The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-09-22
NEED OF VIGILANCE.

with eyes blind-folded and ears deaf
to the repeated warnings that have
been given us, and which must be
needed If other such outrages are to
be prevented.
Following the bomb outrage which
killed more than4 a score and injured
hundreds of persons, it was found that
many warnings had been recNved by
various individuals. none of whom
seem to have paid the slightest at
ton to these warnings.
AT this writing, a warning of the
destruction of the New York Custom
House has been given, and Washing
ton, Cleveland and Pittsburgh have all
received notices signed by the A. A.
F., american Anarchist Fighters), OF
bomb explosions similar to the one
which wrecked the Morgan bank.
Mr.. Palmer has been very severely
criticized in some quarters for his ac-
tions against that element in this coun-
try which is seeking to create a reign
of terror. He may have made mis-
takes, but at this time when the world
is seething like a witches cauldro~ IL
would be difficult to exercise too great
vigilance, and now that this outrage
has been consummated, the very ones
who were first to censure him for his
deportations and other efforts to sup
press BoIshevism will be the first to
offer censure that nothing was done"
by him and the members of the United
States Secret Service to prevent this
recent outrage.
Where the blame is to be laid, in this
particular case, no one can say at this
time, but one thing stands out from
all the mass of testimony, and that is
that there were many who were de-
linquent in reporting warnings re-
ceived by them, and which should have
been turned over to the department of
justice.
This is no time to decide anything
off-ha 1t is a time for the greatest
caution, for the most careful consider
alton of what may seem to be the
veriest trifles.
Because a man may be unbalanced,
and there is a chance that his warn
ing may be of no consequence, makes
that warning of no less importance. 1t
was the act of an insane man which
plunged the world into war.
Every letter, every word, every
warning OF any kind that may be con-
strued as directed against this govern
ment or against any individuals under
the protection of this government
should be given heed, and every clue
should be followed that might posi-
bly, lead to discovery of the perpetra-
tors.
1t frequently happens that too little
attention is paid by the police of New
York and of every other city to the
obvious. In seeking for something OBJ
scure, sensational, difficult, they are
too apt to overlook the open warming
or the obvious situation, and to laugh
at anything which they look upon as
inexpert testimony.
Witness, as an illustration of this,
the fate of Ruth Cruger, who disap-
peared in New York CITY in 1916, ana
search for whom was given up by the
New York police, because they decided
in their own minds that Ruth Cruger
had run away from her home, volun- !
tarily. But there was a woman whose
sympathy had been aroused in the
case and who gave her talents to the
search for this girl. And her asmains |
were found, sin the most obvious place, !
and just where the girl had been last |
seen, and where she was nardered, |
when she went to have her skates
sharpened in an italian shop, near her |
home.
Because it was so obvious that this !
was the place of all places for search, |
the police had passed 1T up, and has-
ing failed to find her body, by follow |
ing expert clues" they decided in |
their own minds that she had run away
from home, and let it go at that.
The obvious thing now is that there ,
is something back of the warnings that |
the people of New YORK and other
cities are receiving. From a. study of ,
these messages, it seems doubtful that ;
they are coming from the A. A. F. 1t !
may be that persons who in some |
way have discovered these plots are
giving warning, in this way hoping to
thus protect the public and at the same
time to save themselves from possible
death. should it be discovered that they
are giving away the secrets of the
anarchists. Or it may be that the an
archists are choosing this way, in the
hope of liberating some of the mem
bers of their band. without intending
to carry out all their threats.
But the Morgan Bank disaster GER
tainly does not suggest that they mean
but just what they say. If
the warning had been needed and been
turned over to the police and guards
placed at the Mongan bank. it may be
that the anarchists would never have
succeeded in carrying out their plots.
Every bit of information, every pos
sible clue as to the plans of these con-
spirators should be Immediately turned |
over to the authorities and every eff
fort should be made by the officers of
the law to track down these men and |
bring them to justice.
AS TO PUBLICITY.
All The tn,I-rns. niA.os- |