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Hellraisers Journal – Friday May 16, 1919
Mother Jones News for April 1919, Part I
-Found Speaking to Strikers in Rockford, Illinois
From Rockford Morning Star of April 9, 1919:
“MOTHER” JONES TELLS STRIKERS NOT TO GIVE UP
—–OVER 2,000 PERSONS CROWD ARMORY TO HEAR
WOMAN LEADER OF LABOR.
—–SAYS SHE’S BOLSHEVIK
—–
Don’t go back to work until you get an eight-hour day! Don’t go back to work until you get more pay, because the cost of living is going up! I have got to go away tonight, but I am coming back, and if you have not enough officers to continue this fight, let me know, and I will put ’em on the scrap pile.
With this declaration “Mother” Jones the eighty-nine year old woman leader of labor, closed her address before a mass meeting of Rockford’s furniture strikers at Armory hall Tuesday afternoon, which brought forth a tremendous ovation from over 2,000 persons who had crowded the hall to hear the comments of a veteran on the struggle between capital and labor.
[She said:]
The trouble with us is that we have used our brains to build up industry and have created wealth by the billions and haven’t asked where this wealth is going to. But the pendulum is now swinging in another direction. We are not pleading any longer-we are demanding! The time has come to demand. I have no use for the cringing slave. We are now facing a new regime.
Says She’s a Bolshevik.
In speaking of the so-called bolsheviki movement which started in Russia and which she claims has spread to other nations and is terrorizing capital, she said:
I went to Washington to find out what a bolsheviki was. In a library there I found out it meant the rule of the majority.
It is simply the rising and organization of the laboring class to take over the ownership of industry. I am a bolshevik and am for government ownership. I will tell Mr. Manufacturer who has robbed labor that he had better look out or the government will own his business.
Attacks Manufacturers
In referring to the capitalistic interests, she stated her conviction that the manufacturers belong to “the chamber of crooks.”
The bodies of the boys in France did not bleach in vain and not only must the kaiser of Germany go, but also must the commercial kaiser of America. The day for the dollar pirate has gone.
“America was founded on a union,” said “Mother” Jones in replying to a statement alleged to have been made by a secretary of one of the Rockford furniture factories “that he would not sell his brains to the union.” She continued, “the founders of this great republic said we had to get together or the other fellow would get us. The mother of that secretary should be proud of her son,” she exclaimed sarcastically.
The fight is up to you men. Don’t you surrender an inch. Mr. Manufacturer had better take a day off and learn something. If they bring any scabs here I will bring 20,000 men to Rockford and we will wipe them out.
Your employers said that they would close their factories for a year or longer. Let them. They won’t be here that long.
[She remarked, pointing to the American flag:]
That flag was founded 140 years ago by the blood of men, for men, not a few millionaires. The time has come to fight! Fight! Fight!
Local Organizer Speaks.
John E. Peters, local union organizer preceded “Mother” Jones and addressed the audience, briefly giving the strikers a few words of encouragement.
[He said in part:]
I want to congratulate all of you on the spirit that you have displayed up to date. You have displayed a greater solidarity than in any other industry. There has not been a wheel turned in any of the factories since you struck. You have proved that you are going to stick it out to the finish.
Today heads from several other labor organizations in this city offered to contribute money to us. I did not accept it, but may in a few days. If we need more money we will send “Mother” Jones out to all the big labor centers and she will collect all we need.
If the manufacturers like the strike we can call out every laborer in Rockford, if we have to, and give them all of this medicine that they like.
Deadlock Continues.
Outside of the few mass meetings that are planned for this week the local strike situation of Rockford’s furniture workers remains unchanged. W. H. Rodgers government conciliator., who was here last week is expected to return from Moline this morning and will continue his investigation into the causes of the disagreement and the equities of the situation.
It is understood that the employes of other industries in this city will not strike for the present, but should the furniture manufacturers continue to hold out. It is claimed that Mr. Peters will ask other labor locals to strike to assist them in inducing the manufacturers to meet their demands.
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Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1919
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From Pennsylvania’s Monongahela Daily Republican of April 2, 1919:
EIGHT-HOUR DAY IS CELEBRATED
—–Charleroi, April 1.-The anniversary of the inauguration of the eight-hour day in the mining districts of Pennsylvania was celebrated by the miners of this section in Charleroi and Monessen today by a parade and speaking.
The parade formed in Charleroi on Washington and Fallowfield avenues after the arrival of a special train from Millsboro, which carried hundreds of mine workers from up-river sections, and which arrived shortly after 10 o’clock. Prior to that time street cars had carried large delegations from nearby towns, Bentleyville and Ellsworth being represented by hundreds of workers. Cokeburg was also well represented, while the various mining communities up and down the river and within ten miles of Charleroi had many in the demonstration.
