New-York tribune., 1919-06-24
Documents Show Local
Socialists Contributed
Money to ''Big Bill'' Hey
wood and Confederates
Minute Book Also Taken
Presents Complete Record
of Society Convicted With
Nearing Under Spy Act

Documentary evidence showing that
New York Socialists rendered financial
aid to big Bill" Hayward and the
other 116 l. w. WIS, who were tried
for violation of the espionage act in
Chicago more than year ago, has
been discovered among the documents
seized by the Lusk committee in its
raid Saturday on the Rand School.
These I. W. WIS, 1os Of whom were
found guilty and are now serving pris-
on terms, were given money by local
Sccialists while they were on trial.
Letters found among the wagon-loads
of seized papers proved, according to
The Tribune's informant, that arrange
ments were made for one of the coun-
sci defending the I. W. WIS to come
here and take up collections at So
cialist gatherings, and that this was
done. One of these meetings was held
in the assembly room at the Rand
School.
Eqaally important was the finding
Socialist Society, the organization
which was tried along with Scott Near
ing and others for alleged violation of
the espionage act in the local Federal
courts. The society was found guilty
on all counts.
Complete Record Found
This minute book, according to en-
ployes of the Lusk Committee, is a
complete record of the meetings Of the
society, and may prove to be the most
valuable document seized.
These finds, and the opening Of the
big safe at the Rand School, were the
most important Developments in the
investigation into Bolsheviki activities
yesterday.
The safe, which had been constantly
guarded by state troopers since Satur-
day night, when Algernon Lee, leader
Of Aldermen, and the educational direc-
tor of the Rand School, refused to open
it, was unlocked by experts from local
safe concern after a search warrant
had been issued by Chief Magistrate
McAdoo.
AS the doors of the safe, which stands
seven feet high, swung open. a vast
quantity of letters. Documents and
books was revealed. Nearly all of these
were seized over the protests of Mr..
Lee and |. M. Sackin, counsel for the
Society of Commonwealth Centre, Inc,
the holding company of the building.
ASKS -olice for Protection
Archibald E. Stevenson and Deputy
Attorney General Samuel j. Berger.
associate counsel of the Lusk Commit
tee, maintained the seizure was in ac-
cordance with the provisions of the
production Of all written and printed
matter in the said safe of revolution
ary and seditious character"
While the expert was hammering
away at the safe--which at first, It was
feared, would have to be opened witt,
dynamite--and manipulating the tum-
blers, Mr.. Sackin appealed to two uni
formed policemen to protect our
property"
'The Attorney General is there" said
one policeman, pointing to Mr.. Berger.
He has no authority to touch our
property insisted Mr.. Sackin. "And
shall hold you officers personally re.
sponsible if you do not protect our
property"
1--WE, are acting legally" was Mr..
Berger's reply. "If we are not YOU
have your remedy in the courts"
The warrant was obtained on an af1-
davit made by Clarence L. Converse.
an employe of the Lusk committee
who swore that he had reasons for
believing that documents of seditious
and revolutionary nature were kept in
the safe.
hc "outce OF my lffCrmatlon, MIR.
converse swore, "and the grounds of
my belief, are statements and conver.
sations. which ! overheard in the hall.
way OF the premises att East Fifteenth
street tthe Rand SCHOOL, during the
afternoon of June 81 between two per
sons, VINO, believe, are connected with
some OF the activities in the said build
Ing. one Of the persons said to the
otner IN my presence and in my hear
ing; IT'S a good thing they (meaninc
t Sne police officers) haven't opened the
Dig safe on the third floor"
=. AN arrangement was made whereby
Mr. Lee and Mr.. Berger inventoried the
materlal IN the safe which the raiders
sook away, but the state officials de-
ciared that anything they believed was
Of sedtious or revolutionary char.
acSer would be impounded for the pres
ent, and, if found tc be otherwise.
would be returned to the Rand School.
mr.. Sackin, after the raiders left.
declared that he would appeal to the
courts to-day for restoration of the
slezed books and documents and would
take the matter to the. Supreme Court
OF the United States if necessary.
mr.. Stevenson and Mr.. Berger de-
Snned yesterday to reveal what they
mad obtained in the way of helpful in
formation or evidence Of Bolshevik &C.
tW1ties in the raids last Saturday on
tne Rand School, the l. w. W. head
quarters and the Office of the Cleft
wing of the Socialist party.
1t IS known, however, that prominent
New Workers of the parlor Bolsheyik
type, who have been lending financial
support to the extreme radicals. will
De subpoenaed to appear before the
Lusk Committee at one of it's public
hearings in the near future. The com.
mlttee will meet again Thursday morn
ing at the City Hall. .'N' ="