Evening star., 1932-03-28
TENNESSEE APPEAL
OF STUDENTS VAIN
Group Expelled From Ken.
lucky Referred to Courts
by Gov. Horton.
BY the Associated Press.
AVA

BY the Associated Press.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 28.-A
group of college students protesting
against treatment they received from
officers who expelled them from the
Kentucky coal fields were described by
Gov. Henry H. Horton today as "unin-
vited guests" and were advised by him
to avoid Communism.
The Governor received them and
heard their protest but gave them little
encouragement as regards any action
he might take to discipline the officers
they said mistreatcd them.
In addition to advising them against
Communism he expressed the hope
they would not get into serious
trouble"
AS to their complaint they were mis-
treated by officers in Claiborne County.
Tenn. the Governor said he could call
out the State Militia only in the event
OF great uprising and that if they
1elt they had been treated unjuStly
they mad recourse to court action.
Communism Denied.
'The Governor can't take up every
case of assault and battery" he told
the students, who contended they were
niHl handled IN this State after having
been deported from Bell County, KY,
where they had gone to study condi-
tlonS in the mining district.
The Governor doesn't control the
sheriffs; they are responsible to the
people," he added.
Robert F. Hall of Mobile Ala, a
student of Columbia University and
spokesman for the group of six that
called on the Governor, emphasized the
students were not affiliated in any way
with Communists and that their mission
was peaceful one.
AS the students gathered in the
the Governors office after their un-
successful effort to see him at the
executive mansion shortly after dawn,
Hall outlined the "indignities" he said
they had been subjected to and asked
permission to read a statement of
protest.
The Governor asked him to proceed.
Governor Asks Questions.
Hall declared Sheriff Frank Riley
and Deputy Sheriff Robinson of Clai-
borne County. had violated their con-
stitutional rights, and that the latter
assaulted one of the visitors.
is that all you have TO Say?" in
quired the Governor when the reading
was concluded, and Hall replied that
1t was. Then the Governor began to
ask questions. He asked if Tennessee
officers had molested the students on
their way to Kentucky and Hall replied
in the negative.
Gov. Hort-n asked the purpose of
their trip. Hall said it was to study
RPnnnr17iP and S0Pi0lCOipo1 conditions in
the mine area.
Who invited you?" pursued the
executive.
we were not invited" responded
Hall.
You were unlimited guests, then"
replied the Governor.
I don't know about Kentucky" the
Governor continued, but you have got
no right in Tennessee to go into the
coal mines that belong to private in
dividuals unless you have the owners
permission or unless the State sends
you there for the purpose of making an
investigation. We have mine inspectors
to make investigations. Private prop
erty belongs TO individuals and any
one who goes on that property without
permission Is guilty of a crime"
Advised to Ask Permission.
The students insisted they were not
complaining about Kentucky to Gov.
Horton, but about their treatment in
Tennessee and said they had not sought
to enter any mines in this State They
asked If they did not have a right to
travel on the public highways
Gov. Horton replied that they did,
$50 long as you are law-abiding and
do not interfere with the use Of the
highways by thers." He told the group
If officers of Claiborne County had
"wrongfully arrested them" then the
officers are "amenable to the law"
I'VE welcome you to our parks and
other public places" the Governor con-
tfnued, but we don't want a lot of
Bolshevists, Communists and Anarchists
interfering with the dignity of Ten
nessee. Our people are at peace with
each other"
He advised the students that if thev
wanted to make a study of the mines.
''the proper way is to ask permission"
If they had a legitimate reason for
going, he said he felt permission would
be granted, but if the purpose is to stir
up strife, you will not be allowed to 60"
CHu00NEP TpApDCN