and are professional in this line-the
fighting kind, in other words.
No Trouble in North
There has been no trouble in the
town so far and it is to be hoped
that these imported men can be held
in check.
"The Press of this city contained
no word of the strike and protest Of
our citizens against the governors
action in sending troops here. Nor
was it necessary as the company has
been getting plenty of publicity
through the twin city papers, the re-
porters for which have been guests
Of the Blackstone apartments on Sec
ond street owned by the Backus in
terests Representatives of the Min
neapolis Journal and Tribune and of
the st. Paul Dispatch arrived this
morning to take the place of the SEN
sational newswriters who were here
from those papers over Sunday.
The Minneapolis Tribune and St.
Paul Dispatch have both published
editorials commencing the governor
for the manner in which he has
handled the situation here"
DR.. E. M. Withrow, commander of
the Am erican Legion, Frank Palmer,
judge at International Falls and F. J.
state representative, all
sent letters to Governor Burnquist,
calling him to a turn for charging
that they were "enemies of the state"
because they protested against his &C
ton in sending troops to the quiet
and peaceable city of International
Falls. Their letters are as follows:
BY DR. NJ. E. Withrow
To The. Honorable J. A. A. Burnquist
Governor Of Minnesota:
Discussing your telegram published
IN the Minneapolis Journal: Regard !
ing as to how and at whose REQUEST
the National Guard weres sent to In
ternational Falls, there is difference
OF opinion: The consensus of opinion
here Is that they were requested by
private citizens and upon such re-
quest, tender was made to the sher-
If, without any request from him for
troops. The interest Of the American
Legion in this matter is a patriotic
one. We, as an organization, believe