The diamond drill., 1920-02-28
THE REVOLT IN IRON

THE REVOLT IN IRON
The revolt at Iron River, The Min
ing Journal predicts. will prove a
storm in teacup. There will be no
arrayal OF the state and federal offic-
icials against the handful of officers
at Iron River. When the issue is dra-
wn and the credentials OF the federal
officials arei properly attested. Mr..
McDonough. the prosecutor. will not
put himself in a posture OF defiance
OF the federal government. nor yet OF
the constabulary
In the stories that have been print
ed concerning this nine hour wonder
in Iron County there are certain con-
fiicts OF statement that leave in some
doubt the merits OF the position OF
the various parties. Mr.. McDonough.
for instance, asserts that the federal
agent was not properly accredited and
that there was no way for him to
know that he was really federal ag
ent. II is alleged, also, that other nee
essary formalities were dispensed
with, and that the federal and state
officers conducted themselves with
out due regard TO the processes OF the
law. On the other hand. the later at
tribute TO the local officers an undue
sympathy with the alleged vioiaters
and a purpose OF doing all IN their
power TO protect them from the pen
alties OF their violations.
But when the smoke clears away
II will be found that there is no pur-
pose. or desire, in Iron County to abet
local officials in defying the state fed
eraI authorities. when the latter busy
themselves In enforcing the law with
due regard for the necessary form
alities. Whatever their sympathies In
the present instance may be, the peo-
ple OF Iron county are law-abiding.
There would be precious little sup
port from them for any high handed
attitude on the part Of the prosecutor
even il he were OF a mind to take
such an attitude. The Mining Journ-
al predicts that the revolt will sub
side as quickly as II has come TO com
mand public interest.
In connection, the remark OF the
Colonel vandercook that hell VIII
break loose in the upper peninsula II
the constabulary Is removed Is given
a new circulation. This slander on the
upper peninsula is. as the newspapers
OF the district have generally observ-
al entirely unwarranted by condit-
ions. DESPITE this little furry in Iron.
Il Is a mischieyous reflection on the
entire region. and II has done more TO
bring the constabulary into disfavor
IN the counties north OF the straits
than any incident that has occurred
since the force was orgnized.
The only counties in with the con-
s,abulary has had an difficulty at all
has been Iron. Gogebic and possibly
Dickinson. Such difficulties as u has
had have been local. and have turned
on the efforts its members have made
TO enforce the law. In the largest
OF the district the consiab-
ulary has had not the slightest diff
Guilty. and even In the counties where
there have been differences the work
OF the police has not been seriously
impedcd.
Cononel vandercook's remark will
he taken by the average person not
informed as to the actual conditions
70 mean that the industrial status
In the region is marked by a discont-
ent that makes the situation ont OF
great potential danger. Nothing could
be al greater variance with truth. No
part OF the state has more settled
and satisfactory industrial conditions
today than the upper peninsula. Agit-
alton is exceptional Wandering aglt-
ator brethren meet with little impress
sion while they remain. Discomfort Il
the exception. not the rule. thought
no humans are ever completely sat-
isfied with their lot. and there IL per-
hsps less quArreiing with confsu>