The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-09-07
Federal Authorities Arrest Many
Leaders and Seize Papers as
EHdence-ToOk Drastic Ac-
fion TO Put an End TO Anti
War Propaganda.

~ ASfS
Washington, Sept. 5.-The govern
ment today took drastic action to end
the anti-war propaganda and activi-
ties conducted in the name of the In
dustrial Workers of the World, tn.
Socialist party and other organiza-
tions throughout the United States.
On orders from Attorney General
Gregory, United States marshals in
many towns and cities descended upon
local headquarters of the Industrial
Workers of the World, seized books,
checks, correspondence and other doc
uments and in some instances arrest
ed officials found upon the premises.
In Chicago federal agents took pos
session of the national headquarters
of the Socialist party and warrant
authorizing the seizure of it's docu-
ments was served upon its counsel.
Grand Jury Investigating.
The seizure of documents was car
ried out in accordance with a plan
perfected here by William C. Fits,
assistant attorney general. The de-
partment 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.
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 recent
ly by the president to investigate the
labor situation in the West. Judge
Covington probably will report per-
sonally to President Wilson tomor-
row.
Whether the concerted action of
marshals throughout the country was
in any way related to Judge Coving-
toms inspection was not disclosed. It
is known, however, that Judge Cow
ington made a special study of the
activities of the Industrial Workers
of the World. 1t was shortly after
he reached the Northwest that 27 lead
ers of the organization were arrested
by Idaho National Guardsmen the day
before the time set for a general
strike in Washington, Oregon, Mon
tana and Idaho.
The charges against leaders of the
organization under arrest or whose
arrest is contemplated were not made
public here. 1t was said at the de-
partment of justice that these would
have to be determined by the grand
jury investigating the organization.
Officials also declined to state if in
dictments had been found by grand
juries in Chicago or elsewhere against
Industrial Workers of the World lead
ers. 1t was intimated, however, that
the investigation had only begun In
dications are hat federal grand iuries
in other cities will be called upon.
For many weeks past scores of field
workers of the departments bureau
of investigation have devoted their
undivided attention to alleged at
tempts on the part of I. w. w. leaders
to embarrass the government in the
conduct of the war by strikes and
other disturbances called in the name
of labor
Charges of many complexions have
been received by the department in
connection with the organizations ac
tlvlties. Recently it was charged that
included in the ranks of the Industrial
Workers of the World were many Aus
trians who have been active in stir
ring up strife intended to hamper
American industries, doing work hand
led by Germans before the United
States declared a state of war exist
ing with Germany.
Continued investigation has failed.
it is understood, to connect these ac
tivities with Germany money. Many
instances of suspicious nature in
connection with alleged labor trou-
bles, however, have been investigated.
AS result of the countrywide seiz-
ure of the organizations papers the
department of justice tonight finds it.
self in possession of documents by the
thousands, many of which will be sub
mitted to grand juries as the basis of
an investigation to determine whether
leaders can be prosecuted.
Prosecutions may be begun under
several laws, chiefly the espionage act,
covering the utterance of reasonable
and seditious statements, and the new
food control law.