PROCEEDINGS OF FIRST TWO DAYS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15724, 18 October 1916, Page 3

PROCEEDINGS OF FIRST TWO DAYS.

SOME OF THE EVIDENCE,

The Sydney papers 'which, reached Christchurch by yesterday's mail contain the evidence at the trial of Charles Reeve (30), Thomas Given (35), Peter Larbin (46), John Hamilton (42), Bernard Bob Besant (25), Thomas Moore (34), Donald McPherson (29), Donald Grant (27), "William Toen (30), William Beatty (30), Morris Joseph. Fagin (40), and John Benjamin King (46). CROWN PROSECUTOR'S OPENING. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr Lamb, K.C., said that tho charges arose out of fires in the city which it -was alleged were started in order to coerce the' Government in respect to difforent, questions, including conscription. Accused were members ot the Industrial Workers of the World. It was only by accident that there was not enormous'loss of life. If that had occurred the charge would have been one of murder instead of treason. The result of the crimjas was that many men and women were thrown .out of.employnient, i and the destruction of property ran into £250,000. If the fires had properly burnt the loss would have been about £I,ooo,ooo—that was if only the shops and warehouses concerned had burned.

Attempts "were made in different parte of tho city to start fires simultaneously So as to increase tho difficulties of the fire brigade. The T.W.W. preached sabotage. Some of these men were the associates of a notorious German n ho had escaped from the concentration camp. One harboured the [merman during the month of Julv. The hres wore discovered over tho "period from .June to S>eptoniber. It was impossible to prove how far these fires \vere due to the German influence, but tne assumption might be made that they were influenced by the association ii. °'l r - c - nc^ nles ' an< i the acts were of the kind that, would bp pleasing to The enemy. The organisation took steps to remove the identification marks or the German. The crim e was diabolical in design and devilish in execution. "SABOTAGE THEIR GOD." Sabotage seemed to be their god Some of the accused had been pushing the sale of a work called "Sabotage.'' This body preached destruction, and how thev could alter the conditions of mankind by knowing no law except that by which they were at liberty to destroy

everything that came in their way. Sabotage was recommended in tne Samphlet to force the Government to berate -Barker, one of the members who-was in gaol. Among the documents found would be shown some advocating sabotage to compass his release, which they had failed to obtain by legal means. The fires began early in June of this year, and the first fire was deliberately aimed at tho Government. since the building was owned by the State Government, and the goods in it by the Commonwealth. Some actually did the work of incendiaries, while others procured the chemicals with which the work was done. "BURN SYDNEY DOWN." On their own statement their object wa- to destroy property, regardless of the tives of their fellow-citizens. The charge was one of treason-felony. It' had been decided that levying war meant, if people were guilty of acts of violenco against the King and his subjects, or endangered tho life of his subjects in an endeavour to make tho Government change its mind, they were guilty of levying war. The object in this case had been to make the Government release Barker, and to coerce it to abandon the policv of conscription. The burning of many of the houses took place after Mr Hughes's great speech. On the day that his speech was ringing in tho hearts of patriots, a fire was raging not far from tho courthouse, which was started by one of tlieso men or their associates. A statement had been made that "We (the 1.W.W.) will burn Sydney down." Had the fires not been discovered, a great part of tho city would have been burned. These men did not hesitate to produce their fire-producing chemicals in shops which were open to tho public. When ' questioned regarding the fires. Teen, one of the accused, said, "Wo will teach tho Government to interfere with Barker and others." He also admitted that he had set fire to Stedman's, and had shortly afterwards telephoned to tho police, telling them that it was another of Barker's fires, and asking when thoy wero going to release him. Referring to a certain chemical, McPherson had said, "This is used for burning down places. Four or five had already gone, and there are many more. It will cost the capitalist £10,000 for every day Barker is in, i gaol." Shortly afterwards, attempts were made to burn down ten places in | the city. Other attempts had been frustrated.

