The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-08-24

is state OF lawlessness shocking TO
every conception of Americna law and
order, At no time has the federal gov
eminent been unready or unwilling to
give its support but in no case has
state authority confessed its inability
to cope with the situation, and asked
for federal assistance.
Threatens to Break transportation.
Under these conditions of hinder
ance and intimidation there has been
such lack of care or motive power
as to threaten the breakdown of trans
portation. This very serious menace is
manifest by millions of losses to fruit
growers and other producers of perish
able foodstuffs. and comparable losses
to farmers. Even worse it is hinder
ing the transport of available coal
when industry is on the verge of par
alysis and life and health are mem
aced. Surely the threatening condi-
tions must impress the Congress and
the country that no body of men shall
be permitted to choose course which
imperils public welfare.
iUnquestioned Rights Fundamental.
at is fundamental to all freedom
that all men have unquestioned rights
to lawful pursuits to work and to live
and choose their own lawful ways to
happiness. In these strikes these
rights have~been denied by assault and
violence, by armed lawlessness. These
conditions cannot remain in free Amer
lea. If free men cannot toll according
to their own lawful choosing, all our
constitutional guarantees borne of de-
mocracy are surrendered to mobocracy.
''It is not my thought to ask Con-
gress to deal with these fundamental
problems at this time. There is exist
ing law by which to settle the prevail
ing disputes. 1t is my purpose to in
woke these laws, civil and commercial,
against all offenders alike.
"The legal safeguarding against life
menaces in the future must be worked
out when no passion esways.
Wants Protection of Aliens.
"One specific thing must ask at
your hands at the earliest possible mo-
ment. There is pending bill to pro-
vide for the better protection of aliens
and for the enforcement of their trea-
ty rights. &
"The matter has been before Con-
gress on many previous occasions, sew
eral Presidents have been faced with
this problem. ~
envy renewal of this oft-made rec
ommendation is impeiled by pitable
sense of federal impotence to deal
with the shocking crime at Herrin,
Ills, which so. recently shamed and
mortified the country. In that butch
cry Of human beings, wrought in mad
ness, it is alleged that two aliens were
murdered.
"Had it happened in any other land
than our own we should have pitied
the civilization that would tolerate
and sorrow for the government, un-
willing or unable. Ito mete out just
punishment
I Herrin Massacre a Blot.
cit is ,deplorable that there are or
can be American communities where
even there are citizens, not to speak
Of public officials, who believe mob
warfare is admissible to cure any situa-
ton. / wish the federal government TO
be able to put an end to such crimes
against civilization and punish those
who sanction them.
Gin the weeks of patient conference,
I have come to appralse another ele-
ment in the engrossing industrial dis
pute. I refer to the warfare on the
unions of labor. ihe government has
no sympathy or approval for this ele-
ment of discord in the ranks of indus
try. We recognize these organizations
in the law, and we must accredit them
with incalculable contribution to Ia
bors uplift.
Use All Nations Power.
But we must check the abuses and
the excuses which conflict with public
interest we must reassert the doctrine
that in this republic the first ohliga-
ton and the first allegiance of every
citizen, high or low, is to his govern
ment. No matter what clouds may
gather, no matter, what storms may
\ensue, no matter what hardships may
attend or what sacrifice may be neces-
sary, government by law must and
will be sustained.
"Wherefore, l am resolved to use all
tine power of the government to main
tain transportation, and sustain the
right of men to work.