100 years ago in Spokane: Wobblies convicted of criminal syndicalism; Davenport dinged over syrup

Eight Wobblies were convicted in a Spokane courtroom of “criminal syndicalism” and sentenced to 30 days in the city jail, the Spokane Daily Chronicle reported.

Essentially, their crime was belonging to the Industrial Workers of the World, whose members were known as Wobblies. The city’s controversial criminal syndicalism ordinance made it a crime to be a member of the Wobblies or even to wear Wobbly buttons or badges. Spokane was among many cities and states to pass criminal syndicalism laws.

Two of the 11 men on trial in Judge Hurn’s courtroom were found not guilty, “because their membership cards were not included in the exhibits.” The 11th defendant had already been removed from the case because he was in the emergency influenza hospital.

In pronouncing sentence, Judge Hurn said, “I feel you men have gotten the wrong conception of our system of government and of what the people of this country feel toward you. No matter where you came from, from a foreign country or of native birth, there is no better system of government in force on earth than ours.”

From the restaurant beat: Ten Spokane restaurants, including the Davenport Hotel’s coffee shop, were fined $25 each.

Their transgression? They sold imitation maple syrup without mentioning the “imitation” part.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1922: The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed the right of women to vote.