Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-06

ment today took drastic action to end
 the anti-war propaganda and activities conducted in the name of the Indus l trial Workers of the World. the social- ist party and other organizations | throughout the United States. On or 1 ders from Attorney Genera: Gregory, United. States marshals in many towns and cities descended at ? D m., central time, upon local headquarters of the | Industrial Workers Of the World, seized l books, checks, correspondence and other documents, and in some instances arrested officials found upor the prem ises. Tn. arrest at Chicago of William D. Haywood, the organizations na- | tional secretary was a conspicuous | example.
 In Chic ago, federal agents took pos session of the national headquarters of the socialist party and a warrant authorizing the seizure of it's docu-
 ments was served upon it's counsel The seizure of documents was car ried out in accordance with a plan per fected here by William 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 a federal grand jury investigation of the In ndustrial Workers of the World now proceeding at Chicago.
 |" Report on l. w. w. Today.
 The departments action was taken on the eve of d report to President Wilson ivy Chief Justice i'ovington of the sup -eme court of the District of Columbia, who was designated recently by the pl esident to investigate the la bor situation in the west.
 Judge Covingt'.n has completed his investigation, which laSted seveI11 weeks, and took him to the Pacific coast. and probably will report per sonally to President Wilson tomorrow
 Whether the concerted action of mar
 
 any way related to Judge Covington's investigation was nos disclosed. It is known, however, that Judge Covington made a special study of the activities of the industrial Workers of the World. It was shortly after he reach ed the northwest that twenty-seven leaders of the organiza tior were ar rested by Idaho national guardsmen the day before the time set for Ia general strike in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho.
 The charges against leaders of the organization under arrest or whose ar rest is contemplated were not made public here. It 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 dictmente had been founo by grand juries in Chicago or elsewhere against | Industrial Workers of the World lead 1 CTS. It was intimated, however, that | the investigation had only begun h. l dications are that federal grand ,juries | in other cities will be called upon also i to investigate the activities of the or ganizatiOn.
 Leaders Have Been Watched.
 For many weeks past the activities of Industrial Workers of the World l leaders have been under close scrutiny l ofs the departments bureau of investi- gation. Scores of field workers, chief ly in thY west and middle west, have | devoted their undivided attention to alleged attempts on the par1 of leaders to embarraSS the government in the conduct of the war by strikes and other called in the name of labor.
 These activities have never been re- garded rere as a labor movement They have been held to be political and, in some instances, conducted with a view solely to hinder and hampe.. the gov in exercising the full strength n carrying on the war.
 Charges of many compleyions have been received by the department in connection with the organlzation's ac- ,ivities. Recently it was charged that included in the ranks of the Industrial Workers of the World were many Aus rians who have been active in stirring ID strife intended to hamper Ameri- ,an industries, doing work handled by Germans before the United States de- dared a state of war existing with { IerIndny.
 No German Money Used.
 Continued investigation las failed. it 8 understood, to connect these activi- : ies with German money. The depart nent has determined the principal res- ! rvoirs Of German funds in this coun- ry and, it is reported. has not con- . lected item with recent disorders in he west and southwest
 Local United States attorneys have | eported many instances of a suspi- | ious nature in connection with the all z eeed labor troubles. however, and these ave been the subject of departmental nvestigat ation.
 As result Of the country wide C eizure Of the organizations papers, he depArtmen of justice tonight finds self in possession of documents by he thousand, many of which will be ubmitted to grand juries as the basis F f an investigation to determine F Thether leaders can be prosecuted. r Prosecutions may be begun under r evera1 laws, chiefly the espionage act, g oYering the utterauces of trea soma hla C