New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-05
Officials Blame I. w. w.
for Fatal Explosion in
u. S. Building
"Big Bill" Haywood
In Structure at Time
"Red" Leaders Arrested
in Federal Raids; Judge
Lands Escapes

CHICAGO, Sept. 4.-Four persons
we're killed and more than seventy-fve
others were injured this afternoon by
the explosion of bomb in crowded
entrance to the Federal Building, where
ninety-hve I. ". W. leaders were re-
Gently convicted and sentenced to
prison for obstructing the governments
war programme.
The explosion was attributed to the
]. W. ". by Philip ]. Barry, in charge
of the local Offices of the Department
Of Justice.
Raids on two headquarters of the
I. ". ". within fifteen minutes after
the explosion resulted in the arrest of
nine men. Several more were taken
into custody within the Federal Build
ing and woman whose name was sup.
pressed was arrested in nearby build
ing. Tonight more than 1900 govern
ment agents and the entire city police
force were seeking the perpetrators Of
the outrage.
Bomb in Suitcase
The bomb, which is believed to have
consisted of at least three wire-wrapped
steel cylinders charged with high
explosive, was carried into the Adams
Street entrance of the building during
one of the most busy periods of the
day. Concealed in a suitcase and con-
nected with time fuse the device was
deposited behind a radiator unnoticed
by the passing throng. Nearly hun
dred persons were in the corridor at
the time at the stamp windows, writing
desks and letter registry division.
The force of the blast tore the radia-
tor from its fastenings and hurled it
into the street, where it struck and
killed a horse.
Flying debris cut into shreds several
war posters and canvas banners
stretched across the front of the en-
trance and filled the street with plas-
ter, stone and broken glass.
Many Are Injured
Directly across the street every pane
OF glass in the first three floors of the
Commonwealth-E Edison and Marquette
Da1iclngs was blown in upon occupants
OF onces, stores and restaurants. Many
OF the injured were cut by these f1y-
ing fragments. Every person in the
corridor where the explosion took place
was hurled to the floor, and their cries
soon soon filled the building and halted the
nrst panlc-stricken rush of the unin-
Jured to escape from other entrances.
Inc streets outside were roped off
py policemen, and ambulances and
requisitioned automobiles began rush
ing the victims to hospitals Within
.a nan an hour detail of sailors from
tne Great Lakes Naval Training Station
ana detachment of home guards, with
nAed bayonets, took up the task of
keeping back the crowds.
Inc dead included two postal clerks,
',a sailor and a Chical woman.
ms outrage. in my opinion, was in
esilaoie s as an act of reprisal on the part
ot. Of the |: ". W." Mr. Barry declared
ailer hurried investigation, "follow-
ing the sentencing of nearly hundred
" ~ thelr members. We are certain that
the I. W. ". committed this deed. /
p.eleVe that the bomb was composed of
hhtroglyce,ne. Several arrests have
neeh made, and we are questioning the
prisoners as fast as we cam"
Haywood Was in Building
\, Inc courtroom of Federal Judge K.
w. W.. Lands, where the I. w. w. leaders
S,, SSele tried, is on the sixth floor of the
Osni ou.i,oing. William D. Haywood, gen
.sal secretary-treasurer of the I. W. w.
and one of those sentenced to twenty
ears IN prison for his part in the
oovsesplracles, ~ was on the eighth floor
y. the building with his lawyer, who
has Planning to seek a writ of error in
rns. ",s behalf, when the explosion oc-
oused. outFed. He expressed regret at the
u;u.fage and, while emphatically deny
,hhs mat any of his men had committed
! me e., act admitted thar he believed the
w: ". ". would be blamed.
~ Is unfortunate that this thing
nnappened at this time" he said. II
hhow the |. W. w. will be blamed, but
am Convinced in my own heart that
W mo man OF ny organization was in any
Wy, Wy connected with this matter. 1t
so "oald De insane for an L. w. W. to
'0,n'i'fe such an act at this time"
,.i cue Daley, of st. Paul. who was |
p'sced on trial with the other !. w. w.
members, Lut was later released by |
.aage Lands because of his physical |
ona mental condition, was taken into
cosuy cos.ody tonight for questioning in
s0hnectlon with the explosion.