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Hellraisers Journal – Thursday July 22, 1909
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania – Strikers Cheer Socialists at Mass Meeting
From The Pittsburg Press of July 19, 1909:
“NO SURRENDER” IS SLOGAN OF THE STRIKERS
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American Workmen Are Not Fooled by Ruse and
Refuse to Take Places of Men Who Quit
—–CHEER ADDRESSES MADE BY SOCIALIST LEADERS
—–While the Pressed Steel Car Co.’s attempt to resume work in full this morning at its McKees Rocks plant failed utterly, the strikers held a rousing meeting of several hours’ duration, at which they agreed to stick together and fight indefinitely.
An impressive scene was presented on the Indian Mound, which from the beginning of the strike has been used as the meeting place for the workmen. Between 4,000 and 5,000 men and women of many nationalities congregated there and were addressed in stirring manner in their own languages by speakers of more than local repute.
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One and all counseled an absolute avoidance of violence, but urged the men to stick together and stand out to the bitter end in the fight. The speakers were greeted with wild demonstrations of approval, and the whole big gathering is now more solidly in harmony to win along peaceful lines than at any time since the strike was declared.
J. W. Slayton, district organizer for the Socialistic party in Pittsburg, attended the meeting and spoke to the English workmen. Rose Maritzer, a Socialist worker from New York, who has been brought here, made an eloquent appeal to the men to stand together and quietly and peacefully to resist the impositions of the company. Her appearance was greeted with prolonged cheers, and the effect of her words was electrical, the ensuing enthusiasm taking the form of vociferous enthusiasm, tossing of hats in the air and pledges to continue the fight.
The consensus of all the speeches was “Cut out all violence, and stick together.”
The president of the grievance committee of the strikers created a sensation by announcing that he had been approached by six men who had suggested to him that he and the vice president go with them to the company’s office in Pittsburg and arbitrate the matter. This offer had been refused as a plot was feared, when their counter proposal that all 10 members of the committee attend the conference was not accepted.
“It’s easier to corrupt two men than 10,” said the president of the committee, “and we know they can’t bribe all 10.”
Cheers and laughter greeted this remark.
The committee left at the conclusion of the meeting to look over the strikers’ answer to the bill filed Saturday by the Public Defense Association. The answer was filed about noon today…..
[Photograph of Rose Maritzer added; emphasis added.]
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SOURCES
Quote Mother Jones, re Ruling Class, AtR p2, Jan 23, 1909
https://www.newspapers.com/image/66981597/
The Pittsburg Press
(Pittsburg, Pennsylvania)
-July 19, 1909, Evening
https://www.newspapers.com/image/141326899
IMAGE
McKees Rocks Strike, Rose Maritzer Socialist, Ptt Prs p1, July 20, 1909
https://www.newspapers.com/image/141327549/
See also:
TAG: McKees Rocks Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909
More from The Pittsburg Press of July 19, 1909:
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Which Side Are You On? – Billy Bragg