The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-04-02
CHICAGO TRIAL
OF |. ". WIS AS
UNL0YAL BEGUN
ll2 of .ll3 Defendants Appear ut
Treason Trial Before Fed
eral Judge s..
ALL PLEAD NOT GUILTY
Poets, Political Writers, Lumber
Camp Captains Among
Prisoners

Chicago, Ill.,, Apr. 2.--Leaders and
organizers Of the Industrial Workers
OF the World, more than one hundred
III number, entered pleas Of not gull
ty today at the opening OF the trial
in which the government will attempt
to prove that the defendants violated
the espionage act, plotted TO destroy
industries and ,cOnspired to hamper
prosecution OF the war.
With but one exception, all OF the
113 defendants were In court when
Federal Judge Lands ordered their
names called for formal pleadings to
the charges brought by the govern,
ment after the sensational drive on
the organizations district offices last
September. Albert Kimball, who was
out on bail, was reported seriously
i'll.
Jurors Excused
Examination OF prospective jurors
will be continued when court conven
es tomorrow. Pleas of nineteen ven
iremen that they be excused, some de
claring that they were engaged in
food production were granted. A pane!
Of 100 veniremen today will be sup
plemcnted by fifty more tomorrow.
Poets, lumber camp captains, poll
teal writer's and speakers were among
the defendants who, mancaled anr
heavily guarded, were brought into the
court room in groups Of ten. Their
queer raiment, ranging from overalls
to flowing ties and fancy waist coats
attracted crowds Of spectators as they
were being brought to court. but only
a few of these gained entrance to the
court room.
Says Social System on Trial"
Former associates staged striking
reunions, some falling into embraces.
George F. Vanderveer, chief coun'
sci for the defense, said tonight that
he was pleased to have obtained an
early trial; -. - 49,. ,~" 49,. -,
"And it is the first time in history
that our social system has been placed
on trial" he. aided. 49, g., 80.
Witnesses have been called. by the
defense from al parts of the country
with view to; proving that the !: w.
w. is simply an organization of work
ers, defense counsel said. The de-
Tense will attempt to show by. these
witnesses that while the organization
feels, that the present political sys.
tenn is too slow for industrial and Soc
ial reforms, there has been no at,
tempt to cripple industry or block
war plans. 49,. =. - ~
MASSES" Editor Released
Arthuro Giovanetti formerly an edi i,
tor of the Masses, and one of the lead
ers in Lawrence, Mass, textile strike
against whom charges by the govern
ment were withdrawn today. held
number of conferences with I. W. W
leaders who are outton bail. He sale
he would not be ableto remain during
the trial. however. - s%@,s$-. -
Judge Lands announced that the
trial would continue daily from l.
a. m. to S p. III. until 1t became nee.
essary to hold night sessions in orde!
to keep up with his regular calendar
Judge Lands today ordered special
physical examinations in the cases
Of Kimball and j., A. Macdonald, edi
tor Of an T. W. w. publication ir
Seattle. Macdonald, who is one of tn
principal defendants from the Pacific
coast district. appeared in court, but
his condition was such that his re
moval was necessary.