The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-07-19
ORDERS
ISSUED TO
TROOPS
Pres. Harding Takes
Action to Back Up
His Proclamation to
Striking Shopmen

His r0cldn1atl0n TO
Striking Shopn1en
Washington, July IS (Ry the As
socsated Press President Hard
ing took the first step. today toward
backing up with the military arms
OF the governmental sl1is proclama-
tson warning striking railway
shopmen against Interference with
the transportation Of interstate
commerce and the mails.
Instructions were sent at the di-
rection of the president to Maj.
Gen. John T.. Hines, command
ing the Eighth army corps area at
San Antonio, Texas, to prepare a
sufHcient force of troops to give
adequate protection to the lines Of
the Missouri, Kansas & Texas rail
road which have been attacked by
striking shopmen. particularly at
Denison, Texas.
Coincident with these instruc-
tions there went forth from the
war department to G. e. Schaf OF
St Louis, the receiver appointed by
a United States court for the Mis-
souri, Kansas & Texas, the advice
that he should again cali on the
governor OF Texas for protection
for the railroad properties, the
receiver having reported that pre-
vieus appeals to the state executive
had been unteeded. The receiver
further was promised that should
his appeal bring no protection
from the state authorities .fhe
federal government is ready to af-
ford protection and will take ac-
ton if necessary as soon as you
have the reply from the governor.
Ohcials in announcing the gov
enment's action emphasized it was
taken because the Missouri, Kan
sas q Texas was, in the hands Of
receiver appointed by a federal
court and consequently was under
the supervision of the federal gov
eminent. No official statement was
: 5arailable to indicate that the ac-
ton was to be taken as precedent
determining the policy to be fol-
lowed by the government in other
cases where violence and lawless-
ness arising fromt he4stF; Sa- inter
fere with the two essentials as
enumerated by President Harding
in his pHociamation ovemeft of
the mails and maintenance OF in
Ierstate commerce. It is under
stood, however. that the president
personally will pass upon other
emergencies that may arise call
ing for the use of troops.
Other developments in the capital
in connection with the strike dur
ing the day included the receipt by
President Harding OF telegram
from 3. NJ. jewell, head of the
railway employees department Of
the American Federation of Labor,
and heads Of the six striking shop
crafts, replying to his proclamation
and setting forth the viewpoint Of
the striking workers. So far as
could be learned at the White
House tonight the president had
not determined whether the tele-
gram called for a reply.
The proclamation Of the presi-
dent, to which the employees tele-
gram took exception as based on
incomplete Information was
commended by the board Of di-
rectors of the chamber, of COM
merce of the United States in a
resolution which called upon busi-
ness organizations Of the country
to assume leadership in crystailiz-
ing public sentiment in upholding
the president.
The attempt Of the striking
railroad employees to enforce their
own views through methods of in
dastrial war." the resolution added,
should meet the condemnation of
al who believe in orderly process
OF settlement"
The president also received dur
ing the day a letter from Postmas-
ter General Work, stating that a
survey just completed showed that
$4,000 motor vehicles could be
made ready on "a hours. notice
to carry the mails in event the
railroads found it Impossible to do
so. Supplementing this the Aero
nautie Chamber of Commerce Of
america. with headquarters in New
York, notified DR.. Work that it was
prepared to mobilize into an aerial
mail feet all commercial airplanes
in use in the United States and
that such planes would be capable
OF transporting 100000 first class
letters daily.
The bureau of aeronautics Of the
navy likewise came forward. stat
ing it had at its disposal hundreds
of lard and seaplanes scattered IN
squadron units from Newport to
San Diego which at a word from
the proper. authority could be put
into the air carrying mail Or other
commodities.
Dallas. Texas. July Is fBy the
Associated Press State troops
will not be ordered out to protect
property of the Missouri. Kansas
& Texas railroad in Texas at this
time" Governor Pat NJ. Neff said
here tonight. after reading the tele-
gram of Secretary War Weeks rel
alive to the railroad strike situa-
ton at Dennison.
Chicago. July ia strike call