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Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday November 20, 1918
Laredo, Texas – Charles Moyer Spews Bitter Venom at Bill Haywood
With great sadness we report and correct the half-truths and untruths spewed by Charles Moyer at Big Bill Haywood during the recent Pan American Labor Conference held at Laredo, Texas. Charles Moyer knows what it is to face the persecutions of the ruling class. He nearly lost his life in the 1913 Michigan Copper Miners strike when he was kidnapped, shot, and deported from the strike zone by company gunthugs.
From the Chicago Day Book of December 29, 1913:
He nevertheless returned to the strike zone after his release from the hospital, and was greeted by thousands of cheering strikers and their families. That this hero would now turn on his fellow workers brings deep disappointment and sadness.
From El Paso Morning Times of November 16, 1918:
Laredo, Texas, Nov. 15.-An attempt by Mexican delegates to the pan-American labor conference to have adopted a resolution aiming at the release from prison of Industrial Workers of the World today brought forth an attack on that organization by American labor leaders, who defeated the plan.
The opposition to the Mexican resolution, offered as a result of I. W. W. influence in Mexico, was led by Charles H. Moyer, who as president of the Western Federation of Miners several years ago had associated with him as secretary of that organization, William D. Haywood, now secretary and treasurer of the I. W. W., who is serving sentence under the espionage act.
Samuel Gompers, after the resolution had been introduced, drew out the fact that it was intended to aid imprisoned I. W. W. and at once all the executive council of the American Federation of Labor attacked the movement, which was warmly defended by some of the Mexican delegates.
From The New York Times of November 16, 1918:
Then came the climax. Charles [H.] Moyer, gray, bent, and lined, arose, and in a broken voice, denounced his former associates.
My name is Moyer-Charles [H.] Moyer. Many of you know me. More know of me. I am that Moyer who sat in the shadow of Death out of Boise, Idaho, with Bill Haywood and George Pettibone. I know that every word which has been told you of the American Federation of Labor aiding working men is true. My organization was not then a member of the federation, but it poured out its money for our defense.
Pettibone is dead. On his death bed, he blessed the federation for what it had done for him. I am alive and still working within the federation to show amy gratitude and my appreciation for what this, the only labor movement in the United States, is doing for humanity.
Moyer Warns Against Haywood.
Bill Haywood is alive-in prison, a fate he richly merits. From the day he was set free he has been working against the federation, to which he owes his life and liberty, and against organized society and the best interests of the workingman. I warn you against him and his propaganda. I especially warn the miners of Mexico against all this. You will never make progress, never achieve anything, if you join with the forces of disunion.
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Moyer’s Half-Truths and Untruths vs The Facts
Moyer:”My organization was not then [1906-1907] a member of the federation…”
In fact: True, the Western Federation of Miners not a member of the A. F. of L. at that time in question (1906-1907), but Moyer fails to mention that at that time the W. F. of M. composed the Metal Mining Department of the Industrial Workers of the World!
Moyer:”…but it [the A. F. of L.] poured out its money for our defense.”
In fact: We have failed to find a single donation made by the American Federation of Labor, as a whole, recorded in the Proceedings of the 1906, 1907, or 1908 W. F. M. Conventions. Certainly local chapters of member-Unions did make donations, most notably District No. 12, U. M. W. of A., of Springfield, Illinois, which on February 27, 1906, donated $5,000.
And further: Moyer fails to mention that donations were also made by W. F. M. locals (then part of the I. W. W.), other I. W. W. locals, as well as the Socialist Party of America.
From 1906 Proceedings, page 34:
The illegal arrest and kidnapping of our officers, and the indignities they have been compelled to submit to has, at last, awakened the wage-slaves of this country to a realization of the conditions that surround them. The large and successful protest and indignation meetings held throughout the country, at which stirring resolutions were adopted, and moneys collected for the defense fund, clearly demonstrates that the working class is becoming aroused, and that outrages of this nature perpetrated on the lives and liberties of innocent men by the hirelings of corporations will not be tolerated or be allowed to pass unnoticed. The officers and members of the Industrial Workers of the World should receive the heartfelt thanks of every member of our organization for their untiring and able efforts in behalf of our imprisoned brothers. Not only have they responded liberally with financial aid, but the successful protest meetings held throughout the country were, in a great measure, due to the activity displayed by members of that organization.
The United Mine Workers, the Brewery Workers, the Flint Glass Workers, and other unions and individuals, have generously contributed to the defense fund, and have invariably assured us of moral and financial support until such time as the victims of this conspiracy have regained their liberty and been restored to their friends and families.
The Socialist party, through their national secretary, has sent many hundreds of dollars to headquarters, and is doing everything in their power to secure for our officers a fair and impartial trial.
The Socialist press has also rendered invaluable aid in placing the facts in connection with these cases before the public, and has refuted the lying statements sent out by the capitalist press to prejudice public opinion against our members, whose only crime was “their loyalty to the working class.”
From the the 1907 Proceedings:
LOYALTY OF LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.
Since the kidnapping of Moyer, Haywood and Pettibone the labor organizations throughout the country, regardless of affiliations, have shown a generosity and a loyalty to the Western Federation of Miners that should command our deepest sense of gratitude. Organized labor, through its donations to the defense fund, has demonstrated that the union men of America and Canada recognize in this battle against the Federation [W. F. of M.] a deadly assault upon the labor movement of the country. The loyalty and generosity displayed by the hundreds of labor organizations that have responded in the fight of the Federation for its life, should convince us that a time is drawing nigh when the regiments of labor will come together in an invincible army to battle shoulder to shoulder for the industrial freedom of humanity.
