Evening star., 1934-09-14
A Lesson Might Be Helpful.

Calling out the National Guard to
preserve order in the States has al
most become q matter Of routine In
the past months Of Industrial warfare.
The process Is relatively simple. The
state troops may be called upon to
perform about as many duties. and
under as many different circum-
stances, as there are States. But the
Intervention of Federal troops in the
affairs of a State is another matter
entirely. Article 4, section 4 Of the
Constitution provides that:
The United States shall guarantee
20 every State in this Union repub-
1ican form of government, and shall
protect each Of them against tnva-
sion; and on application of the Legis-
lature or Of the executive (when the
Legislature cannot be convened)
against domestic violence.
But even should the executive Of
State, or the Legislature. or both re-
quest Federal troops, the President
- the judge whether the State has
itself exhausted its resources to COM
bat insurrection or violence. He may
Or may not send the troops.
The wisdom of these various SAFE
guards against precipitate use Of Fed
eral troops in the States is, Of course,
obvious. Use Of Federal troops against
civilians always creates antasonism,
provolkes widespread criticism Of the
central government. regardless Of the
circumstances. No State government
willingly admits surrender and calls
for Intervention by the Federal au-
thorities, and no administration will
ingly undertakes the risk Of . po-
litical boomerang by hasty use Of
Federal troops.
After several days and . night OF
increasing disorder, which rejected
not only the strike, but the work Of
hoodlums, spurred on by wild-eyed
sritators. Rhode Island's Governor
has asked for Federal troops and
the Iegislatzre has the matter under
advisement. The calm which has
succeeded the disorders Of Tues
day, wednesday and "wednesday
night may persuade the Legislature
against granting the Governors re-
quest. Certainly it win be better for
IN concerned If the use Of Federal
troops Is avoided.
But Il the disorder continues, Fed
eral troops should be sent into Rhode
Island, II for no other reason than
10 assure the peaceful citizens OF
that and other States that the strong
arm of the Federal Government
stands ready to protect them. There
are times when such assurance y
needed. Even the use Of State troops
has been protested by MIR. oorman.
chairman of the textile strike COM
mittee, on the theory that such troops
are merely the tools Of the special
interests" and the private army Of
the mill owners" the protest appar-
entity rejecting . state Of mind that
condones force and violence on one
side, but refuses to recognize the
right Of defense against such force
and violence.
1t would be fortunate thing If the
textile and other strikes could be
brought to peaceful settlement with
out the use Of any armed forces or
without Government Intervention in
any form. That Is apparently i'm
possible. If Federal troops are neces-
sary to teach the lesson that Gov
ernment Is supreme, and able to guar
antee citizens against loss of life and
damage to property by hoodlums-
no matter who instigates them or
why-then the quicker the troops are
used the better.
The National Governments correct
sympathy with the principle of col
lectiye bargaining and the rights oi
labor Is not to be misinterpreted a.
condoning violence and bloodshed.