'Somo of the buildings were saved by tho chemical not operating as expected. In some cases it operated too soon, and in others too late. There had been four big Pirns in Svdrcy lately, at Simpson's, Winn's. Stedman's, and tho Co-operative Stores. The actual dnnjagc done was £2-30,000. and about 500 people were put out of employment. An attempt to set fire to Mark Foy's bv means of two parcels of chemical-soaked waste was discovered in time. Facin had admitted that Simpson's and Winn's firos were tho work of the T.W.W.. and it would bo proved that Stedman's fire was the work of Teen. On August -31st. the dato of tho Prime Minister's speech, tho fire at the,. Co-operative Stores occurred. ABORTIVE ATTEMPTS. Tho remains of tho chemicals found in Mark Foy's wore anahsed, and found to bear traces of phospiiorus. At Saxton and Bums, whosr> property was valued at £70,000, and where 3WO employees were engaged, a parcel was found which burst into flame upon being opened in the manager's oflice. On the same day an attempt was - made at. Riley Bros. At Brown and Co.'s furniture store, in Cleveland street, burnt paper was found, and in both cases traces of phosphorus were found. Another fire was started at Beard and Co.'s shop, in Parramatta road, Glebe, on tho samo day, but burnt itself out, and an attempt was discovered at Burns, Philp, No.'3 wharf. Cotton wa6te and celluloid were found in the corfcefc.department*of Buckingham's in Oxford* street, on September Dt-li. The waste-burst into flame when discovered. On the previous daym an attempt was made at Nock and Kirby's, and there we're a number of customers and employees on the premises at the time. Oil September 9th an attemjpt was made, on Brennan's shop, in Newtown, and Mick Simmons' shop was attacked the same day_ though the fire was stamped out. The modus operandi seemed to be that a person simply walked into the place selected, and left a parcel containing waste soaked in a chemical preparation. In due course the parcel would burst into flames. The time of ignition depended upon the evaporation ;if one of the constituents of the preparation, and it was impossible to tell whether tho fire would breaV. out quickly or after a considerable lapse of time. In every case the charred remains of burnt places had been analysed, and phosphorus had been detected.

Secret meetings of the I.W.W. used to be held in Sussex street, and extraordinary precautions were takeu to maintain secrecy. A foreigner,, believed to be an Austrian, used to be present, and assisted in the drawing of t lots.to determine who should stTirt the fire. The foreigner held a. iiox which contained two biack discs and one red, and the men drew. The one who secured the rod disc was secretly told what place '.vas to be burnt. It would also be shown that Fagin, when arrested, had in his pof6ossion three cards, two black and one red. THE EVIDENCE. Detective Arthur Leary said that he saw McAllister go, in company with Mlbre, to the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth streets, near Foy's shop. Witness followed, and heard Moore say, "Ten or twelve of the should be let go together." Later McAllister and Moore went again from the' I.W.W. rooms to Foy's corner. He was unable to hear their conversation, with the exception of the one word "Fire."' When the warrant was read out to him, Moore said, "I admit I am a member ef the I.W.W. lam proud of it." FIND OF CHEMICALS. On September 11th witnes-s went to Mark Foy's, and upstairs, between some rolls of linoleum, he saw the remains of a fire. He collected some of the debris, consisting of ashes, burnt paper, and small pieces of cotton waste," and submitted them to tho Government Analyst. Since the accused had been locked up, said witness, there had been other fires—at Beard. Watson's, and Grace Brothers'. He had not inspected them. "SYDNEY SHOULD MELT.'' Detective Thomas J. Lynch said that on September 14th at 6 a.m., with Detective Matthews, witness took up a position in a building opposite the I.W.W. rooms. He saw Larkin, Glynn, Reeves. King, Moore, and Hamilton going in and out of tho I.W.W. rooms, and in conversation together and with others in the vioinit.v-. Before noon he saw Larkin in conversation with about sis or seven men at the doorway of the rooms. Larkin beckoned three men aside. Taking a brown bottle from his inside coat pocket, ho turned aside and appeared to sprinkle something from the bottle on to something; he held in his left hand, and then threw both his hands over his head. The same evening he saw Reeves walk a few paces away from the I.W.W. rooms with Moore. He pointed to tho buildings on the opposite side of the street, and put* his hands in a similar manner to what Larkin had done.

B[e was in the Domain on September 10th, when addresses were delivered by Tieeves, Larkin, Glynn, and Grant. Larkin, referring to the working of the I.W:W„ said. "We have a little scheme that will make the master classes quake in their shoes. I won't tell you what it is. because the police are listening. .No doubt some of you get me. As I have said before, it is far better that Sydney should, melt than that men should'bo cent away to-be butchered."

