Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-08-17
FEDERAL OFFICIALS READY TO
SMASH |. w. w. MENACE IN
SEVEN STATES.
SUMMARY JUSTICE FOR
ENEMY coNSPIRAToRs
Prosecutions to Be Extended to All In
dustries Engaged in Making War
Matsriais or Producing Food Supplies
For SoIdiers-AeropIane Work and
Copper Supply Imperiled.

Washington, Aug. 17--Drastic power
granted President Wilson in the war
resolution passed by congress will be
used to prevent any attempt by the In
dustrial Workers Of the World to pre-
vent or delay the harvesting Of the
crops of the nation.
The United States department OF JUS
tice is ready also to deal summarily
with members of the l. w. w. who in
terfere with the continuation at high
speed of industries deemed vital TO the
prosecution Of the war, it was an
nounced yesterday. Prosecutions under
the espionage act or on charges OF
conspiracy are planned.
The Industrial Workers of the World
are known to have outlined preten-
tious program for strikes, lockOuts, sa-
botage, and general disturbances in at
least seven states, covering about one
fourth the area of the nation,
See Plot to Hamper U. S.
These disturbances, if carried out,
would menace seriously not only the
harvesting of the crops but would cur
tail the production of copper and other
war metals, endanger the supply Of
spruce for aeroplanes and otherwise
embarrass the government in its pre-
parations for fighting Germany.
The entire movement, eliminating
yesterday in the declaration at Spokane
of James Rowan, district secretary OF
the organization, that general strike
would be called Aug. 20, in Washington,
Oregon, Montana, and Idaho unless GER
tain demands were compiled with, is
regarded by many officials as being
political and not a labor movement. In
structions have been sent field workers
to determine as far as can be done,
whether the threatened strike is part
of program deliberately designed TO
hamper the government in the prose-
cution of the war.
Urge Quick Prosecutions.
District attorneys in the four states
affected, as we'll as in California, Ariz-
ona and New Mexico, have been in
structed to devote unceasng attention
to the situation and to institute prose-
cutions promptly where justified.
Officials here were much interested
yesterday in Rowan's demand for ten
ganized movement, it was said. tend.
ing or prevent delay the harvesting of
the country's crops in any section would
come clearly within the class of sub
jects with which the president can deal
quickly under his summary war pow
ers
Menaeed AeropIane Work.
Joint state and federal investigation
of the lumber industry in the north
west will be requested by Governor
Lister OF the state OF Washington as
the next step toward compelling set
tiement OF the strike of western Wash
ington mill workers, unless employers
and employees reach an agreement by
Saturday night, according to a declara-
ton made yesterday by the governor
says dispatch from Seattle.
The strikes in the lumber camps have
threatened the supply of spruce logs
needed by air craft manufacturers. The
hand today. but United States officials
are watching it closely
Thru widespread activities. trace
able to I. w. w. sympathizers in the
logging camps Of WASHINGTON. spruce
iOSS, uSeu III DulIOlnS arplaDeS, nave
been damaged and destroyed, it was
said. in great quantities and the ma
chinery used to convert the logs into
lumber has been damaged in many in
stances by hidden spikes driven into
the logs.
Inperi Copper Supply.
A third industry which might be seri-
ously affected by general / W. W.
strikes It is said, is copper mining in
Montana.
Senators who want legislation to deal
with the I. w. W. situation agreed YES
terday TO join in drafting a bill des-
ignated to curb improper activities
without injuring interests Of organized
labor
A bill introduced yesterday by Sen
ator King provides for the punishment
Of persons who bring about breaking
Of contracts made by the United States
for the manufacture and transportation
of things needed by the government.
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