The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1919-11-29
SUPERIOR
SUPERIOR
RA|D|NC PARTY
Gets SETBACK
Sef-Constituted Supervisors Of
Law and Order Confronted
By Armed Policeman.

An attempt to raid the I. W. W.
headquarters at 401 Tower avenue Sat-
urday night was foiled by Albert Fin
negan, member of the Superior police
force, who pointed a shining revolver
at the men and told them there was
nothing doing. The raidins party,
which consisted of about 1875 men, had
formed at the Omaha railroad station
and marched to the "Wobbly" head
quarters, but the lone revolver did not
look good to them. so they desisted
from carrying out their objective. If
any of the party had an inclination
to jump onto the lone policeman, he
changed hi mind in short order, as
it did not take long before there were
six bluecoats instead of one, each
pointing an ugly-looking 3S which was
ready to commence barking at the
slightest provocatton.
The raid did not come as a surprise,
as rumors of the plan had leaked out
in advance. These rumors, which fixed
Saturday night as the time set for the
assault on the I. w. w. headquarters
were to the effect that a number of
returned soldiers. organized or unor-
gained, had been melted to mob vio-
lence through propaganda literature
distributed among the men, designed
to make them believe that they are
the defenders of certain American in
terests and that they would be doing
patriotic duty by Kidding the COM
munity of elements that are distasteful
to the so-called vested interests.
Time Was Correct.
1t is impossible to ascertain whether
or not those rumors were correct. with
the exception Of the time fixed, which
seemed to correspond with later de-
velopnents. Organized labor in Supe
rlor does not sponsor the I. w. w.
movement, but though the union men
hold no brief for the ''Wobblies," they
had a certain interest in the raid which
fizzled out, because the rumors which
proved so correct as to time also said
that after the I. W. W. Headquarters
had been raided the Trades and Labor
assembly was to be stormed AS
probable result OF the failure in the
first instance the central labor body
was not disturbed at the meeting Tues
day night.
The police on Saturday night did
not make any arrests nor did they at
tempt to ascertain who were in the
party. Officers and members of the
Superior post, No. IS, American Le-
gion, Immediately after the attempted
raid, issued a statement disclaiming
any part in the affair or any knowledge
of the form alton of raiding party
Accepting the statement of this or
ganization, citizens have begun to Won
der if the scheme had been fostered
by kind Of characterization COM
mittee consisting Of former service
men who seem to be working west,
leaving in it's wake a number Of dead
magazines they have fooled people to
subscribe for. They are reported to
be Dragging Of the number of large
business houses in neighboring cities
that have subscribed for 5000 to $500
each for the support of their "educa-
tionaP' campaign, which, according to
their own statements consists in sup
pressing radical literature, raiding I.
w. w. headquarters, breaking up
meetings, and many other feats They
have made the claim that the United
States Steel corporation is going to
back their work. it is reported. It Is
! also said that the firms which have
contributed to their propaganda fund
are unfriendly to organized labor.
Bloodshed Averted.
The actions Of the members Of the
]. w. w: organization in Superior indi-
Gates that they were not taken un-
awares. 1t is said that they had gath
! cred on the second floor, where they
had removed their records and litera-
ture. When the raiding party was
seen approaching they extinguished
the lights and made ready for battle
but they had decided not to make ana
move until the raiders showed theil
heads above the second floor. In order
to observe the movements Of the mer