Witness went to the bed and mattress factory of Beard and Co., Glebe. Mr Beard showed him, in the basement of tho building, the remains of a .small fire on the top of some green Oregon timber. He "noticed, away from the main-body of tho fire, there-were small heaps of ashes, and what appeaiW to be cotton waste. These he collectcd and sent to the Government analyst. MORE COTTON WASTE. Detective Robson said that he. with other detectives, visited the I.W.W. rooms in Sussex street on September 23rd. In the. front room ho noticed a printing press. Questioned regarding the contents of a paper parcel on the floor, Besant said it contained some soiled clothes. "When the parcel was opened, however, it was found to contain cotton waste. Witness also produced a picture, banner, and literature found on the premises. The picturo represented a winged figure. • carrying • a flaming torch, - standing upon a pinnacle, with a background of factory buildings. The motto vas: —"Behold, I bring you freedom." Mr Lamb asked the magistrate to* look carefully at the picture, as it had a special significance. A roll of the members of the I.W.W. was produced, and the accused identified in it. Detective Miller said when he arrested Teen in the street near Mark Foy's he found in his overcoat pocket a bottlo containing a chemical which smelt liko phosphorus, and somo cotton waste. Teen protested that tho coat was given 1 to him at the I.W.W. rooms, and did not belong to him. On the second day of tho trial Detective Hooper said on September 7th last he saw the accused King at the Central Police Station. Witness'searched King's room that night, and in a small leather bag ho found a. number of posters, and a book entitled "Sabotage." INFLAMMATORY LEAFLETS. Mr Lamb: I will road these posters. There is one which reads: —"Sabotage, silently and jesuitically applied, will relieve Barker. Sink-the Boot. "Barker i.s still in gaol. "What are you doing to get him out? "Sabotage will do it.' '"Ca canny whilst Barker is in gaol. "The only language which talks with the Boss is profit. ■ "Show him that Barker in gaol does not pay. "Industrialists! One of the _ advocates of industrial unionism is in the bosses' gaol. Direct Action on the job will release him." FOREIGN ASSOCIATES. Proceeding the witness said he saw Hamilton at tho I.W.W. rooms, Sussex strce.t, and learned that he lived at 37 Albion street, Sydney. The placc was the residence of a German named Gehriuann,' and another German named David Leistuer, Karl Olsen. a Norwegian, and a Spaniard resided there. On searching Hamilton's room a further quantity of leaflets was found. Later he interviewed the accused Reeve, and learned that he lived at 58 Foveaux street. He, searched his room, and found a type-written document, and the book entitled "Sabotage." A leaflet or sticker was also found, which read: "Sabotage! Tho bosses' nightmare." "OUR WEAPONS." In the envelope which contained the stickers were a* number of newspaper cuttiugs The cuttings were put in as evidence. They were mostly from Duluth (U.S.A.) papers, and dealt 'with strike incidents in tho neighbourhood o|' that city, and the arrest of certain T.W.W. loaders. A cartoon from tho "Duluth News Tribune" -.was also attached. This was headed, "Getting Good Advice from All, Sides." (This depicted a man wearing a hat labelled "I.W.W. Agitator." In one hand he is carrying a " bomb, and in the other ■n. pistol, and the armg of_ law, industry, ana un'jnism are advising him to ■'get'out and stay out.") "/ ' : ' CRYPTIC LETTERS. Constable AVilliam Mackay identified Reeve's handwriting, and upon this Mr Lamb read letters by Reeve. One wa6 headed: To Sydney Local 2, September 20th, 1915. The extract read was as follows.—"At a fully-represent-ed meeting of Local 5 it was decided that, as far as lay in the power of the rebels in this part of Australia, thov-resent the cowardly and contemptible action of a fake Labour Government in gaoling Barker, under such, a capitalistic, tyrannical Act, known as the Necessary Precautions Act, and that this resentment will be expressed in no .unmistakable manner in the very .near future in this part of 'Gawd's owu.' Speaking last Sunday in Perth, I brought the case in'front of tho public and. a good deal of indignation was shown: I will bring the case up next Sunday again. We intend to circularise tho. unions here, asking for protests to be sent to the New South Wale's Government .in connexion "with the case, to show th'at the New South Wales, Government cannot gaol one member of .the working class with such impunity. Furthermore,' we are "instituting a systematic course of sabotage in Western Australia, knowing it is action that counts. I may-state incidentally the mast'-rs in Western Australia have already felt the' claws of the sab. cat—nuff sed. L'ntil Barker 1 is released kittens will be born in big batches. Greetings from, yours in revolt." The letter was signed "C. Reeve, Frcmantie.'-'

