American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-08-20
1O1 l.. W.. w. CONVICTED
JURY OUT ONLY AN HOUR
Defendants Face Long Term OF Inn
prisOnment for Interfering With
Governments War Preparations.

trial Workers of the World were found
guilty, as charged in the indictment"
by the jury after one hours delibera-
ton at their trial for conspiracy to
disrupt the nations war program, at
Chicago Saturday.
The defendants, including William
D. C'Big Bill") Haywood, general sec
retary-treasurer of the /. w. W., the
highest position in the organization,
face a minimum penalty of twenty
seven years in prison and a 10000
fine each.
Federal Judge K. NJ. Lands, in his
charge to the jury, withdrew the
fifth and last count of the indictment,
which charged conspiracy to violate
the postal laws and particularly that
section excluding from the mails EN-
terprises in the natur of schemes to
defraud.
The remaining four counts of the
indictment specifically charge viola
ton of the espionage act. the section
of the criminal code prohibiting inter
ference with the civil rights of citi-
zens, the selective service act and
the conspiracy statute.
The close of the case, which has
been before the court for 1873 days,
was sudden. Two minor witnesses
testified at the morning session, and
following them Frank K. Nebeker of
Salt Lake City, chief counsel for the
government, began his closing argu-
ment. for which he was allowed two
hours, but consumed scarcely half of
that time. Then George F. Wander
veer. head of the defense legal staff,
to the surprise of all in the court
room, declared that he would submit
the case to the jury without making a
closing statement.
In his closing argument, Attorney
Nebeker said:
you have been engaged in one of
the most epoch-making trials in the
history of the country.
THE wisdom of the laws of this
country is not at issue. We obey the
decisions of the highest court, and
that is the only way that a republic
can live. Anything that strikes at that
is a dangerous thing.
"The wisdom of the decisions of the
courts of this country is not at issue
The industrial system is not on trial
this case is not against any interests
of honest workingmen, o against
any patriotic labor organization. Anc
no effort is being made by the gov
eminent to justify mob violence. the
Bisbee deportation, or other lawles'
acts.
"At it's very start the 1. w. w
= struck at the foundation of u gov
eminent. Is it not peculiar that il
every state of the union these fellow
got into trouble. In a little town al
ordinance is passed. The I. W. "
violate it and say they are going t
violate it.
THE documents issued by the de
PENDANTS themselves are enough t
convict them. When you consider tn
definitions made by the witnesses o
the stand and compare them with VIII
they have written and the books the
o. authorized, the case of the govern
ment is complete
The l. W. W. trial began April l an
~ was one of the longest criminal case
ID Oh record in this country. The recoI
contains 10000 typewriter pages, {
1900, 900 words.
The fate of the syndicalist NOV
ment in America, the government col
la. tended, rested on the outcome of II
trial of 101 leaders of the Industri
Workers of the World for conspira'
~ to disrupt the nations war prograI
which began in federal court on ApI
Ia l.. before Judge Kenesaw Mounta
Lands.
The Indictment against 165 men al
one woman, Elizabeth Gurley Flyn
lis, returned by the September. lSl
grand jury, charged the practice
sabotage, including the slowing doV
of production and the wanton spoila
AN of material. propaganda for strikes
DELAY the output of war munitions, a.
covert intrigue against military Sc
vice.
Forty of the indicted leaders, ser
ing the governments intentions an
the sensational nationwide raid a
coniscation of records on Septemt
5. preceding the indictment, fled ire
the country. or went into hiding a
escaped capture. Miss Flynn and {
other defendants were granted 81
arate trials, and the charges again
a number of others were dismiss
for lack of evidence.
The five counts in the indictm
specifically charged violation OF
espionage act. the section of the crl
inal code prohibiting interference "
the civil rights of citizens, the sci
tive service act, the conspiracy stat