Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-08
|. ". v. RAIDS SHOW.
NATIONWIDE PLOTS.
TOHALT WAR PLANS
Numerous indictments for
Conspiracy Appear to
Be in Prospect.
RAMIFICATIONs EXTEND
VIRTUALLY TO ALL STATES
Anti-German Activities Appar-
entity Enanate From Single
Group of Conspirators.
FINANCED BY GERMAN MoNEI
Federal Inquiry Most Comprehensive
OF Any Launched Since Be-
ginning OF War.
BY GERMAN MoNE1
fBy Annotated presr.l

WAShlNG1ON. september 1-Num-
erous indictments for conspiracy to
thwart the governments war plans
and tie It's hands In many ways ap
pear to be in prospect result Of
Wednesdays nationwide raid OF In
dustrial Workers of the World Offices
by. Department OF Justice agents.
Evidence is said to DC fas. accumu-
latinG to support the belief that a
gigantic conspiracy has existed for
some time past TO cripple the govern
ment in carrying Oh the war. that It's
ramifcations have extended virtually
to every State, and that numerous an
tiwar activities which appeared to cma-
nate from many sources, In reality had
their fountain head In Il single group Of
conspirators.
Antidraft demonstrations. crippling
OF war industries by so-called labor
disturbances and by violence. burning
OF crops and continuous prcachment
OF antially sentiment, with other ac-
tivities tended to reiard the govern
ment in prosecuting the war. appear
from recent disclosures 20 have been
included within tho scope OF the al
legged conspiracy.
Into tho formation and the workings
OF this alleged conspiracy. the Depart
ment OF Justice has begun al inquiry
more comprehensive. II Is said. than
any launched since this country entered
tho war.
CONSPIRACY APPARENTLY
DIRECTED FItOM CHICAGO
How closely the. anti~ar activities
and propaganda have been inter-re-
lated Is to bo determined largely by
the Federal grand jury. now sitting
at Chicago, investigating documents
seized by government agents in their
raids on Wednesday OF l. w. w. and
Socialist Offices OF that city and
throughout the country. .ldications
are that the alleged conspiracy had its
origin in Chicago and -:as ac.Iv-.y di-
rected from that city.
There are also Indications that Ger
man money financed. In part. this pro-
paganda. and VAS spent freely in many
ways to further the ends OF the con-
spirators.
The grand jury Inquiry will not be
confned. from present Indications. to
Chicago.
So vast is the accumulation OF let
MleTS, CneCkS dnQ papeTS OF all QeSCrfD-
tions seized by the government agents
that the great bulk still lies unsiftcd.
and the exact determination Of their
contents and Significance probably will
not be reached for several dr.s
William c. Fits. the Assistant Attor-
ney-General. wl.o conceived and direct
ed execution OF the idea OF a nation
wide seizure Of l. w. w. papers at a
prearranged hour. devoted virtually
of reports from all sections as to tho
results obtained.
THE results aie very satisfying"
was all that he would say.
GovERNMES7"S lands
GREATLl STRENGTiENED
The governments hands have been
greatly strengthened by the seizure Of
papers In contemplated proceedings
against persons identified with the l.
wv. w. and others who k, activities lave
been for some time u-i;,r surveillance.
Many OF these documents are said TO
relate to labor disturbances in tho
West and the Pacific Northwest.
Department OF Justice officials said
To-day that the investigation probably
will be prolonged. United States At
toIney Cline Is to be assisted by Frank
G. Daley, OF Indianapolis. and Frank
K. Nebeker, Of Salt Lake City, and the
entire investigate will be conducted
under the personal supervision of Will
liam c. Fits. Assistant Attorney-
General.