Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-06
Federal Agents Make Sim
ultaneous Raids on L.W.
w: Headquarters in
Many Sections.
fpy Associated Prcss.l

government to-day took drastic action
to end the antiwar propaganda and
activities conducted in the name OF the
Industrial Workers of the World. the
Socialist party and other organizations
throughout the United States.
On orders from Attorney-General
Gregory. United States marshals in
many towns and cities descended at
Il. NJ. central time. upon local head
quarters of the Industrial Workers Of
the World, seized books. checks. cor
respondence and other documents. and
In some instances arrested officials
found upon the premises.
In Chicago. Federal agents took pos
session OF the national headquarters Of
the Socialist party. and warrant au-
thorizing the seizure of it's documents
was served upon its counsel
The seizure Of documents was car
ried out in accordance with a plan per-
fected here by William C. Fits, Assist
ant Attorney working Under
the direction OF the Attorney-GeneraL
A statement issued by the Department
Of Justico, announced that the seizure
of papers was made in connection with
a Federal grand, jury investigation of
the Industrial Workers of the World.
TAKEN ON EVE OF REPORT
By JUSTICE CONVICTION
The departments action was taken
on the eve of report to President
Wilson by Chief Justice Covington, of
the Supreme Court OF the District or
Columbia, who was designated recently
by the President to investigate the
labor situation in the West. Judge
Covington has completed his investi-
cation. and PROBABLY will report per-
sonally to President Wilson to-mor-
row.
Whether the concerted action of mar
shals throughout the country was in
any way related to Judge Covington's
investigation was not disclosed.
The charges against leaders of the
organization under arrest or whose ar
rest is contemplated, were not made
public here. 1t w;s said at the De-
partment of Justice that these would
have to be determined by the grand
Jury investigating the organization.
Officials also declined to state II in
dictments had been found by grand
juries in Chicago or elsewhere against
lndustrials Workers of the World lead
ers. 1t was intimated, however, that
dications are that Federal grand juries
In other cities will be called upon also
to investigate.
For many weeks past the activities
OF Industrial Workers of the World
leaders have been under close scrutiny
OF the departments bureau of investi-
cation.
ACTIVITIES NEVER REGARDED
AS LABOR MOVEMENT
These activities have never been re-
Garded here as labor movement. They
have been held to be political and, in
some instances, conducted with view
solely to hinder and hamper the gov
ernment.
Recently 1t was charged that, In
cluded in the ranks of the Industrial
Workers of the World. were many
Austrians who have been active in
stirring up strife intended to hamper
American industries doing work
handled by Germans before the United
States declared a state of war existing
with Germany
Continued investigation has failed,
1t Is understood. to connect these ac-
tivities with German money. The de-
partment has determined the principal
reservoirs OF German funds in this
country and. 1t is reported, has not
connected them with recent disorders
III the West and Southwest.
AS a result OF the countrywide seizure
OF the organizations papers, the De-
partment of Justice Tonight hDds it,
self In possession. of documents by
the thousand. many of which will be
submitted to grand jur!es.
Prosecutions may be begun under
several laws, chiefly the espionage act.
covering the utterance of reasonable
and seditious statements. and the food
control law.