The second letter, written from Fremantle, was also headed, "Sydney Local, September 17th, 1915." The extracts read were:—'"Re Barker's case, all lor-als will make organised effort to gaiu Barker's release, and'prove in no unmistakable manner that the I.W.W. is a fighting factor, and. its members are not to be gaoled with impunity. Supposing we institute a sab. cat campaign in a highly scientific manner and uphold the' traditions of the movement. We will, and can, fall in with any and all plans at this part of the eouhtry, operating with Sydney and all other locals. I am sure you will hear from this focal in good style as soon as I ~et into harness again. Let us see to .it the kittens travel and Bryant, nn*l Mays is not dead yet. T°ll all rebels to rmt on the shoes and kick like hell. It's high time something was done, and now's the time to do it." The letter concluded, "Greetings to all rebels and yours for the kittens. C. Reeve 18 South street. South Fremantle." DOMAIN SPEECHES. Constable Mackav produced notes which he took of speeches delivered !n the Domain. He heard Glynn say 'I don't believe in sending soldiers to fight and sacrifice, their lives to satisfy the ruling classes. Sabotage is tho only effective weapon by which the working class can combat the master class. I urge you to purchase this book ('Sabotage') and to read, mark, and learn the methods of sabotage. Don't forget to put. it into practice. It is your only weapon to defeat the bosses.' 1 Grant said, ''Barker has been sentenced, and i-> going to gaol for telling tho truth. It is quite evident that anything the I.AY.W. publish will be searched for offences against the War Precautions Act. For eyen- day Tom Barker is in Long Bay it will cost the capitalist. £10.000. I am a rebel, and know no king, and have got the guts to fignt for the class to which I belong." On September 3rd Grant again spoke in the Domain. H<? said: — ''We will keep up this fight. If we are sent to gaol,' a wave of indignation will arise throughout Australia, and they will be forced to let us out. A few days in gaol have been meted out to every agitator that i 6 worth a " He also said .-—"Become educated/The working classes can only put up a fight by being organised industrially. We must see to it that the working classes are now prepared to put, bayonet against bavon* t. baton against baton, for if thev don't there is only alternative—go down for "ever. Therefore, we should depend upon our forces in.this

shops, our industrial forces." _ On September 10th Grant also said in the Domain:—"At the Central Police Court there is no justice. You are removed from the court, and they tako your photo, in different ways. I am going to say that if tho High Court upholds the decision of the lower Court, there is going to be an uproar in this country."' Ho also said: "Next week wo start an agitation to present this case before tho public, and it has been agreed that I go to Broken Hill, where we have a great deal more freedom of speech." TRAMPLE ON THE LAWS. Larkin also said: "If my class doom me, and sontcnco me. I am prepared to take tho medicine, but the parasites that are paid by the master class, from wee Georgie down, try me and sentence me. I spit upon the laws, and the day will come when my class will trample on tho laws. You can't speak on conscription, because of parasites. The boys are prepared, if need be. to show them the ravages of war that are to bo seen in Dublin. Far better to see Sydney melfc into tho ground than to see the men of Sydney taken away and butchered, for any body of infidels. I say to you now that the working class can tako me out of prison. You are the Government; you are the people. If you say I'm to stop in gaol, I will be only" too pleased. If you say I've got to come out. then show you are prepared to stand by tbat statement, [and make Australia the hottest place on earth for all parasites and masters." Tho witness, in answer to Mr James, read several other extracts from his notebook. One of them reported Larkin a« saying:—"Send mo to Pari liament, and if the environment be J strong enough I may turn Billy Hughes out. Put a beggar on horseback and ho will ride to hell- Put a working man in Parliament, and he will ride to the devil. T only know of two politicians who ever struck out, and they were Hardic, the Scotch miner ." The other name the witness said he did not War." Larkin (from the dock): Tt was Michael Davitt. MORE SPEECHES. . Sergeant Browd produced notes of speecnes delivered in the Domain on August 27th. Larkin said: "I am going to organise tho men throughout the Commonwealth if they attempt to force conscription, - ' and force the manacles on tne hands of the workers of Australia, and we will do aB the boys did in Dublin. I ©ay, don't beoome hired murderers and fight for tho boss who is causing you misery. Soldiers who have returned never went to tight. They went to pimp and rob dead soldiers. They were bludgers on women, some of them." On the same day. Glynn said: Conscription speeches have been made, and resolutions passed, but there is one method they won't allow you to advocate to-day. and that is sabotage. The censor will pass anything but that. We say if capitalists are to. sabotage our lives, you sabotage their property. If they bring.in a Conscription Bill it will be the signal for an industrial disturbance that will spread throughout Australia. I don't know what will become of Hughes then. AY e v want to tell you that the time has arrived when the working class of this country must take their destiny in their own bands. Neither Parliament nor the P.L.L. can do it for you. The Labour Leagues can no longer depend on Parliament. They have beon gulling you for 25 years. You must be your own saviour 6 in any serious danger. The censor is giving 'Direct Action' a fair run. but, if he gets busy with his pencil, we mieht get busy in another direction, and there would be'something doing." At this stage the further hearing was adjourned.