Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-06-03
THE OFFICIAL RECORD

ono hundred and twelve men. leaders and proni-
nent members of the +. W. w., are on trial in Chicago.
1As'o VIII conspiracy to oostruct the government in Its
prosecution of the war. In the decision Of this case
much will depend on the legal construction placed n tho
term conspiracy" and the foundation is being laid ror q
sharp Tilt over that matter. But inasmuh as the farm
ers OF the northwest have been invited by Mr.. Tovn,ev
whose leadership not a few Of them have accented in
other matters, to become partners of the I. w. W.. MANY
OF them may be interested in a summary of certain }, c+s
which have already been brought out in this trial.
Much Of the evidence introduced by the ant
IN Its presentation of the case against these men ia doom
mentary, consisting of letters written by I. v. w. mem
oers and pertaining to the activities of the organization,
DOORS pamphlets and other publications issued In
1urtherance of that work. These publications have been
filled with expressions of opposition to the war. Of hatred
for American government, and Of advocacy of violence ans
intimidation. Among the hundreds of instances Of the
same character this written and printed matter. all of
unquestioned I. w. w. origin, and all introduced under
oath. contain the following expressions of sentiment ana
purpose:
'Condemning the labor unions for the adoption Of a
resolution supporting the war.
Advocating the destruction Of property IA vrecl,
the industries Of the country and thus hamper war nren-
arations.
Letter from Russian Bolsheviki asking for informa-
tion and advice. and stating very soon we will have a
Russian administration of the I. W. w..
Song books attacking religious organizations and
defying the courts and the government.
Roasting of Gripping the aeroplane~
Advocating the spiking Of guns and spelling of
powder. s@A~a ~"
Referring to the uniform of the American soldiers
as 1.-The livery of the scab herder.'
A resolution by the executive board Of the orsaniza-
ton opposing the war.
p EH Suckers by the hundred Thousand opposfnrr fhe war
Advocating the tying up of ships by means of
strikes. "~
Advocating and describing the actual commission of
sabotage .on the farms. In this list are cases of placing
iron in wheat bundles, burning shocks and stacks. de-
stroying the teeth on separator cycinders, hoeing up po-
tatoes and other crops instead of weeds, and many other
destructive acts.
One witness, in his oral testimony, declared that he
had heard a speaker employed as an I. W. W. organizer
say: II don't give a damn who your country is fighting.
I'm fighting for the solidarity of labor"
Speaking in opposition to the draft one speaker
SAID that II the workers were taken into the army it
would not be the Germans whom they would shoot. but
their own officers.
These are some Of the items in the long list of tes-
timony introduced in the trial, all Of which is a matter
OF record. As indicating the scope of the movement it
was brought out that the income of the society from dues
from April to September OF last year was .s271, 900.
so familiar have the members Of this society become
with the use Of violence and the threat of violence to ac-
complish their ends that they could not refrain from
these things even in the presence of the court in which
their leaders were being tried. During the early~days
Of the trial Judge Lands court room in Chicago. where
the trial was then in progress, was flooded with I. w. w.
circulars conveying threats to the jury in case the de-
fendants were convicted. This brought from the attor-
ney employed by the defense the emphatic statement that
re anything more of this sort occurred he would with
draw from the case.
All; Of this is of special interest to the farmers Of the
northwest because a year ago the Nonpartisan league OF
this state. q represented by Arthur Leseuer, under the
direction OF A. G. Townley. was in conference with a
branch 1.-THE i W. w. with a view to the closing Of an
agreement between the two organisations whereby I. W.
", members should be given employment. on the farms
Of North Dakota under specified conditions Of wages
and working hours. This was advocated by the L. w. w.
branch because It would give the society control OF at
fairs In the agricultural district. Such an agreement was
actually made. md Mr.. Townley held meetings in several
North Dakota cities for the purpose of urging upon the
assembled farmers their acceptance Of the terms pro-
posed, and the completion OF a working agreement with
ths 4. The agreement was rejected BY the farmers
themselves. they refusing 70 become the partners OF "a
orsanizatton vhoss record Tor dialoyalty and criminality
s4hssv veil knew.
IS mt ocnneSttsn tfe Tovn1sy papers have not dealt
Magsuarsfy W y thsir srssders Those spapsrs have been SUI.
s1lAal44f4 ppgs,IArIy Nth ~ oMcial reports Of the Chicago
Atsl ~ a. 800 1900 alas shsthsy4n the pan