The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-09-06
OFFICERS RAID
LOCAL OFFICES
In MANY CITIES
Seize Immense Quantities
of Literature and Make
Several Arrests
HAYWOOD TAKEN
INTO CUSTODY
Justice Covington Due To
Present His Report to
The President
CBy Associated Press.)

CBy Associated Press.)
Washington, Sept. g.
Nationwide seizure by the
government of documents
of the L. w. w. was said to-
day to be but one step In
the campaign which the de-
partment of justice is pre-
pared to conduct against
disloyalty and sedition.
From now on organiza-
tions and individuals whose
utterances and activity
have given grounds for sus-
picion of disloyalty will be
under stricter surveillance
and more drastic measures
will be pursued in dealing
with them
For months the govern
ment has been collecting a
tremendous amount of evi-
dence which can be utilized
In connection with yester-
days seizure of I.W. w.
papers and other prosecu-
tions contemplated IN the
near future.
washington. Sept. e.--'rhe govern
ment yesterday took drastic meas
ures to end the anti-war propaganda
and activities conducted in the name
of the Industrial Workers of the
World, the Socialist party and other
organizations throughout the United
States.
on orders from Attorney. General.
Gregory, United States marshals in
many towEs and cities descended at
2 o'clock p. m, central time. upon
local headquarters of the Industrial
Workers of the World, seized books,
documents and in some instances ar
rested offlcials found upon the
premises. The arrest at Chicago Of
William d. Haywood, the organiza-
tion's national secretary, was e. con-
spicuous example.
In Chicago, federal agents took
possession of the National headquar-
ters of the Socialist party and war
rant authorizing the seizure Of its
documents was served upon its coun-
sci.
The seizure of documents was car
ried out in accordance with a plan
perfected here by William G. Fits,
assistant attorney general, working
Under the direction Of the attorney
general. A statement issued by the
department. of justice announced that
the seizure of papers was made in
connection with federal grand jury
investigation of the Industrial Work
ers Of the World now proceeding at
Chicago.
covinston Report.
The departments action was taken
on the eve of a report to President
Wilson by Chief Justice Covington
Of the supreme court Of the district
of Columbia, who was designated
recently by the President to investi-
Judge Covington has completed his
investigation which lasted several
weeks and took him to the Pacific
coast and probably will report per-
eonally to President Wilson today.
Whether the concerted action of
marshals throughout the country was
in any way related to Judge Coving-
tons investigation was not disclosed.
II is known however that Judge Cow
- 80. - -
activities Of the Industrial Workers
of the World. IL was shortly after
he reached the northwest that twen- |
ty-seven leaders OF the organization
were arrested by Idaho National |
guardsmen the day before the time |
set for a general strike in Washing
ton, Oregon, Montana and Idaho.
The charges against leaders of the
organization under arrest or whose
arrest is contemplated, were not
made public here.
II was aid at the department OF
iustice that these would have to be
determined by the grand jury tnves-
tigating the organization.
Officials also declined to state IL
indictments had been found by grand /
1uries in Chicago or elsewhere against
the Industrial Workers Of the World \
leaders. 1t was intimated. however, |
that the investigation had only be- !
gun. Indications are that federal
grand juries in other cities will be
called upon also to investigate the
activities Of the organization.
For many weeks past the activities |
Of Industrial Workers of the World /
leaders have been under close scru- /
tiny OF the departments bureau OF |
investigation. Scores of field work
ers, chiefly, in the west and middle 1
west have devoted their undivided /
attention to alleged attempts on the |
part Of leaders, TO enbarrass the gov
ernment in the conduct OF the war by 1
strikes and other disturbances called /
IN the name of labor.
Not Labor Movement.
These activities have never been /
regarded here as q labor movement. |
They have been held to be political /
and. In some instances, conducted /
with a view solely to hinder and /
hamper the government in exercising 4
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