The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-12-27
Of the state hereafter appearing in
your paper, heretofore regarded as

Of the state hereafter appearing in
your paper, heretofore regarded as
conservative and truthful.
Prior to the sending of the troops
to this city I heard of no disorder
resulting from the strike, or any
threatened disorder by the strikers
These employees are lawabiding resi-
dents of this city, many family men
and home-owners, and some of them
members of the American Legion.
Since the arrival of troops the strikers
have treated the troops with every
degree of courtesy. Disorders re-
ported never occurred. 1t may be that
I. w. WIS, not strikers. have written
threatening letters to officers of the
Guard, but the striking employees are
not of that stripe nor in sympathy
with I. w. w. or anarchistic principals
or practices. I know many of these
strikers for years as former home
steaders and tradesmen to be loyal
American citizens in. every sense of
the term.
Spreads Out For Labor
Because of this situation I joined
governor declaring the reports of riot
ing as untrue and the sending of
troops here because Of the strike as
reflection upon our city and it's peo-
pie. I am satisfied beyond a doubt
that there is not a member of the
American Legion in this county, of
which there are several hundred, or
a Spanish War veteran, who would
refuse to respond to a call from the
sheriff or any other executive officer
to suppress rioting or disorder, or pro-
tect life OR property where there was
imminent danger thereto. No condi-
ton of this kind existing such men
would naturally refuse to act as dep
uty sheriffs until such emergency
arose. Being on the ground they are
better able to judge as to the exist
ence of an emergency than was the
governor or anyone else depending
upon hear-say testimony.
The governors message published
on the front page of your paper of
Dec. II, branding, in a wholesale lot,
all who signed the protest, as "ene-
mics of the state" is a most radical
Indictment, unworthy Of the governor
Of anyone else holding that office. Il
must have been conveived during an
excited condition of mind, offended
dignity, or a fit of pique. and not en-
mating from sound executive Judge
ment.
I unhesitate1y assert that I do not
believe that there was any more
reason or justice in calling out state
troops to control the strikers here
than there was in the act of Governor
Frazier of North Dakota, calling out
the troops to seize the coal mines of
that state.' Such abuse Of executive
authority does not produce that
wholesome regard: +. for the lawful
functions of the. national guard so
much desired by the American Legion
and some of us older men of the
Spanish War veterans.
Makes Position Plain
In all fairness to the governor my
position is this: If the troops were
requested by the sheriff of this. coun
ty or representations that an emer-
gency existed, the Governor was right
in sending troops first; and investigate
ing the necessity afterward, the blame
then attaches to the one maxim g the
representations, in which case I pub
Ideally apologize for sending the
troops. However, he is utterly wrong
in maintaining them here when no
occasion exists. He certainly does not
add dignity to his high office in
branding as enemies of the state" the
citizens and officials here who protest
against false representations, and un-
called-for indignities heaped upon our
city and its people.
Though not standing upon the same
plane in literary merit, this expression
of sentiment should in all fairness be
given the same first. page prominence
as the articles it attempts to answer.
Respectfully,
F. J. McPartlin.
mr. n1lPn