Hellraisers Journal: Fellow Workers at Chicago IWW Trial Draw Big Fines and Long Prison Sentences from Landis

Why should the temporary withdrawal
of a hundred members seriously affect
the welfare of a group composed
of nearly 100,000 laborers in
the United States alone?
-Big Bill Haywood
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Hellraisers Journal, Sunday September 1, 1918
Chicago, Illinois – Judge Landis Imposes Severe Sentences

From The Chicago Daily Tribune of August 31, 1918:

HAYWOOD GIVEN 20 YEAR TERM;
93 SENTENCED
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Big Fines and Prison Sentences
for the I. W. W.
—–

William D Haywood, “uncrowned king” of the Industrial Workers of the World, and ninety-two other principal officers and organizers, convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the American war program, were sentenced to terms ranging from one to twenty years in the federal prison at Leavenworth, Kas., and given heavy fines by Federal Judge K. M. Landis yesterday.

With Haywood fourteen of his principal aids must spend twenty years in prison; thirty-three others of the organization leaders must spend a maximum of ten years in prison; thirty-three others a maximum of five years, and twelve others one year and one day. Two of the defendants escaped with ten day sentences in the county jail, while the case against two others was continued.

The combined prison sentences of the defendants aggregates 807 years and 20 days.

Added to this prison penalty is a total of $2,300,000 in fines assessed against the ninety-three prisoners. Individual fines ranged from $20,000, the minimum, up to $30,000.

In Jail Here Till Friday.

The defendants were permitted to remain in the county jail until next Friday before they will be removed to the federal prison. In the meantime, George F. Vandeveer, chief counsel for the “Wobbles,” announced a writ of supersedeas will be asked of the Court of Appeals and petition will be made for enlargement upon bail. Ninety days’ time was granted in which to file bills of exception on behalf of the convicted men.

It is the closing chapter in America’s biggest criminal case,” was the only comment of Frank K. Nebeker, chief prosecutor for the government.

“We are confident a new trial will be granted.” said Mr. Vandeveer in behalf of the prisoners.

Haywood Is Belligerent.

But “Big Bill” Haywood-the “brains” of the great throng of migratory workers who, the jury found, attempted to block America’s war upon Germany, paralyze its industry, close its mines, destroy its shipping, ruin its grain and fruit crops, prevent enlistment of men in its army and navy and cause a general strike of all workers-was belligerently a braggadocio.

[He queried:]

Why should the temporary withdrawal of a hundred members seriously affect the welfare of a group composed of nearly 100,000 laborers in the United States alone?

We who have been on trial are only a handful; our fellows have kept up the organization and will continue to do so. The fight cannot end. The fundamental truth of internationalism will grow, and it cannot be stopped. The one big union will come-it is bound to-even with me in the penitentiary.

Landis Rips up Defense.

The courtroom scene as Judge Landis fixed the penalties was an extraordinary one. For two hours he had talked of the evidence, brusquely taking up the defense of those on trial and verbally tearing it to shreds. He pointed out how “the jury could have found no other verdict but that of guilty.”

[…..]

Light Sentence Misleads.

As he imposed the ten days’ sentence there was tense silence. As the light penalty was imposed, there was a distinct sigh of relief. Then snappily Judge Landis called the next batch, a lengthy one, who were given “a year and a day.” Then came the “five year men.” The faces of defendants were growing blanched. Mounting higher went the sentences until the group of fifteen, with “Big Bill” at their head, were marshaled at the bar and received the highest penalty, the maximum of twenty years.

Haywood made no show of emotion, though for him it probably means prison until death. He is past 50 years of age and has done prison “bits” before. To George Andreytchine, the young Russian poet, who, too, went down “for the long stretch,” it meant separation from his pretty bride. He had been expelled from his native land for plotting before coming to this country.

Another Poet Sentenced.

Then there was Ralph Chaplin, another poet, smiling and with face as white as chalk, and Carl Ahlteen of Minneapolis, editor of The Alarm, pale and nervously twisting his cravat.

Some of the other notables were Vincent St. John, who formerly held Haywood’s post as secretary-treasurer; J. A. McDonald [MacDonald] of Seattle, publisher of a radical paper; J. T. “Third Rail Red” Doran, a western coast leader, and Harrison George of Pittsburgh, whose printed vision of President Wilson and his cabinet in flight before an army of I. W. W. was an important factor in the trial. There was one Negro, Ben Fletcher of Philadelphia, who smiled as he took his ten year sentence, and said:

Judge Landis is using poor English today. His sentences are too long.

The procession to the bar and the fixing of the penalties occupied only a short time. Then, as the defendants filed out with long lines of guards on either side, the tension was lifted. Some waved to their women in the courtroom rear. In the corridor one prisoner became hysterical and screamed, but aside from that there was no commotion.

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[Photograph of Haywood added from Boston Globe of August 31st.]