The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-08-22
SOLDIERS ARREST LEADER OF /.
w. w.
Goes to Jail With Twcnty.six Men,
bcrS.

Spokane. Aug. 19.--Aggressive fed
cral Intervention to prevent the par
alyzing Of industries in the Northwest
through the strike of Industrial
Workers of the World which has
boon called for tomorrow began late
today when James Rowan, district
secretary of the 1. w. w. was taken
as a military prisoner together with
&c other members Of the organiza-
tion by National Guardsmen in fed
eral service.
Maj. Clement wilkins. Idaho Nat
ional Guard, who directed the troops.
declared he did not have specific Or
ders to act. but made the arrest un-
der general orders empowering me
to take such steps as appeared nee
essary to prevent destruction Of
property and the hamperins of in
dustry."
The strike called b. Rowan in
cludes all members Of the organiza-
tion in industrial and agricultural
work in Montana, Washington. Ore
gen and Idaho. Rowan declared
that the arrests tonight would in
crease the strike and cause 1t 10
spread. Lumber workers In the four
States already are on strike.
Reports from all the States named
in the strike orders were to the ef-
feet that federal. State, county and
city authorities were prepared for
any eventuality.
Major wilkins said no disorders
had developed. Guardsmen patrollcd d
the vicinity where I. w. w. speakers
usually hold their meetings and pre-
vented all gatherings.
r. f. Blaine. chairman Of the state
public service commission here to re-
port to Governor Lister on conditions,
declared the arrest of the strike lead
ers today was, so far as he knew,
PURIFY HiiltuTy uiONc.
Special deputy shcriffs throughout
Spoke County have been instructed to
be on tho e.ert for any overt act on
the part Of the strikers.
At the jail Rowan dictated and
signed a statement saying:
The principal object OF the strike
of the lumber workers is the eight
hour day and sanitary conditions in
the camps. We do not know of any
reason why we should be arrested and
detained or why our halls should be
closed, as We are not breaking any
law. We are not unpatriotic. Our
principal demand Is for the eight
hour day which has been adopted as
q standard by the United States gov.
ernment on all government work.
There Is nothing unlawful about
demanding a clean and sanitary con,
dition in camps.
"We have been accused OF being un
patriotic and working against tn,
United States government in the in
terest of the German government.
has also been stated that the lum
Der workers strike has been financed
by German money. This is absolute
ly untrue. The money has been con
tributed by the working class from
all over this country and some from
working men OF other countries.
I'VE do not stand for the destruc
tion of property. We have not wish
cd to burn up houses or to burn III
| crops. All we ask Is decent condi
tions TO live under and to work un
der. We demand that this strike anc
this organization be fully investigate,
by the United States authorities ant
the result published.
"Our men engaged in fighting for
est fires have not gone on strike. Th'
strike calls which have been issue,
do not apply to fire fighters.
I'VE believe that the great mass o
thc people OF the country are i'm fa
vor of things which are asked for b.
the ]. w. w. We know that the onl.
reason why we are subjected to per.
sccution Is because If tho conditions
we demand are granted it would dc.
crease the profits made by the Capi.
talistlc class.
"All our aims and objects ar,
such as would promote the wclfar,
Of the men and women Of tho work