New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-20
POSSE PURSUES LAWYERS
Vigilantes of San Diego Hunt At
torneyS for |. W. w.
LATTER ACCUSE CITIZENS
District Attorney Denounces the
Statements of Gov. Johnscn's
Special Agent as False.
fBy Telegraph 10 The Tribune.

by Telegraph 10 The Tribune.
San Diego, Cal, May ia citizens COM
mittee hunted all day for Marcus W. Rob-
bins and Fred II. Moore, attorneys for the
Industrial Workers OF the World organiza-
ton here, but they had not been found at
late hour tonight. Their Office stenog-
rapher William S. Rawlins, also is miss
ing.
Signed statements were distributed by the
two attorneys last night charging that
their constitutional rights had been in
vaded by the so-called vigilantes and de-
claring that they had been threatened with
bodily harm unless they discontinued their
! efforts in behalf Of the Industrial Workers.
They also asserted that the Sheriff and
police refused to give them protection
Robbins and Moore are expected to APP
pear in court tomorrow to submit their
afldavlts against j. NJ. Porter and fifteen
others not named, who are cited to show
cause why they should not be punished
for contempt Of court. 1t is said Moore
hopes to prove that Porter and the fifteen
are members OF the vigilantes committee.
Porter's name was the first to be men
toned in connection with the crusade
against the lawless element which has In
vaded the city,
Regarding the charges against the Dis
trict Attorneys office here and San Diego
citizens generally in their conduct of the
Industrial Workers Of the World cases in
vestlgated by Harris Welnstock az a spe-
cial agent of Governor Johnson, in April,
District Attorney II. S. IItley was highly
indignant to-day that Welnstock should
make the statements attributed to him In
the press dispatches Of the report He said
The statement that the District Attorney
for San Diego County did not do his duty
is absolutely and unequiyocally raise, ana
shall hold him personally responsible tor
his statements. / know my duty, ana ne
evidently does not know his. Inc state
fnent that the right of free speech has Deen
trampled upon ls raise, ana Meiii .N,'or
could have found that out II he had taken
the trouble to investigate. That statement
renders his report useless, because IT Is
barren Of fact.
So far as / am concerned, neither w en-
stock nor any other official can say that or
me which IS untrue and unfounded. lie
manifested from the very start that ne
was unfamiliar with his own duties. con-
sdered his mission to this city an Insult
to the city and county officials who had
attempted TO enforce the law under lntoler-
able conditions which nave been rendered
worse by threats of assassination, ana !
any.
His unfamiarty with the duties Of the
District Attorney was so patent as 10
cause me TO smile when he inquired over
the telephone whether | did not want 10
cross-examne men in Los Angeles VINO
had made affidavits, which never was
permitted to see The gentleman invited
me to be present at his alleged nvestlga-
ton, which was crowded with men whom |
was then and still am engaged in prose-
cutting and which was conducted without
any oath being administered and at which
Weinstock received statements which my
investigation and knowledge OF the matters
referred to showed were without basis.
I have lived In San Diego for twenty
I've wears. and Il has always been a
peaceful community until the Industrial
Workers OF the World began preaching an
archistic doctrines here. ana the citizens. in
defence OF the nag protested after stand
ing IL for more than year. me CITY
Council i'm pursuance of the Constitution OF
the state. passed an ordinance, which mas
been upheld by the Appellate Court, ana as
a pretext for strife the Industrials WORKERS
OF the World allege that their rights OF
speech were violated. 49,
II there has been wantOn brutality bg
yigilantes or others. why is II that no COM
plaInt has been made to the grand jury
which has been in session for more thah
four months ar to me personally