Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-12
Citizens Enlist
to Preserve u. S.
Against OUTLAWS

Against OUTLAWS
BY Associated Press.
New York, May IAN investi-
cation of the "one big union of citi-
zens" idea and its feasibility In pro-
tecting American communities from
possible fuel or food famines during
strikes is now under way by ten
members of the New York State
Chamber of Commerce recently ap-
pointed by the president Of the or
ganization as 4 Committee on Pub
lie Welfare.
Revolutionary labor upheavals and
| strikes designated as outlaw" walk
outs by union officials and the en-
ployment Of volunteer Americans in
keeping the channels Of communica-
ton and transportation open, are
the objects. 1t Is said, Of the cham
ber's present inquiry. The chamber
for several weeks has 'peen listing
and classifying volunteers who. with
no antagonism toward unions or par
tisan interest In labor quarrels, obli-
gate themselves to operate motor
trucks or do any other work neces-
sary to keep the nations commercial
arteries open In times Of stress. To
prevent the tying up and throttling
OF whole communities" the commit,
tee has received hundreds OF 70
4ponses to blank questionnaires spsci-
flying the ability and equipment of
the various volunteers. Their occu-
patton, home addresses and telephone
numbers together with other similar
data are in possession Of the com.
mittee which. In time Of crises. may
b utilized.
The chamber at q recent meeting
authorizing the appointment OF the
committee by President Alfred e.
Marling, passed resolutions in which
1t said that civilization II now men.
aced by false and distorted and po.
Mtical ideas and tho public welfare
demands that the men and women OF
the nation. who hold to high ideals
OF personal and poiftical conduct.
who believe In sound economic prin-
ciples and In constitutional govern
ment, shall undertake more resolute-
ly to fulfill their civic duties" The
resolutions further declared that
the structure OF government and
society a. . whole was imperiled
by the interruption of the normal
channels OF communication and pub.
lie service due to IAN irresponsible
minority OF the population Of the
United States" It further stated
that tho duties Of the COMMITTEES on
public welfare should be to draw up
- plan Of. organization and o-oper-
alton whereby the public may. by
volunteer service, aid in maintain
ing the uninterrupted use of public
utilities and assist the duly con.
stituted authorities in preserving law
and order"
Many interesting letters accom-
panied the applications Of volunteers.
A doctor who formerly was a tele-
graph operator offered his services
in any capacity for 'the mainten-
ance Of social equilibrium against
the rebellious and misled small min
ority." He said that the movement
deserved the support Of all right
minded citizens who are the back.
bone OF the country.
A Russian refugee. major-gener-
al in the former Russian army. "who
have suffered the loss of everything
I possessed thru the bolshevik" said
he felt in duty bound to offer his
services. He wrote: Il am perfect
ly familiar with the beginning Of the
bolshevilki, a movement in Russia
which started. as you know, with
strikes, uprisings and the curtail-
ment Of food. know thoroughly the
bolshevists Of other countries as
well as Russia and their methods,
and, since am the guest Of Amer
lea and everybody has been 50 very
kind to me. I wish to do all in my
power to held America"
A man, a consulting engineer, 81
years old, in fair health and vigor,"
wrote: II am fully in sympathy with
your apparent theory that the way
to combat outlaw or even 'inlaw' la
Dor distractions to public activities
is to develop strong and wide
spread sentiment among the masses
Of right-minded citizens against such
labor disturbances. Also that the
way to develop this sentiment among
right-thinking people IS to permit
them to take part in combating law
lessness and to aid in the carrying
on Of public activities which may be
interrupted by labor disturbances"
A lawyer wrote enrolling his name
'as a member Of your organization
which has for its purpose the preser-
walton Of the national Life. No 9TH
er country" he added, gives to its
citizens and others so large an
amount Of freedom and privilege as
does America. yet many Of those
within our borders tail to appreciate
that with liberty also comes re-
sponsibility toward others. It is high
time that the true American citizen
awakens to tho conditions that
threaten and rallies to the support Of
law and order"
The committee on public welfare
| il expected to make Q report Of its
Investigations and progress in the
near future.
L