American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-07-13
burn up

I'VE had affidavits from all the
lumber interests and some of the Ia
boring men. We had sworn state
ments from sheriffs and foremen.
They said that they had done every
thing in their power to protect the
men and while they had protected
lives they could not combat with the
6erce war of intimidation that the
1. w. W. was carrying on
"The civil authorities said they
we're unable to cope withe growing
situation. There are 5000 IDLE men
in the northern Idaho wods TO-DAY.
Conncil Demanded L. ;. Troops
"rbe council. without a dissenting
,,o+a demanded federal troops. But
tha GOVERNOR thought that the local
authorities could handle the SITUATION
deenite the evidence presented by the
local authorities themselves.
at was stated that if the federal
s,overnment did not take a hand that
fbe W. w. would probably destroy
oil of the timber in northern ldaho'
every timberman said that govern
ment troops we're the only salVation
Thev said that unless the federal au-
tborities took a hand they would ratn-
or close down their mills. They stated
emnhatically that they could not pro-
ceed under present conditions and
said that the situation had got far pc
vond the control of the local authorl-
ties.
"But the governor refused to pay
attention to any of this.
The sheriff of Layah county told
of arresting seven l. W. W. for circu-
lating among the cherry pickers anc
fomenting trouble. These men saic
they we're members of the agriculture
department of the l. W. W. There
are three departments: the agricultur
al, the timber and the land.
THE seven men admitted goinG
down to Latah county to call strike
When they we're searched, the sheriff
found a large quantity of copper OF
each man. This they had wrapped VI
very carefully. Upon investigation
} was found that they had used this cop
per for destructive purposes in Cali
fornia. They drive it into the trees
and the acid from the copper destroy
the tree. This was part of the testi
! mony given to the council by the sher
iff
Many Getting Money.
"We found that money is bein
telegraphed to the l. w. W. throug
: the banks in northern Idaho Som
sums run as high as $500. A grea
number of the men are foreigner
I many Austrians, and We recommend
ed that they be arrested and held i
detention camps until after the wa
2 and then sent back to their ow
e countries.
But these suggestions we're ignoi
ed.
: "One mill owner told the governC
!. that If he operated with the INSULT
|. cient protection of the civil author
I ties he would hold the state respOl
r. sible for any damage that was dor
i, to his property.
i Every mill owner that appeart
{ before the council stated emphatica
:. ly that it would be suicidal to CO.
X tinue operations unless governme
> troops we're sent to the rescue.
Governor Refuses to Assent.
The council used the entire di
u Monday for the examination of W
nesses. But after the great volur
d of testimony we received along II
Z single line we were unable to co
:, vince the governor that federal acti
v was necessary.
=, I'VE regret very much the relatio
~ ship between the governor and
~ council, but it was not the fault
the council as the governor has I
- paid the slightest attention to a
~ suggestion or recommendation ma
by the council.
The members of the council I
!, only felt that L. S. troops we're nee
g sary. but we recommended that
10 people Of the northern part OF
~ ~ state should organize themselves il
~ bodies for the protection of their o
-io property Everyone in the north'
90 part of Idaho should organize.
Fires have already been start
nc and the country is dry