Centralia Massacre, Centralia, Wash., 1919; Industrial Workers of the World; Lumber trade -- Washington (State)
8. Did the defendants get a fair and impartial trial? Verdict, "No." The
most damaging evidence of a conspiracy by the business men of Centralia,
of a raid on the I.W.W. hall, was ruled out by the court and not permitted
to go to the jury. This was one of the principal issues that the defense
sought to establish.
Also the calling of the federal troops by Prosecuting Attorney Allen was
for no other reason than to create atmosphere. On interviewing the judge,
sheriff and prosecuting attorney, the judge and the sheriff informed us
that in their opinion the troops were not needed and that they were
brought there without their consent or knowledge. In the interview Mr.
Allen promised to furnish the substance of the evidence which in his
opinion necessitated the presence of the troops the next morning, but on
the following day he declined the information. He, however, did say that
he did not fear the I.W.W., but was afraid of violence by the American
Legion. This confession came after he was shown by us the fallacy of the
I.W.W. coming armed to interfere with the verdict. Also the presence of
the American Legion in large numbers in court.
Theodore Meyer, Everett Central Labor Council; John O. Craft, Seattle
Metal Trades Council; E.W. Thrall, Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen,
Centralia; W.J. Beard, Tacoma Central Labor Council; Otto Newman, Portland
Central Labor Council; P.K. Mohr, Seattle Central Labor Council.
The above report speaks for itself. It was received with great enthusiasm
by the organizations of each of the jurymen when the verdict was
submitted. On March 17th, the Seattle Central Labor Council voted
unanimously to send the verdict to all of the Central Labor Assemblies of
the United States and Canada.
Not only are the loggers vindicated in defending their property and lives
from the felonious assault of the Armistice Day mob, but the conspiracy of
the business interests to raid the hall and the raid itself were
established. The participation of Warren O. Grimm is also accepted as
proved beyond doubt. Doubly significant is the statement about the "fair
and impartial trial" that is supposed to be guaranteed all men under our
constitution.
Nothing could more effectively stamp the seal of infamy upon the whole
sickening rape of justice than the manly outspoken statements of these six
labor jurors. Perhaps the personalities of these men might prove of
interest:
E. W. Thrall, of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, Centralia, is an old
time and trusted member of his union. As will be noticed, he comes from
Centralia, the scene of the tragedy.
Otto Newman, of the Central Labor Council, Portland, Oregon, has ably
represented his union in the C.L.C. for some time.
W.J. Beard is organizer for the Central Labor Council in Tacoma,
Washington. He is an old member of the Western Federation of Miners and
remembers the terrible times during the strikes at Tulluride.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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