The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-08-22
TRAITORS IN THE west.
NO ATTEMPT no MINIMIZE
STRIKE DANGER.
Quick and Vigorous Action to Be
Taken Against I. w. w. Leaders.

Washington. Aug. 16.-Grave men
ace to industries whose continuation
at high speed is deemed vital to the
prosecution of the war is seen by
officials here in the growing activi- |
ties of Industrial Workers Of the
World leaders on the Pacific coast
and in the Far Northwest. The
movement apparently is nearing its
maximum and the full scope of it's
powers is not minimized here. A
pretontious program calling for
strikes, lockouts and general disturb
ances over seven States. or about
one-fourth Of the area Of the coun-
try. has been brought to the atten-
ion of the department of Justice by
scores of expert field Investigators
now in the affected territory.
Swift and drastic action to check
the movement In so far as it would
cripple industries or curtail produc-
ton Of commodities necessary for
war is planned by department of
justice officials. In many instances,
however, the department labors un-
der the handicap Of being unable to
proceed until an overt act has been
performed.
Prosecution Of strike leaders, justi-
fed in tho opinion Of the department
on charges Of conspiracy or under the
espionage act. Is contemplated in
special cases but no general prosecu-
tion of the I. w. w. leaders is ex-
pected.
The entire movement, eliminating
yesterday in the declaration of James
Rowan. district leader of the organi-
cation. that a general strike would
be called August 20 in Washington,
| Oregon. Montana and Idaho unless
! certain demands were compiled with,
| Is regarded by many officials as being
political and not a labor movement.
instructions have been sent to field
workers to determine as far as can
| be done whether the threatened
strike is part Of program deliberate
ly designed to hamper the govern
ment in the prosecution of the war.
District attorneys in the four States
! affected. as we'll as in California, Ari-
zona and New Mexico. have been in
structed to devote unceasing attention
to the situation and to institute pros
ecutions promptly where justified.
Officials here were much interested
today In Rowan's demand for a ten
hour day in the harvest fields. Any
organized movement. it was said,
tending to prevent or delay the har-
vesting Of the country's crops in any
section would come clearly within
the class Of subjects with which the
president was authorized by congress
IN the war resolution to deal with
summarily. Another industry which
has already been affected to some ex-
tent by activities traceable to I. w.
w. sympathizers is spruce logging in
Washington. At one stage of the la.
Dor disturbances the governments
great program of aircraft construc
ton. expected to be menaced by the
situation in this industry, has been
restored more nearly to normal with
In the past few days. A third indus
try which might be seriously affected
by general I. w. w. strikes. it is said,
Is copper mining in Montana. The
government is following this ituation
closely.
The presidents personal investiga.
tor. Chief Justice Covington OF tho
supreme court Of the District Of CO.
lumbia, may visit the Northwest and
the Pacific Coast to study the situa.
ton.