Depredations already committed stunned the members of the Chamber of Commerce.
President Riesinberg called upon Beardsley, a prominent and intelligent rancher of the southern wheat-belt.

Beardsley said: "It is difficult to speak with any moderation of the outrageous eruption of the I.W.W.It is nothing less than rebellion, and the most effective means of suppressing rebellion is to apply a little of that 'direct action' which is the favorite diversion of the I.W.W.'s.
"The I.W.W.do not intend to accomplish their treacherous aims by anything so feeble as speech; they scorn the ballot-box.

They are against the war, and their method of making known their protest is by burning our grain, destroying our lumber, and blowing up freight-trains.

They seek to make converts not by argument, but by threats and intimidation.
"We read that Western towns are seeking to deport these rebels.

In the old days we can imagine more drastic measures would have been taken.