Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1912-05-24
GETS THREATENING LETTERS
ATTORNEYS FOR THE WORKERS
ASSERT THE STORY IS
UNTRUE.
ASK TO See THE MISSIVES
THEY ARE INFORMED EPIsTLEs
HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER
AS EVIDENCE.

neys for members of the Industrial
Workers of the World, arrested during
the socalled free speech" campaign
characterized as ridiculous" today
the assertion made last night by
Chief of Police Wilson that six mem
bers of the organization, chosen Dy
lot, were known to be in San Diego
with the purpose of assassinatine
himself, Mayor James. z. Wadham,
District Attorney H. S. Utley and su-
perintendent Of Police John l. Sech,
on.
Attorney Fred H Moore, counsel
for several members OF the organiza-
tion, dismissed the matter with the
one word-''Ti ridiculous" Moores part
ner. Marcus w. Robbins. said:
"IIl admit there are hair-brainea
men among the Industrial Workers
just as there are among the vigil
lantes' of San Diego. l believe "a
matter was exaggerated and that
Chief Wilson and the other officials
are in no more dang I from the In
dustrial Workers than we are from
'vigilantes.s
The police were reported today as
still active in their attempt to place
the six men in custody Chief VIII
son was asked to show some OF the
threatening letters he said he nao
received and also the notes OF warn.
ing he asserted he mad had concern
ing the alleged assassination plot.
He stated all evidence in the case had
been sent to the federal authorities in
Los Angeles.
That he had knowledge of the ex-
istence of the citizens committee. or
so-called vigilantes" was admitted ON
the witness stand today by F. c..
Spalding, chairman of the San Diego
chamber of commerce. in the course
of hearings in contempt charges
against ]. M. Porter. alleged ''vigi-
lante" leader.
Spalding testified. however, that he
did not know that Porter had been
active among the alleged ''vigilantes
The court, composed OF the three SUI
perior court judges of San Diego
county sitting enbanc. said it wished
to know just what Attorney Fred II
Moore charged Porter with having
done before more testimony was of
fered. Moore said he wanted to show
that Porter's alleged acts were delib-
crate, not accidental, and that they
were "a part of system, which was
calculated to impede Moore's efforts
in behalf of his clients among the In
dustrial Workers of the World.
The court instructed him to show
some specific act on the part OF the
defendant before attempting to prove
a motive or system. Moore then
called his partner. Marcus W. Rob
bins. to the stand who testified that
the morning of May IS. he was taken
to the police station, where Moore
and his stenographer, W. s. Raw
Inns. also in the custody of officers.
had preceded him. All mad been TAX
en- there to be searched.
Just before 1 reached the station,
said Robbins. an automobile con-
tanning several men drew up at the
curb short distance away. Porter
and Hughey and others stepped out.
AS passed Porter, he said: We're
getting big game now After Moore,
Rawlins and myself were released by
the officers, Porter stepped forward
with the others who surrounded us.
Porter stood so close to Moore that
heir bodies almost touched. His face
was flushed, his teeth clenched and
his attitude aggressive.
He used much profanity and CALI