Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-09-07
Nationwide Conspiracies
to Hamper Government
Revealed by Raids.
HEADQUARTERS OF
CONSPIRACY FOUND
Opposition to Draft Law, Burning Of
Crops and Forests, Labor Disturb
aness and Pro- German Sentiment All
Directed From Chicago - Money
Spent Lavishly in Effort to Embar-
rass United States in War.

Washington. Sept. Reports and
disclosures made to officials here in
connection with the seizure Of I. w. w.
documents thruout the country indi-
cate, it was said today, that there has
existed for some time a nationwide
conspiracy to hamper the government
in almost every conceivable way, in
carrying on the war.
Opposition to the draft law. burn
ing Of crops, some Of the so-called Ia
Dor disturbances and attempts to cur
tail production In war industries, re-
ports indicate, were all part Of the
same alleged conspiracy, whose prime
motive was thought to be the Gripping
OF the governments activities in every
way possible, ehort of interference with
military aand naval operations.
Prohe 70 Be Thorough.
The investigation begun by the fed
eral grand jury at Chicago in connec-
ito with Wednesdays raids on I. w. w.
Offices thruout the country will go In
to all phases Of the alleged conspiracy.
Officials today said 1t probably will be
the most comprehensive investigation
undertaken on behalf OF the govern
ment since this country's entry into the
war.
& !. Ten thousand letters ana other docu-
fnents tnf the p0sSession OF federal au-
tisorities will be placed before the
grand Jury at Chicago, or other grand
1uries which later may investigate the
manifestations OF the alleged conspir-
acy.,
Headquarters in Chicago.
1t was intimated today that the gov
ernment's theory is that the alleged
conspiracy was entered into In Chi-N
cago, altho its operations extended to
virtually every section Of the United
States.
In the light Of reports made recent
iy to officials here. the numerous in.
stances OF opposition at widely scat
tered points to the draft law were part
of the general alleged conspiracy and
were prompted by virtually the same
teet OF men in all instances.
Burning Of wheat fields and attempts
20 burn spruce forests in the Pacific
northwest, 1t was thought, were but
another phase Of the alleged general
conspiracy directed by the controlling
heads. Dozens Of sporadic attempts to
cripple war industries by strikes and
acts OF violence are regarded as a third
phase OF the general alleged conspiracy.
Press Propaganda.
" Publication Of articles designed to
start anti-war or anti-ally sentiment
| Is a fourth phase, it Is thought, of the
SAN sans. SSs::. .:e. movement. Indications
point. 1t was said, to q group Of men.
considerable In number, constituting
what might be termed the executive
force Of the alleged conspiracy direct
ling all its activities.
! Department Of justice officials said
today the investigation probably would
be prolonged. United States Attorney
lC1.ne. Of Chicago, is to be assisted by
Frank G. Daley. Of Indianapolis, and
frank X. Nebeker, Of Salt Lake City.
land the entire Investigation will be
1c0nducted under the personal supervis-
ion OF William G. Fits. assistant at
torney general under whose direction
the seizure Of L w. w. documents
was made. Mr. Fits will make daily
reports, TO Attorney General Gregory.
& osrmsans Furnished Money.
Wliere the money came from to
finance the manifold activities Of the
movement under Investigation is sub
ject into which the grand jury will
deive deoply. Many evidences, it is
said, point TO a German fund from
which money was lavishly supplied for
work of the conspirators. Heretofore
the connection between German funds
ana activities OF persons apparently
hostile TO the government has not been
established.
United states attorneys in various
sections Of the country today were
making Z minute study of the docu-
sInents taken in the recent raid. Mr..
x1ttS declined to comment on the fed
eral activities I'm connection with the
i. w. w. raids further than to say re-
ports from all sections were very sat
isfyins.
81 GERMAN NEWSPAPERS SEIZED. a
= Asss & xsituas and The oen,okratin.
Offsets ef Federal Raid.
Chicago, Sept Three raiding
- ss.ses MaahAd awav from the federal