The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-08-30
NOBBLY LEADERS
ARE FOUND GUILTY
100 DEFENDANTS FACING PENAL
TY OF 27 YEARS AND FINE
OF $4,000
TRIAL LASTED FOR, 1873 DAYS
End Comes Rather Suddenly and Ven
dict Is Reached by Jury ip Just
One Hour.-TriaI Record
Contains 10000 Pages

/
Chicago, Aug. 20. = One hundred
| leaders. of the Industrial Workers of
the World were found guilty as charg-
| ed in the Indictment" by a Jury, after
one hours deliberation at their trial
for conspiracy to disrupt the nations
war program late Saturday. Argu-
ments for new trial will be heard
this week.
The defendants, including William
D. Haywood, general secretary-treas-
urer of the l. w. w. the highest po-
sition in the organization, face max
imum penalty of 81 years in prison and
a $4,000 fine each.
Federal Judge X 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 nature 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 seective service act and the
conspiracy statute.
Trial Ends Suddenly
The close of the case, which has
been before the court for 13S days.
was sudden. Two minor witnesses
testified at the morning session and
following them Frank X. Nebeker,
chief counsel for the government be-
gan his closing argument for which he
was allowed two hours, but consumed
half of that time Then Geo.
E. Vanderveer, head of the defense
egal staff, to the surprise of all in
he courtroom. declared that he would
submit the case to the jury without
making closing statement.
Epoch Making Trial.
In his closing argument, Attorney
Iebeker said:
You have been engaged in one of
he most epoch-malling trials in the
history of the country.
The wisdom of the laws of this
ountry is not an issue. We obey the
decisions of the highest court and
hat is the only way that republic
an live Anything that strikes at that
5 a dangerous thing.
"The wisdom of the decision of the !
ourts of this country is not an issue.
he industrial system is not on trial.
he case is not against any interests
honest workingmen, nor against
ny patriotic labor organization. And
o effort is being made by the gov
to justify mob violence, the
isbee deportation or other lawless
cts.
WiIlfuI Lawbreakers.
"At its very start the /. w. w.
.ruck at the foundations of our gov
Is it not peculiar that in
very state of the union these fellows
ct into trouble? In a little town an
-dinance is passed.; they come and
olate. it, and say they are going to
olate it.
"The documents issued by the de-
,ndants themselves are enough to
,nviet them. When you consider the
afinitions made by the witnesses on
lie stand and compare them with
hat they have written and the books
ley authorized, the case of the gov
nment is complete
Reach Verdict in an Hour.
After the instructions OF Judge
andis the jury retired at a 10 p. M
nd Just one hour later announced
at its verdict was ready. The court
as hastily reassembled and the YER
ct was read at 5 20 There was
} demonstration and the defendants
ere returned to their cells after
Idge Lands had announced that he
ould hear arguments for a new trial
is week, the exact date to be set
ter
The /. w. w. trial began April and
as one of the longest criminal cases
record in this court The record
ntains 10000 typewriter pages or
100000 words.
Sounds kneII of SyndicaIism.
The fate of the syndicalist move
emf in America, the government con-
nded. rested on the outcome of the
IaI of 101 leaders of the Industrial
orkcrs Of the World for conspiracy
disrupt the nations war program.
1ch began in federal court here on
)riI before Judge Kenesaw Noun