Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-11-25
VIII Employ Every Resource to
Run Down and Punish Those
Who Plot Violence against
American Industries.
STATE: COOPERATION URGED
Atty.-Gen. Grcgory's Statement
Is Directed against Those
Who Plan EXpio-.. and
Fires and Attempt to Intimi-
date WOrkmen.

Washington. Nov. 2,.-OTicial notice
OF the United States governments In
tcntion to employ all its resources in
running down and Furnishing those re-
sponsble for factory explosions. intml-
daton of labor and other acts of vio-
lencc agains, American industries is
coupled in a statement issued tonight
by Attorney-Gcneral Gregory with an
appeal to State authorities to he equally
vigorous in dealing with lawlessness be-
Nond the reach of federal statutes.
''Information indicating attacks upon
lawfri american industries and COM
mere, htough incendiary fires and ex-
plos.one in factories. threats to intimi-
date employees and other acts of vio-
lonce," says the statement, has so
often developed during the past few
months as to demand searching invest-
cations and prosecutions. The depart
nent of justice will continue unremit
tngly to investigate all such acts and
prosecute all developed violations of fed
eral statutcs seeking indictments under
the federal law prohibiting the interstate
transportation of explosives, the Sher-
man law. the law relating to conspiracy
TO commit an offense against or to de-
fraud the United States and the laws re-
lating to crimes on ships and on the
high seas.
Because, however. of our dual form
of government the federal criminal laws
are extremely limited in their scope.
Many crimes of violence, such as arson,
malicious destruction of property, etc.
can in general he punished in the fed
eral courts only when committed where
the United States has special jurisdic-
ton.
1T follows. therefore, that such at
tempts to injure and destroy American
industries must usually he prosecuted by
State authorities,
These conditions. so destructive to
the commerce and labor of the United
States. require vigorous action on the
part of all agencies Of the State and fed
eral governments. 1t is, therefore, to
he earnestly hoped that State officials
will be equally active.
81 have instructed the agents OF the
department of justice. whenever they
discover evidence of violations of State
criminal laws, to place the evidence at
the disposal OF the local State officials,
and | assume that such officials will
cooperate in acquainting the federal
officers with all information tending to
show the commission Of federal crimes"
There have been various official intima-
tions during the past few days of the
Eovernmcnts purpose to be more than
ever active in seeking out offenders
against the neutrality and criminal laws
of the United States by agents or sym
pathizcrs Of European hclligerents. re-
cent department of justice statement told
Of plans for further investigation of the
Gctvities of Austrian Consul-General
Won Nuber, at New York, and his as
soCiates, and said that information had
been obtained which probably would lead
to additional indictments for passport
frauds
The noN-actlon of State authorities
PARTICULARS in cases of incendiary Ares
has been commented upon here, and Off
Gals say that there must be close CO.
operation between State and federal Of
fcers. and labor leaders as WELL before
the lawlessness can be suppressed.