Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-16
Department of Justice Prepar-
ing to Deal Severely With
Anti-American Agitators.
STRIKE LEADERS TO BE
PROSECUTED PROMPTLY
Stopping of Labor in Fields. Spruce
Camps and Mines Declared
Menace to Nation.

stated today, is preparing to deal swiftly
and severely with activities in the north
west and elsewhere of the Industrial
Workers of the World in so far as they
relate to the stoppage or eurtailment of
production in industries the eontinua-
tion of which is deemed essential to the
prosecution of the war.
Any action, it is said. which would
tend to retard the harvesting of crops.
the production of spruce lumber essen
tial for the construction of aeroplanes
or to curtail the production of minerals
needed to carry on the war Will be met
by prosecution. on charges or con-
spiracy, against persons regarded as re-
sponsible for the institution of the
movement
Investigators at Work.
large force of investigators is in the
field in California. New Mexico. Arizona.
Washington. Oregon. Idaho and Montana.
checking up and reporting daily upon ac-
tivities of i. w. w. leaders Many indus
tries whose continuation is necessary TO
the prosecution of the war would be af-
fected. it is thought. by the threatened
general strike in the northwest
District attorneys through the entire
section have been instructed by the
department to institute promptly pro-
ceedings against strike leaders. where
such proceedings can be prosecuted un-
der the broad powers given the Presi-
dent by Congress in the war resolution.
Cessation of labor in the harvest
fields. in spruce logging camps or at
mines. il is thought, would come. clear
ly under the list of subjects which
could be dealt with by federal authori-
ties
Department officials here knew sew
eral days ago of the impending de-
mand of the Industrial Workers OF the
World in Washington. oregon. Idaho
Als Fun m0assaa assaii. Of the demand. wer. in
the hands of the department more than
forty-eight hours before they were an
nounced yesterday by James Rowan.
district secretary of the 1. w. W. at
Spokane.
Aircraft Building Menaced.
The construction of the great air.
craft feet which the government pro-
poses to send abroad has been serious
~ menaced. il was said. by widespread
activities traceable to /. W. W. svmpa-
thizers in the logging camps of Wash
ington- Spruce logs. used in building
airplaneS. have been damaged and de-
stroyed il was said, in great quantities.
logs into lumber damaged in many in
stances by hidden spikes driven into the
logs
Spruce is the only timber used in
building airplanes in this country and,
curtailment of the supply of logs has
menaced construction Of machines. The
situation, however, has been met, il
WAS said today. and the crisis of the
moment. it is believed. has been passed
Department officials have been ad-
vised of an attempt by l. W. W.
sympathizers to destroy the reserve
supply of spruce timber in the north
II, ali at Mt n
said, has been frustrated.
The activities of the !. w w are re-
garded by officials here as political
rather than a labor movement In in
stituting prosecution district attorneys
have been instructed to inquire into the
purposes of calling strikes. and to as
certain whether they were called to
enbarrass the government in the pro-
duction of necessary materials or for
other causes
There can be no general prosecution.
!. was said. of /. ". w leaders as such.
for strike activities. The industries af-
fected, their relation to the prosecu-
ton ot the war and the purposes back
of calling the strike have to be con-
sidered in each individua. case. it was
said, as the basis of prosecution.
Senators Plan Bill.
Senators who want legislation to deal
with the /. w. W. situation conferred
today and agreed to join in drafting a
bill for introduction by Senator Hollis
designed to curb improper activities
without injuring interests of organized
labor.
Another bill aimed to reach activi-
ties of members of the I. W. w. was
introduced today by Senator King. 1t
provides for the punishment of persons
who bring about the breaking of con-
tracts made by the United States for
the manufacture or transportation of
needed %