The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-09-07

On Sunday, August 10Th, de-
tachment of federal troops stationed
in the city of Spokane, acting un-
der orders, closed the l. W. w.
headquarters in that city and placed
under arrest twenty-six men alleged
to be leaders and members of that
organization, holding them as mill
tary prisoners.
Following this action the Central
Labor Council of that city formally
protested by resolution against what
was deemed an illegal arrest. The
resolutions condemned the actions of
the state, county and city authorities
in bringing about federal interven-
tion in the local situation in the alb
sence of any violations of law by
the arrested men; called upon all
union men who were members of
state and local war boards or COM
missions to resign; demanded, as a
further protest, that President Marsh
of the State Federation of Labor
and Samuel Gompers of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor join call
ing general strike of all industry
"until such time as may be necessary
to insure observation of the law and
the constitution by officers sworn to
uphold both"
Realizing the gravity of the situa-
tio a special meeting of the labor
committee of the State Council of
Defense was called by the chairman
to consider the matter. 1t was de-
cided to send a special committee to
Spokane to investigate the arrest
from all angles. Such a committee
was appointed and visited Spokane,
August 9th. The committee con-
sisted of E. P. Marsh, President of
the State Federation of Labor; ]. G.
Brown, President of the International
Single Weavers Union; P. w. Dow
Ter, general organizer Brotherhood of
Carpenters. This committee con-
ferred with leading members of Spo-
kane unions; met in executive session
with the Central Labor Council; con-
ferred at length with the county COM
mlssloners, the city commissioners,
the prosecuting attorney and the
sheriff. Statements were also taken
from Governor Lister and E. F.
Blaine, Chairman of the Public Serv-
ice Commission and personal repre-
sentative of the governor. From
all the testimony presented the com
mittee tried to arrive at the motives
governing the authorities in calling
for federal intervention, the immedi-
ate facts surrounding the arrest. the
subsequent treatment of the arrested
men and the reasons impelling the
Central Labor Council to formally
protest. The sub committee report
ed its findings to the Labor Commit
tee of the State Council of Defense
and this statement of the situation
is given to the public as the findings
OF the committee, together with its
conclusions and recommendations
Due to the strike activities of the
Industrial Workers of the World in
the northwestern group of states, the
insidious doctrines of that organiza-
tion, a fear of wholesale depreda-
tions and possible destruction of
property was created in the minds of
many citizens and a constant clamor
for drastic action in dealing with the
situation arose. Whether the fears
were we'll grounded or not, the fact
remained that a state of terror ex-
listed in several localities, citizens
were arming themselves for defense.
The press was greatly aggravating
the situation in its prominent dis
play of every wild rumor in circula-
tlon, making the l. w. w. and its
activities the leading news and edi-
torial subject of it's columns. Feel
ing that situation might arise be-
yond the control of local authorities.
federal authorities in the several
states were appealed to for aid and
troops were placed in various locaH-
ties where the need for same seemed
to exist.
The governor of this state and the
state defense council were later ad
vised that in several localities charges
were being made that men were ar
rested by federal troops and unjust
ly detained. Accordingly the gov
ernor commissioned Mr.. E. F. Blaine
and Scott Henderson, assistant at
torney general, to make a personal
investigation, interview the men in
dividually and recommend to the fed
eral authorities that all those be
released who after careful enquiry.
did not apDear to he q manoca +o