The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-08-17
Justice to Be Swift and Sc
we're for War Inter-
ference
INVESTIGATORS
IN THE FIELD
The Stoppage of Industries
Will Not be En-

Washington, Aug H. The department
of Justice. II was stated to-day, is pre-
pared to deal swiftly and severely with
activities in the northwest and else.
where of the Industrial Workers of the
World, in so far as they relate TO the
stoppsge or curtailment of production
in industries whose continuation is
deemed essential TO the prosecution Of
the war.
Any action, il was said. which would
tend to retard the harvesting Of crops,
the production of spruce lumber essen
tial for the construction of airplanes,
or curtail the production of minerals
needed TO carry on the war will be met
by prosecution on charges of conspira'
CIV against persons regarded as response
Bile for the institution of the move
ment
A large force of investigators are in
the field in California, New Mexico, Ari-
IONA, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and
Montana checking up and reporting dai-
y upon activities of l. w. w. leaders,
Many industries whose continuation is
necessary to the prosecution OF the war
would be affected, it is thought, by the
threatened general strike in the northwest.
District attorneys throughout the section
have been instructed by the depart
ment 10 institute promptly proceedings
against such strike leaders where such
proceedings can be prosecuted under the
broad powers given the president by
Congress in the war resolution.
Cessation of labor in the harvest
Fields, in spruce logging camps or at
mines, it is thought would come clearly
nnder the list of subjects which could
be dealt with by federal authorities.
Department officials here knew several
lays ago by the impending demands OF
he Industrial Workers of the World in
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Mon |
lana. Full details of the demands were
IN the hands of the department more
than forty-eight hours before they were
announced yesterday by James Rowan
district secretary of the l. W, W. at
Spokane.
The construction of the great aircraft
Ieet which the government purposes to
lend abroad has been seriously men
iced, ii was said by widespread actiy-
lies traceable to |. W. W. sympathizers
IN the logging camps of Washington.
Spruce logs used in building airplanes,
aave been damaged and destroyed it was
Iaid, in great quantities and the ma
.hinery used to convert the logs into
amber damaged in many instances by
pixies driven into the logs. Spruce is
he only timber used in building air
planes in this country, and eurtailment
If the supply of logs has menaced con-
itruction of machines. The situation
sowever, has been met, it was said to-
lay, and the crisis of the movement, IT
IS believed, has been passed. II
Department officials have been advised |
If an attempt by !. w. w. sympathizers Z
70 destroy the reserve supply of spruce
timber in the northwest. This alleged {
attempt, it was said, has been frustrated. (
The activities of the |. w. w. are re- q
yarded by officials here as a political s
'ather than labor movement In insti j
aiting prosecution district attorneys have {
been instructed to inquire into the pur
poses of calling strikes and to ascer e
ain whether they were called to EN- c
oarrase the government in the production !
If necessary materials or for other '
,auses. t
There can be no general prosecution, it t
vas said, of |. w. W. leaders as such
or strike activities. The industries af- }
ected, their relation to the prosecution
# the war and the purposes back of
alling the strikes, have to be considered
n each individual case, it was said, as
he basis of prosecution.
Senators who want legislation to deal
With the |. w. w. situation conferred to-
ay and agreed to join in drafting a bill
or introduction by Senator Hollis, de- d
igned to curb improper activities with J
ut injuring interests of organized la
or.
Another bill aimed to reach activities
{ members of the l. w. w. was intro
uced to-day by Senator King. It pro D.
ides for the punishment of persons
Tho bring about breaking of contracts
lade by the United States for the man
fscture and transportation of things \
eeded by the government. P
y