The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-11-17
Stirred to Depths Over Muir
der of Legion Men in :
49,.
Centralia, Wash. !
PLAN TO ORGANIZE -
= STATE AGAINST REDS
Rhinow Would ''Wipe Out
Brood of Vipers"; Says !
So in Statement -:


tually declared on the I. w. w. and
similar anti-government organiza-
tions by Governor Burnquist. Attor-
ney General Hilton, Adjutant Rhin-
ow and other state, county and city
officials.
Stirred to the depths by the muir
der of members of the American Le-
gion in Centrallia, Wash, and by the
alleged statements of Minneapolis
alderman, combined with the defiant
ly issued appeal for soviet Bolshe-
vik government, these officials cast
the gauntlet Of earnest and thorough
opposition to exponents Of anarchy
and riot.
Resolved to Go the Limit.
A massing of the entire forces OF
the state, both legal and policing,
was forecast in formal statements is
sued by these officials In unofficial
conversation several of the promin-
ent officers of the state, county. and
city governments expressed d. thems
selves as willing to 60 to the extreme
limit of constituted law and order
not only to expose but also entirely
to eliminate these fungus groWths in
the body polite.
To Wine Out "Brood of Vipers."
General Rhinow in his formal
statement declares that the "entire
military forces Of the state are will
ing to do their part in the utter ex-
termination Of this brood Of vipers
that is nesting in the security of the
very law and order they are attempt
ing to down."
Attorney General Hilton declared
"every possible legal means should be
used not only to curb sedition, but
also absolutely to eradicate it."
Mill Citians Flay Alderman.
In Minneapolis body of citizens
appeared at council meeting and
bitterly opposed motion to "play for
the damage done to the I. w. w. hall
by soldiers and ex-service men,"
Vitriolic comment was made by ci
tizens of the Tenth ward in Mime
apOlis when Alderman I. G.. Scott de-
clared that he represented the Tenth
ward. This alderman also boasted of
the fast that twice he has been a
member of the l. w. w.
The American Legion by extraor-
binary and commendable self-re-
straint in Centralia, Wash, offered
themselves as guards to prevent "di-
rect action on the persons suspected
of having cold-bloodedly murdered
their comrades.
In both st. Paul and Minneapolis,
American Legion posts have gone on
record as standing "for law and Or
der.'
Treat EN- Rough. Only Way.
Following is the statement Of Ad-
jutant General w. F. Rhinow:
"When dealing with a gentleman
ly opponent it is customary to accord
him the courtesy due, but the men,
bers of the I. w. w. have more than
demonstrated that they not only are
not gentlemanly opponents, but that
they deserve absolutely no considera-
tion.
According to articles I have read
they have shot down men from am
bush, they have set fires that have de-
stroyed millions Of dollars worth of
grain and other necessities, they have
brown up bridges and munition
plants when this country was hght-
ing to save itself from the damnation
of militarism, and in all their actions
they never once have shown that
they deserve one iota of gentleness.
ut is said that they are exponents
of direct action" From the open
statesments that their leaders have
made they advocate taking over the
governmental reins and conducting
the affairs Of the country along the
lines of utter disregard for the rights
of Others
"The entire military forces Of the
state are willing to do their part in
the utter determination Of this brood
of vipers that is nesting in the Sc
curity Of the very law and order that
they are attempting to down.
Every decent and law-abiding
citizen is against such worthless by
products Of civilization and, in my
opinion, they should be placed under
such term of control as they might
best appreciate and that is force"