The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-11-21
LAW AND ORDER
WEEKAPPROACHES
Secretary of State League
Says II Will Be Period of
Growth Of Righteousness

NASHVILLE. Tom. Nov. q. (Spl) -
Dr. Edwin Minis, secretary az the Ten
nessee Law and order league, today
gave out the following statement with
regard 70 the observance Of law and
order week in Tennessee and the extern
sion Of the organization into all parts
Of the state;
''Those who do not follow the news
papers Of all sections Of the state can
have no idea as TO The general observ-
anee Of law and order week throughout
the state, or Of the Roadway that has
been made In the definite organization
Of local leagues. The committee Of
sixteen. appointed by. the state confer
enee on law aud order, has had the
active cooperation Of practically all
statewide organizations and agencies.
Not only the newspapers OF the leading
cities, but those of many smaller towns
and counties have In their news and
editorial columns emphasized the great
Importance Of this effort 10 stimulate a
reverence for law and for constituted
authority. A large number OF mayors,
Judges and sheriffs have looked upon
the work Of the state league and the
local leagues as agencies for the promo
ton Of peace and order, The Legion
cr Honor, notably in Chattanooga and
Memphis, and in their recent state con-
ference, has taken a firm stand for up
holding the law. The preachers OF the
state, in individual sermons, and in
their various assemblies and confer
onces. have spoken out In no uncertain
terms. The program prepared by the
committee wa carried out In a great
many colleges and even the most re-
mote schools. The cooperation Of
state superintendent OF public instruc-
tion, Albert Williams, had much TO DO
with this attempt To develop the right
sentiment in the rising generation.
! nuslnaag gltTbg hayA fnatprnA the law
and order program in their meetings,
THE committee has had the unIim-
tied supper Of Governor Roberts, who
has made an intensive campaign *
tending 10 all parts Of the state. With
rare courage and devotion TO the pub
lie welfare he has sacrificed his physical
endurance to the point OF exhaustion.
Everywhere he has been met by large,
enthusiastic and determined audiences.
He has lifted the whole cause above
PARTISAN politics by Interpreting the
true spirit of Americanism In terms that
have pnnealed to all law abiding peo-
pie. His determination 70 prevent
i~ynchings and riots In this state during
his administration, backed up as II has
been by definite action, has met with
universal approval without any pre-
ildice To the real interests OF the labor
ing men and with a full desire TO Sc
cure the square deal for the negro race,
h ehas unflinchingly committed him
self to the maintenance OF law under
any and all circumstances and to a
warfare against lawlossness and crime
OF all kinds.
THE movement has not been allowed
to dissipate itself In mere talk County
chairmen IN the majority Of the coun.
tics Of the state have brought about
definite organizations. In Knox county,
for instance, 1900 members OF the
league have been secured, and In every
| ns8tI Hat lna IL TknANnnaAn HnllApy.
ing a mass meeting attended by some
900 or 5000 people, more h 1000
members have already been secured,
and through well organized committees
they are pushing the organization In q
most effective way, They have had
the active cooperation OF the labor
union officials, two Of whom are mem
hers Of the executive committee. IN
ell tho larger counties of East and Mid
die Tennessee the work OF organixa-
ton IL proceeding rapidly. Tho large
and enthusiastic meeting In Jackson,
attended by 20 mayors and representa-
tiyes OF a large number OF counties, has
been followed by meetings In other
towns under the general direction OF
Dr. John T. Weber, who In now deVot-
Ing all his time TO this work, The NASH
Vile league, which was organized
nearly two years ago, has, through Us
!, executive committee, taken definite
steps looking TO the creation OF right
public sentiment and to the proper sup
port of officers of tho law In %prepRrinI
for any emergency that may arise, II
view OF racial or social disturbance.
while much has heen done, much
remains TO be done. The work that has
been so well begun in many sections Of
the state must be carried on, There arr
still too many communities that have
not walked up TO the importance OF THU
effort TO organize public opinion int
definite action, There Is in too many
places n superficial optimism that II
not warranted by the facts In the case
II Ii proposed to have at an early dat
4 Meeting of all county chairmen Il
formulate plans and policies for tn
maintenance and the extension OF
wise and effective program, Their
are still too many who regard tht
whole movement ms political In It's char
acter, or as directed towards some par
ticular class. II can not be too oftei
emphasized that the men who hay
been responsible for the state organi
cation are In no sense PARTISAN !
spirit or action, There one desire !
to promote the public peace, and the
earnestly ask the continued cS-opera
~. - ~ aI,..ag aud Hanau nf man "