The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-09-07

citizens, all combined in their opin-
ion to create a condition which only
federal control could handle.
This committee believes, after sift-
ing the evidence presented that in
view of the fact that the /. w. w.
had openly defied the governor of
the state in demanding the release
of federal prisoners, some of whom
were charged with offenses against
the U. S. government, and threaten
ing to tie up the harvesting of the
food crop unless the governor COM
piled with the demand; in view of the
fact that the men held prisoners
in the various localities were being
released as fast as the authorities
could examine the men and were con-
WINGED that they were not dangerous
to the peace of the community; in
view of the further fact that it is
highly probable that all. would have
been shortly released except those
against whom the government could
prove federal guilt; in view of the
fact that the city and county autori-
ties of Spokane viewed the situation
to be in such a serious condition as
to pass shortly beyond their control
and so wired the governor for assist
ance in handling the situation; the
committee believes the governor of
this state acted honestly and fearless
ly in meeting the situation and is
deserving of no word of criticism nor
censure in the course he pursued.
This committee wishes to empha-
size the state of affairs found in
Spokane concerning the bitter oppo-
sition to the labor movement in that
city. The committee was shown
copy of proposed ordinance which
the enemies of organized labor were
preparing to attempt to force to
passage. This ordinance, ostensibly
aimed at the l. w. w., was so sweep
ing and drastic as to effectually
curb the legitimate expression of the
aims and objects of organized la
Dor. The constant attitude of a
portion of the Spokane press toward
the trade unions has not helped to
clear the situation. This commit
tee wishes to emphatically assert that
the best and surest way to eliminate
l.. w. w. Influence, is to join hands
with the legitimate trade union
movement of this country in it's
laudable endeavor to make brighter
the lives of the workers through the
medium of constructive sane methods.
This committee regrets the whole
attitude of the press on this ques-
ton. 1t is firmly of the opinion
that much of the l. w. w. movement
would have died of inertia had the
press not fomented prejudice, stirred
up class hatred, by publication of the
widest rumors concerning I. w. w.
activity, rumors which had no foun-
dation in fact and which, when ex-
ploded, tended to bring sympathy
to the /. w. w. which normally it
would not have received and to
which, as an organization it was
not entitled.
The committee wishes to conclude
this statement with few words
concerning the l. w. w. movement
itself. 1t believes the l. w. w.
PHILOSOPHERS to be founded on ut
ter fallacy. 1t believes its tactics
to be destructive and productive of
no lasting good to labor. No move
ment founded on utter hatred and
contempt of all things and all men
not subscribing into it's fantastic doc
trines, is safe. 1t is dangerous, I'M
American, illegitimate, and without
the pale of society's respect. We
disapprove absolutely of this organ
lzation's teachings and it's practices.
We believe the trade union move
ment has everything to lose and
nothing to gain through Identified
ton through actual support or by in
ference with the |. w. w. We have
convincing proof that the /. w. w.
openly and avowedly plans the utter
destruction of the existing trade
union movement and seeks to build
Its structure on trade union ruins.
There is no possible compromise be-
tween the trade union movement and
the l. W. w. We recognize that
there are many within the ranks of
that organization who are inherently
lawabiding, self-respecting citizens,
but feel that they cannot long re-
main SO if under teaching of that
pernicious organization. The com