I. W. W. is accused of doing, "without regard for right or wrong."
IMMEDIATELY, "anti-syndicalist" laws, aimed to outlaw the I. W. W., appeared simultaneously in many state legislatures; all were written exactly alike and evidently came from a central bureau. Commercial Clubs began new campaigns to exterminate the I. W. W. Then came the war, and the I. W. W., interested primarily in the Class War, was pilloried as "treasonable" and its "leaders" condemned to death—by the newspapers.
STRIKES started before the war, strikes for the eight hour day "sanctioned by society" in 1916, became "treason" when the calendar was turned to April 6th, 1917. Such a torrent of printed calumny and lies as never before was poured upon any organization filled the serpent press against the I. W. W. Violence, even lynching, was openly advocated and had its effect. At Kansas City the I. W. W. hall was raided many times and members were first beaten by militiamen and then arrested by the police. The city attorney openly stating that the militia had "permission to raid the I. W. W. hall whenever they please."
