Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-01
GENERAL WOOD
IN COMMAND Of
1900 TROOPS
Military Forces and Civilian
Population Given Strict
Orders Regarding
Conduct.

alton OF normal conditions IN the
community. LEONARD WOOD,
Major General y. S. Army.
Streets Are Patrolled.
Under the provisions of the fore
going Instructions, men from Camps
Dodge, Grant and Funston, and also
local members of the American Lee
gion, patrolled the streets last night.
The men are each equipped with zoo
rounds of ammunition, and each ma
chine gun has supply of 5000
rounds. Rendezvous have been es-
tablished at Twenty-fourth and Lake
streets, Auditorium, court house
city hall, and Twenty-fourth and Q
streets.
The men have been instructed to
arrest civilians carrying weapons
concealed or otherwise. No large
groups or mass meetings will be per
mitted.
Not Martial Law.
While Omaha is in charge of the
military, martial law does not ex-
list in its full meaning. General
Wood explained yesterday that the
functions of the civil courts would
not be disturbed; that the military
authority will be extended only to
protect life and property. County
Attorney A. V. Shotwell conferred
with the general yesterday afternoon
on the matter of co-ordinating the
office of the county prosecutor with
the federal government.
All members of the local police
department are subject to the direc-
tons of General Wood. Police Com
missioner Ringer and Chief of Po-
lice Eberstein reported yesterday to
the military commander. Acting
Mayor IRE also is cooperating.
Legion Members Serve.
Allan Turkey, an overseas service
man, is in charge of members of the
American legion who have volun-
teered for special duty. Mr.. Turkey
expects to have an organization of
$50 men, They are sworn in by the
city as special police and are under
orders of the military authorities.
Their arms will be kept in the city
hall when they are not on duty.
General Wood addressed these men
in the city council chamber at Sis
p. m. yesterday.
IF you are ordered to make an
arrest, you will be expected to do
so with as little violence as pos
sible, but with all the violence neces-
sary," he said. "If you go after a
man, you will bring him in alive if
you can. If not, you will bring him
in dead. There will be no more
monkey business. This is military
law"
Governor McKelvie and Adjt.
Gen. H. J. Paul of the Nebraska
national guard called on General
Wood, who expressed his opinion
that the situation here since Sun
day night has been handled satisfac-
torily.
$500 Soldiers Here
The arrival OF 523 men from
Camp Grant and 223 from Camp
Funston yesterday were features of
the day. There are now approx
mately $500 men here under arms.
During the day Acting Mayor
Ure handed Col. J. E. Morris let
ter in which the police department
was formally transferred to the
jurisdiction of the military au-
thorities.
"Firmness and decision now are
the elements of safety" said the
general at headquarters, after he had
gone over the local situation with
military and civil authorities.
Has Full Authority.
"Our men here have orders tc
carry out orders" announced the
general, with his characteristic man.
ner of expression.
Then he showed a telegram re-
! ceived from General March, chief
of-staff, Washington, D. c.:
"You are authorized to take what
ever measures may be needed te
handle the emergency, the governor
of the state having requested tn,
United States government to fur
nish assistance"
Advice to Legion.
"Now is the time for the Amer
can Legion, white and black. te
show that they stand for law anc
order" said General Wood.
DR.. Amos B. Madison, command
er of the local Theodore Roosevelt
post Of the American Legion of Col
ored Men, accompanied by H. ]
Pinkett, also colored, called on thu
general with reference to the forma
ton of platoon Of negro member:
of the American Legion. This wa.
authorized.
Committee Meets General.
The general was met at the Unior
station by Col. Jacob w. S. Wuest
commanding officer at Fort Omaha
Col. ]. E. Morris of Fort Crook
John M. Gamble, president of TIL
Chamber of Commerce; E. Bucking
ham, president of the Knights o.
Ak-Sar-Ben, and others.
Officials and civilians at the sta
ton expressed themselves in Opt
mistic terms as to the situation. thu
concensus of opinion being that thu
crisis has passed.
Ten.Hour Working Day
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