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Name: J.A. "Jack" Griffith |
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Allegations: That
on 7/8/18 in the Blue Front Saloon in Billings (and
later in a nearby lodging house) said (referring to the IWW trial in Chicago)
"We are going to give this cock-sucking government a good fucking."
Defended by IWW attorney Geo. Vanderveer. Case details: Bartender
who talked to Griffith asked a man to take an old IWW card and make friends
with Griffith and his companion. The three went to the Star boarding rooms a
block away with a few beers. Griffith showed the man his IWW credentials and
literature and made the same prediction about the outcome of the mass IWW
trial in Chicago. A policeman came in and arrested Griffith and confiscated
his suitcase. Found guilty in jury trial. Served eight months. Released Oct.
1, 1919. State supreme court reversed, saying jury was influenced by his
strong language, but that the statement did not fall within the ambit of the
sedition law because it was not a statement regarding the form of government
of the United States, etc. 56 Mont. 241, 184 Pac. 219 (1919) #4340. Personal Information: Griffith
testified he had been a member of the IWW for about two years and worked as a
job delegate, empowered to collect dues and pass out literature. Said
he had been in Seattle and was on his way to work the harvest in North
Dakota. Date and place of death unknown.
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