The Semi-weekly leader., 1922-09-16
OBSTRUCTION OF
RAILROADS Barred
CARLOADS or EVIDENCE TO CON-
FRONT UNION IN UNITED
s1 STATES COURT.
CHARGE WIDESPREAD PLOT
Criminal Prosecution May Be Outcome
Of Hearlng-eovernment May Re-
quest Many Separate lnJune-
tons to Strengthen Hand.

Chicago. - A nationwide sabotage
plot, characterized by government Of
iicals as the most gigantic and ruth
less ever organized in the United
States. will be publicly revealed in
connection with the battle to be waged
in Federal Judge Wilkerson's court
during the hearing for permanent in.
junction against officers and members
Of the striking shop crafts, according
to Information brought to the federal
building.
What the Data May Disclose.
1.-The wrecking of railroad equip
ment.
2-The murder Of certain persons at
tempting to obstruct the sabotage
campaign.
3-The wrecking OF locomotives.
(The materials to have been used in
this phase OF the plan are now in the
hands Of the government, it is said).
4-The throwing out of line of bear
lngs on pass snger, mail and freight
trains, causing wrecks that could be
blamed to poor equipment"
5-The burning of bridges.
6-Rendering signal systems mac
curate.
THE pulling of spikes from rails.
S-The obstruction Of mail
According to government plans, ac-
ton will not stop with the effort to
have Judge Wilkerson's temporary In
junction made permanent, but 1t is ex-
pected that wholesale injunctions will
be sought against members of the shop
crafts and sthike sympathizers.
The scope Of the federal programme
against the strikers became known fol-
lowing the arrival in Chicago OF a car
load of evidence said to have been col
lected in all parts of the country. Five
trucks were used to transport the ex-
hibits to the federal building, where
they are being guarded by 35 heavily
armed federal agents.
The evidence brought here is said
to contain thousands of kilograms, let.
ters. photographs, blue prints and
books. together with transcript of
statements of 1900 persons who have
been interrogated by federal authori-
ties.
Another carload OF evidence, report
ed to consist principally of tools OF vi
olence seized from striking shopmen,
is due to arrive in Chicago.
Shortly after the arrival OF the evi.
dence Oliver E. Pagan, tba govern
ment's indictment expert, arrived from
Washburn with Blackburn Easterline,
assistant to the collector general. 81.
multaneously 20 attorneys arrived from
the capital. James E. Beck, solicitor
general, will reach Chicago later.
It is said that most of the evidence
contained in the carload received will
be reviewed Immediately, since it has
been catalogued for hasty presenta-
don.
The first step the government win
take at the opening of the hearing, it
was odAu, Wiz bO W RAoSC O1 SAO Stesh2u
President Bert M. Jewell Of the shop
mems organization, when he will be
questioned as to his knowledge of gov
ernment charges. Jewell win be fol-
lowed by John Scott, secretary-treasur.
er Of the organization.
1t is said that the attorney general
will ask the issuance of forthwith"
subpoenas for all defendants in his In
junction petition who do not appear at
the hearing. 1t is understood at the
federal building that majority of the
240 union officials named in the peti-
ton do not intend to be present before
Judge Wilkerson, being under the i'm
preston that attendance by Jewell and
other leaders is sufficient.
Because of the criminal charges that
have grown out of the strike, however,
federal authorities will insist upon an
opportunity to question all defendants
before Judge Wilke: SON.
A court order also viii be asked. 1t
was said, for permission to seize addi-
tional books, records and things the
existence of which is known to gov
ernment agents.