New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-06
Marshals in Many Cities
Act on Orders From At
torney General
Socialist Papers
In Chicago Taken
Move Follows Nationwide
Inquiry Into Sedition
Charges

WASHlNGION, sept. o.--lhH gov
ernment to-day took drastic action n
end the anti-war propaganda and &C
tiyities 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 msrshals in
many towns and cities descended at
p. m., central time, upon local head
quarters Of the Industrial Workers OF
the World, seized books, checks, CORE
spondence and other documents, and. in
some instances, arrested officials found
upon the premises.
In Chicago, Federal agents took pos.
session of the national headquarters Of
the Socialist party, and warrant at
thorizing the seizure Of its documents
was served upon its counsel
Haywood Is Questioned
Among the places visited was N.
home Of William ID. Haywood, interns-
tional secretary OF the I. ". W.
Haywood was taken into custody At
the I. ". W headquarters. but was not
formally arrested. lie was taken TO the
Federal Building with J. Louis Engdahl.
a writer FOR the Socialist paper, but
after being questioned they were al
lowed 70 90 under guard.
al expected this" Haywood said, when
his Office was entered. when the
President appointed Chief Justice Gov
ington to investigate the J. ". W,
wrote to him offering him any assist
snce in the inquiry ne was about -
make. I received no reply. and sup
pose this is his answer. will help
the authorities here as much as | can
Haywood later accompanied the off,
cals 10 his residence, where his effects
were examined.
The seizure of documents was carried
out in accordance With plan perfected
here by William c. Fits, Assistant A.
torney General, working under the d.
rection of the Attorney General
Grand Jury Investigating |. W. ".
A statement issued by the Depart
ment of Justice announced that the
seizure OF papers was made in connec-
tion with a Federal grand jury irvesti-
CATION OF the Industrial Workers Of IN.
World now proceeding ut Chicago
The departments action was taken
on the eve OF a report 10 President
Wilson by Chief Justice Covington, o.
the Supreme Court of the District o.
Columbia, who was designated recently
by the President to investigate the
labor situation in the West.
Judge Covington has completed his
investigation, which lasted several
weeks and took him to the Pacific
Coast. He probably will report per
sonslly 70 President Wilson tomorrow.
Whether the concerted action OF
marshals throughout the country was
in any way related 20 Judge Coving-
tons investigation was not disclosed.
Il is known, however, that Judge Gov
ington made a special study of the ac.
the World. II was soon after he reached
the Northwest that twenty-seven lead
ers of the organization we're arrested
by Idaho National Guardsmen the day
before the time set for a general strike
in Washington, Oregon, Montana and
Idaho.
Charges Not Made Public
The charges against leaders Of the
organization under arrest, or whose ar
rest is contemplated. were not made
public here. II was said at the Depart
ment of Justice that these would hav.
to be determined BY the grand jury in
vestigstng the organization
Officials also declined TO state IL in
dictments had been found by grand
juries in Chicago or elsewhere against
Industrial Workers OF the World lead
ers. IL was intimated. however, that
the investigation had only begun. In
dications are that Federal grand juries
in other cities will be called upon also
70 investigate the activities of the or
ganization.
For many weeks the activities OF In
dustrial Workers of the World leader,
have been under close scrutiny OF the
departments Bureau Of Invest cation.
Scores of field workers. chiefly IN the
West and Middle West, have devoted
their undivided attention TO alleged at
tempts on the part OF leaders 20 en-.
barrass the government in the conduct
Of the war by strikes and other dis.
turbances called in the name Of labor.
These activities have never been re
gsrded here ss q labor movement. They
have been held 20 be political and, in
some instances, conducted with a view
solely 20 hinder and hamper the gov
ernment in exercising its full strength
in carrying on the war
Austrians Active In Strife
Charges OF many compilations have
been received By the department in con
nection with the organizations actiyi-
ties. Recently Il was charged that m.
cluded in the ranks OF the Industrial
Workers of the World were many Aus
trians who have been active in stirring
up strife intended 70 hamper American
industries doing work handled by Ger,
mans before the United States deelareo
a state OF war existing with Germsny' 4.
Continued Investigation has failea,
is understood, TO connect these aetVI
with German money. The dePsrtmsn.
has determined the principal reservoirs