Moyer: “…[the A. F. of L.], the only labor movement in the United States”
In fact: The absurdity of this statement should need no explanation. But since Brother Moyer saw fit to make the statement, we will have to rebutt it. Certainly, many fine Unions are affiliated with the A. F. of L. The mighty United Mine Workers of America, the spirited International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union, and others dedicated to organizing workers industrially and without regard to creed or color. However, the A. F. of L. continues to allow member organizations to practice exclusion based on creed and color, and furthermore, these unions are not punished for this shameful practice.
Despite the above named organizations, most of the member organizations practice Craft Unionism, leaving the great mass of American workers unorganized, especially the migratory workers: harvest workers, timber workers, etc. The Industrial Workers of the World was formed to fill that void, and was successfully organizing these workers until the Wilson Administration decided that it was a federal crime for the “timber beasts” and other migratory workers to receive a decent living for their labors.
The Industrial Workers of the World is continues organizing unorganized workers to this day in spite of jailed leaders, raids on union halls, and nation-wide persecution.
Furthermore, Moyer should well know the reasons behind the creation of the Industrial Workers of the World since he was a delegate from Western Federation of Miners to the founding convention in June of 1905. He was a member of the Constitution Committee and made this statement from the floor of the Convention:
DEL. MOYER: The Committee on Constitution, selected by this convention a few days ago, submit their report at this time. We fully realize that the matters set forth in the report submitted may not be sufficient to govern this organization in the future. We believe that we have submitted a form of constitution [including the Preamble of the I. W. W.] sufficient to launch this industrial movement. We have agreed upon this constitution, this report as read by the secretary of the Committee on Constitution and myself, with the exception of one member of the constitution committee.
With the exception of that one member we believe that this report, this form of constitution, should be adopted by this delegation and this industrial movement launched at this practical time…
Moyer:”Bill Haywood is alive-in prison, a fate he richly merits. From the day he was set free he has been working against the federation…and against organized society…”
In fact: from the day Fellow Worker Haywood was release from the Ada County Jail, he immediately set out to raise money for the defense of George Pettibone who was kept in jail awaiting trial. (Moyer was released on bond, and returned to Denver as President of the W. F. of M.) Haywood soon parted from his family in Denver and traveled across the country speaking to thousands of supporters. Always he reminded his audience that George Pettibone was still facing trial and that funds were needed.
The idea that the Haywood and/or the I. W. W. is “against organized society” is, of course, ridiculous. The I. W. W. is for industrial organizations above all else.
Preamble of the Industrial Workers of the World
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SOURCES
Death’s Door
The Truth Behind Michigan’s Largest Mass Murder
-by Steve Lehto
MI, 2006
https://books.google.com/books/about/Death_s_Door.html?hl=fr&id=o4JuAAAAMAAJ
Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday November 19, 1918
Laredo, Texas – A. F. of L. Defeats Plan to Assist I. W. W.
Charles Moyer Denounces I. W. W. & Big Bill Haywood at Laredo Pan American Labor Conference
The New York Times
(New York, New York)
-Nov 16, 1918
https://www.newspapers.com/image/26761253/?terms=haywood
Hellraisers Journal, Tuesday August 4, 1908
Denver, Colorado – W. F. of M. Makes Break Official
Western Federation of Miners Drops Industrial Workers of the World; Constitution Amended
The 1905 Proceedings of the Founding Convention of the
Industrial Workers of the World
Friday June 27 through Saturday July 8th, 1905
https://www.iww.org/history/founding
Women and the American Labor Movement
-from World War I to the Present
-by Philip S Foner
Free Press, 1980
Note: beware when buying this book. There is Volume I, Volume II (this volume) and a compilation (much condensed) of the two volumes, which is what one ends up with if seller is not careful.
https://books.google.com/books?id=5kKBAAAAMAAJ
Can be borrowed online here: hopefully, this is actually Vol. 2:
https://archive.org/details/womenamericanla01fone
Organized Labor and the Black Worker, 1619-1981
-by Philip S. Foner
International Publishers, 1982
https://books.google.com/books?id=SB5HAAAAMAAJ
The IWW
A Study of American Syndicalism
-by Paul Frederick Brissenden, Ph.D.
2nd Edition, NY, 1920
https://books.google.com/books?id=5CRAAAAAYAAJ
Re Defense Fund
May 28-June 13,1906, Denver WFM Convention
Defense Fund: Feb-March 1906 = $22,712.12
-see especially donation of $5,000 from UMW District 12, Illinois
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=Q8A3AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA72
June 10-July 3, 1907, Denver WFM Convention
Defense Fund: Apr 1906-Mar 1907 = $79,075.23
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=wq03AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA68
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=wq03AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA84
July 13-July 29, 1908, Denver WFM Convention
Defense Fund: Apr 1907-Mar 1908 = $71,180.47
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=0aM0AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA97
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=0aM0AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA127
Hellraisers Journal, Wednesday August 14, 1907
Chicago, Illinois – Big Bill Greeted with Red Flag Flying
“Red Flags Barred” in Chicago as Big Bill Haywood Arrives, Nevertheless “Red Flag Waves”
IMAGES
MI13, Moyer in Hospital, Day Book p29, Dec 29, 1913
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045487/1913-12-29/ed-2/seq-29.pdf
LRSB, Preamble, IWW Songs Gen Def Ed, Apr 1918
https://digital.wolfsonian.org/WOLF045327/00001/2j
See also:
Tag: Haywood-Moyer-Pettibone Case
https://weneverforget.org/tag/haywood-moyer-pettibone-case/
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Victory for Industrial Organization, Labor’s Gettysburg
1937 Sitdown Strike – Dan Hall