I.W.W. ROOMS RAIDED.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1917, Page 3

I.W.W. ROOMS RAIDED.

REVOLVERS AND COUNTERFEIT COINS.

Sydney, July 23. A dramatically sudden raid was made by the police upon the I.W.W. rooms, at 403, Sussex Street, City, last night, and a haul of literature, addresses and other articles secured.

Planned by the Inspector-General of (Police (Mr James Mitchell), Superintendent Tait, and other officers, the arrangements were such that every detail, including the searching of about 500 persons, amongst whom were many women, was accomplished quickly. The police knew the time when the I.W.W. speakers left their customary Sunday night speaking station in Bathurst Street, in order to go to their hall in Sussex Street. Last night the addresses in the street had attracted a great crowd, which accepted the invitation to come and see the I.W.W. leaders at an "At Home," so to speak. The hall was consequently packed, and an overflow meeting was being held outside it when the police arrived. Cordons were drawn across Sussex Street, at Hnv Street and Goulbourn Street, and Sergeant Tait, Assistant Superintendent keiiy, inspector Walker, Sergeants Vincent, Jordan, Gallagher and others entered the building and closed the doors. Sergeants Vincent, Jordan and Gallagher went to the basement to bar egress from that quarter. There was a bit of a commotion when the police entered, and the sound of tearing paper and cards was heard. Inspector Walker, in a loud voice, assured the assemblage that nothing would be done to hurt them. He only wanted to read a proclamation. The inspector was invited by a lady to get on the platform. He accepted the invitation, the speaker then on it giving to him. The inspector read a proclamation authorising them to search the premises and seize all papers therein. "I won't be searched by a female searcher," said a young and rather handsome woman.

"Please yourself, madam," said the inspector. "There are plenty of policemen here as well, but you'd better wait till the last." The woman decided to exercise a woman's perogative, and change her mind. She was one of the first out. The searching of the women was what the police call not quite thorough, because there were not many woman police searchers there.

In the case of the men it was different. They were searched thoroughly. Many admitted being members of the 1.W.W., but the tearing of paper and cards showed that others had seized the opportunity of destroying their pence-cards and application for membership forms. These were scattered over the floor as if there had been a snowstorm.

The articles found included two loaded revolvers, which were in the possession of fully paid-up members, and a sling shot, consisting of a ball of lead wrapped in leather and on a short strap. The latter had no owner. It was with the torn paper on the floor. A counterfeit 2/ piece was also picked up from the floor, and three more counterfeit coins were discovered.

'•lt was explained that these last coins," said Inspector Walker, "were taken in the Domain, and that is probably correct. Quite a number of such coins are used in that area. After the search was over, and the' names, addresses and occupations of all present taken, Mr. Barker was escorted by Sergeants Dclvin, Downey, Robertson, and Keogh, to his home at 2S, Francis Street City. This place was also searched, and a number of books secured." One man protested against giving particulars at the meeting. "I came in here by accident," he said. "My wife invited me to come with lier, and so I'm pinched.'' "That's all right; nothing will happen to you," said an inspector. "Ju9t take: things cooly." Many "rpd" and "yellow" pamphlets and the notorious "Sabotage" pamphlet were found, also some "hymn books." The latter contain some Socialist songs, but a hurried search failed to reveal the "Hymn of Hate" among the®.,