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Show Puniah the Guilty , RESPONSIBILITY for the Illinois mine disorders dis-orders and the attendant loss of twenty-one " lives, perhaps cannot be definitely fixed until the investigation now underway is concluded. In this probe there should be no relaxing of effort and no fear of influence or further violence. The Investigators owe it to the people of Illinois to see that the investigation Is complete and thorough, thor-ough, shielding no one and withholding nothing which will aid in the punishment of the guilty. The Illinois affair as it stands is a disgrace to the whole American people. The explanation, that it is but the logical result of a mob quickly formed, is not sufficient. It does not excuse the officers entrusted with the enforcement of law and order. It explains nothing in the mind of a critical world. The rirhts to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are fundamental principles of American government. All of these ideals are shattered when mob violence holds sway. The disgrace becomes national na-tional when the members of the mob o unpunished. unpun-ished. In view of these facts it is to be seen that only an honest and fearless course In the investigation investi-gation can remove the stigma which the mob has carried to Illinois. At this time it is difficult diffi-cult to fix responsibility. . I Opposing forces to the main conflict from which the killing grew blame each other. This is not calculated in the best Interests of either side to the controversy. It is up to both of these elements to give their undivided support to the investigation. W cannot conceive- that either party would sanction violence for a minute. In view of this fact; they should help to fix responsibility respon-sibility even though the consequences may fall on some of their own numbers. |