100 years ago in Spokane: Vets come out against Wobblies

A meeting of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veteran’s organization, adopted a strong anti-Wobbly resolution.

It stated that “there exists in our midst a disloyal organization known as the Industrial Workers of the World, which is now and for some time past, has been teaching and practicing crime, sedition and treason.”

The resolution further stated that the Wobblies were guilty of conduct “contrary to the constitution and laws of the United States” and constitute “a menace to the safety and welfare of the nation, and the fair name of the city of Spokane.”

The resolution concluded by calling for city officials to “enforce existing laws” so that this “disloyalty, treason and sedition may cease.”

The resolution was introduced by William S. Lewis, a local historian, and was approved “almost unanimously” by the 200 people present.

The meeting was originally called for the purpose of recruiting members for two National Guard companies being organized locally.

Speakers targeted one other group as well: food pirates. That is, profiteers who were taking advantage of wartime conditions to charge too much for food staples.