Furious at the realization of their own impotency the “interests” launched forth upon a new campaign.  This truly machiavellian scheme was devised to make it impossible for accused men to secure legal defense of any kind.  All labor cases were to be tried simultaneously, thus making it impossible for the defendants to secure adequate counsel.  George F. Russell, Secretary-Manager of the Washington Employers’ Association, addressed meetings over the state urging all Washington Prosecuting Attorneys to organize that this end might be achieved.  It is reported that Governor Hart, of Washington, looked upon the scheme with favor when it was brought to his personal attention by Mr. Russell.

However, the fact remains that the lumber trust was losing and that it would have to devise even more drastic measures if it were to hope to escape the prospect of a very humiliating defeat.  And, all the while the organization of the lumber workers continued to grow.

In Washington the situation was becoming more tense, momentarily.  Many towns in the heart of the lumber district had passed absurd criminal syndicalism ordinances.  These prohibited membership in the I.W.W.; made it unlawful to rent premises to the organization or to circulate its literature.  The Employers’ Association had boasted that it was due to its efforts that these ordinances had been passed.  But still they were faced with the provocative and unforgettable fact, that the I.W.W. was no more dead than the cat with the proverbial nine lives.  Where halls had been closed or raided the lumber workers were transacting their union affairs right on the job or in the bunkhouses, just as though nothing had happened.  What was more deplorable a few Union halls were still open and doing business at the same old stand.  Centralia was one of these; drastic measures must be applied at once or loggers in other localities might be encouraged to open halls also.  As events prove these measures were taken—­and they were drastic.

The Employers Show Their Fangs

That the Employers’ Association was assiduously preparing its members for action suitable for the situation is evidenced by the following quotations from the official bulletin addressed privately “to Members of the Employers’ Association of Washington”.  Note them carefully; they are published as “suggestions to members” over the written signature of George F. Russell Secretary-Manager: 

June 25th, 1918.—­“Provide a penalty for idleness ...  Common labor now works a few days and then loafs to spend the money earned ...  Active prosecution of the I.W.W. and other radicals.”

April 30th, 1919.—­“Keep business out of the control of radicals and I.W.W....  Overcome agitation ...  Closer co-operation between employers and employees ...  Suppress the agitators ...  Hang the Bolshevists.”

May 31st, 1919.—­“If the agitators were taken care of we would have very little trouble ...  Propaganda to counteract radicals and overcome agitation ...  Put the I.W.W. in jail.”