WI: IWW goes underground

In September of 1917 the federal government moved against the Industrial Workers of the World, raiding 48 union halls across the United States initiating a campaign of active suppression of the union. As a direct result of these raids the IWW's fortunes declined considerably with many important leaders arrested, killed, or forced into de facto exile.

What if the IWW went underground in the months prior to the raids? Would that help the union survive and regain its former glory?
 
I don't see why, it would damage their reputation, hamper their operations, there wasn't any reason until suppression.
 
It would have to survive the Palmer Raids of 1919-1920 and the 1st Red Scare for a start. I think they would have to hide pretty deep until the Great Depression which would be a far friendlier climate for them. There was an internal split in 1924 that arguably caused as much damage as the arrest and imprisonment of the leadership. That would need to be survived, too.
 
It would have to survive the Palmer Raids of 1919-1920 and the 1st Red Scare for a start. I think they would have to hide pretty deep until the Great Depression which would be a far friendlier climate for them. There was an internal split in 1924 that arguably caused as much damage as the arrest and imprisonment of the leadership. That would need to be survived, too.

The OP actually meant before the 1917 raids.
 
I don't see why, it would damage their reputation, hamper their operations, there wasn't any reason until suppression.

In the years leading up to the actual mass arrests by the federal government the IWW was on the receiving end of a growing, extralegal campaign of suppression starting with the murder of Joe Hill. If the IWW received credible information proving the suppression was planned in advance it might give them enough of a warning to disappear.
 
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