I studied carefully the New York East Side,
the slums, the dives, and the sweatshops
and the terrible conditions of the people there
drove me into socialism.
-Elizabeth Gurley Flynn
Hellraisers Journal, Sunday September 22, 1907
Chicago, Illinois – Miss Flynn Delegate to I. W. W. Convention
From Montana’s Great Falls Daily Tribune of September 21, 1907:
Detail:
—–
Elizabeth Flynn of New York, still in high school, only 17 years of age, has attracted the attention of a host of Philadelphians by her nightly exhortations to those who crowd to hear her. Her theme is socialism and she has not hesitated to bring into her discussions the names of the president of the United States, John D. Rockefeller and other well known persons who are much in the public eye and the public mind. She says the president is insincere in his attack on capital and adds that the downfall of the last named element is bound to come through the concerted action of the downtrodden working classes.
The above report regarding the young Miss Flynn preaching Socialism in the city of Philadelphia is a bit out of date. She was found soapboxing in that city shortly before making her way, unaccompanied, to Chicago. At this time, she can be found in the Windy City attending the Third Annual Convention of the Industrial Workers of the World as a delegate from New York Local No. 179.
From The Industrial Union Bulletin of September 7, 1907:
From The Industrial Union Bulletin of September 21, 1907:
[…..]
The Convention Report
This issue of THE BULLETIN contains the regular Stenographic Report complete for Tuesday, September 17. It was on that day that the delegates from the United Miners appeared on the floor, and the interesting discussion is printed in full.
On the day following (Wednesday) the big debate on the preamble came up, and appears in the regular Stenographic Report which is printed daily while the convention lasts.
The original price on the daily report is reduced to 10 cents, mailed every day to those ordering it. General headquarters has a supply of each day’s proceedings and is prepared to fill orders as soon as they arrive. Order now, and get this valuable report of a most important Convention in the hands of members and friends.
The preamble remains unchanged, by a vote of 113 to 15, but you should by all means read the debate occupying one entire session.
The work of the Convention is proceeding systematically and the future of the I. W. W., by reason of the harmony prevailing and the fidelity of the delegates to their working class mission, is brighter than ever before.
SOURCES & IMAGES
Great Falls Daily Tribune
(Great Falls, MT)
-Sept 21, 1907
(Also source for image of Miss Flynn.)
https://www.newspapers.com/image/237948676/
Hellraisers Journal, Tuesday September 10, 1907
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Miss Flynn Lectures on Socialism
Miss Elizabeth Flynn, Girl Socialist, Found on Soapbox Lecturing on Philadelphia Street Corner
Hellraisers Journal, Wednesday September 18, 1907
Chicago, Illinois – Girl Socialist Is I. W. W. Delegate
IWW Convention Begins in Chicago; Young Delegate, Miss Flynn, Talks Socialism on Street Corner
The Industrial Union Bulletin
(Chicago, Illinois)
-Sept 7, 1907
(Source for image of text.0
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/industrialworker/iub/v1n28-sep-07-1907-iub.pdf
-Sept 21, 1907
(Source for image of masthead.)
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/industrialworker/iub/v1n30-sep-21-1907-iub.pdf
See also:
Proceedings of Third Annual Convention
Industrial Workers of the World
Chicago, Illinois
-Sept 16-Sept 24, 1907
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/unions/iww/1907/iww_conv_1907.pdf
Deseret Evening News
(Salt Lake City, Utah)
-Sept 21, 1907
(Same image found in a few other papers, including DEN.)
https://www.newspapers.com/image/87255888/
GIRL SOCIALIST ATTACKS PRESIDENT.Elizabeth Flynn of New York, still in high school, only 17 years of age, has attracted the attention of a host of Philadelphians by her nightly exhortations to those who crowd to hear her. Her theme is socialism and she has not hesitated to bring into her discussions the names of the president of the United States, John D. Rockefeller and other well known persons who are much in the public eye and the public mind.
Images of Miss Flynn above help to date this famous photo:
EGF, ab Sept 1907, LOC
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005686058/