A special car from Canonsburg arrived about 10 o’clock, carrying a number of soldiers just recently discharged from the United States service. They joined with a number of local soldiers and formed the escort to the parade.
It is estimated that there were at least 2,000 men in line with a number of bands being placed at intervals. The Citizens band of California, the Charleroi, the Slovak and the Fredericktown band were among the number. A large number of American flags were carried, as well as Union banners and mottoes. A badge largely worn by the miners declared for a six-hour day and an advance in wages.
The parade marched down McKean avenue and crossed the bridge into Monessen, being led by “Mother” Jones in an automobile.
From Rockford Morning Star of April 5, 1919:
MOTHER JONES WILL ADDRESS STRIKERS HERE
—–LABOR LEADERS FROM CHICAGO WILL BE IN
ROCKFORD SOON FOR CONFERENCE.
—–Mother Jones, whose interest in questions of dispute between organized labor and capital has gained for her a nation wide reputation as the friend of the working man, will be in Rockford to address the striking furniture workers at a mass meeting of the local union men at the armory hall Tuesday afternoon, it was announced by John E. Peters, local union organizer, upon his return from Chicago last night. Mr. Peters stated that W. S. Hutchins [William Hutcheson], president of the Carpenters’ International union and Edward Brims, head of the Chicago labor council, will come to Rockford during the latter part of next week to confer with the strikers.
First Demonstration.
The big mass meeting Tuesday at which Mother Jones will be the chief speaker, will be held at 2 o’clock on the afternoon. This will be the first thing in the way of a demonstration made by the men since the factories were closed, although several meetings of the interested unions have been held for the purpose of transacting routine business. It is expected that this will be the first of a series of meetings which will continue throughout the strike…..
From The Rockford Daily Register-Gazette of April 8, 1919:
MOTHER JONES MILD AS TO DIET ANYWAY
—–FORTIFIES WITH MILD TOAST BEFORE ADDRESSING
MEETING HERE TODAY.
—–SPEAKS AT ARMORY
—–
Hall Is Packed When Mother Jones
Begins Her Address Shortly
Before 3 O’Clock.
—–Milk toast and strike talk! A strange combination surely. Anyone who has ever heard “Mother” Jones address a meeting of strikers or has read of her work among the miners of the country might have a hard time imagining her preparing for an afternoon of work by eating a meal of milk toast. Yet that is what she did today in Rockford. Local friends and reporters had luncheon with her.
Born in a mining district, her father a miner, her husband a miner, who was accidentally killed in a strike years ago, the spirit of the laborer’s champion was born and bred in the little old lady, with her white hair and mild eyes who has won the title of “Mother” Jones and who is known to organized labor the country over.
[Note: Mother Jones was born in County Cork, Ireland. Her father, Richard Harris, was a laborer with railroad construction crew in Toronto. Her husband, George Jones, was an iron molder and a staunch member of the Iron Molders’ Union. He died in the fall of 1867, along with all of her four children, during the yellow fever epidemic which swept Memphis where they were living that tragic year.]
“Mother” Jones holds no college degrees. She possibly wouldn’t recognize a class in political economy if she saw it, but she has a deep rooted faith in organization as the strong-hold of labor, and in the laboring man’s right to a higher standard of living and the means thereto.
“Did you speak at all during the recent campaign in Chicago?” she was asked.
Man Must Save Self.
“No. I’ve no time for such things, she answered with a sudden scorn in her voice and eyes.
It doesn’t make any difference what man is elected. He can’t save the others. Salvation lies in the people themselves. I don’t want anyone to lay down his rules for my salvation. Neither does the workingman. He has to save himself. He doesn’t need any other savior.
Rockford’s strike was nothing imposing to her. It was just another milestone on the road to her Mecca, labor triumphant, recognized, raised to a higher level.
“What if you had seen ten thousand men on strike at once?” she said when asked what she thought.
K. W. Kelso of Chicago, is also here as representative of the Carpenters’ District Council.
A crowd that filed the armory to capacity gathered to listen to “Mother” Jones, who sat on the platform looking like some one’s grandmother, save that her hands held no peaceful knitting.
J. E. Peters, business agent of the Cabinet Makers’ association, spoke first, assuring the striking furniture workers that sufficient financial backing had been secured to make possible the continuance of the strike until their demands are granted.
“We have no desired to hold up industry,” he said, “but we want our rights and we’ll get them. We’ve shown what we can do and we can do more.”
A volley of applause greeted “Mother” Jones She is “for” labor, first, last and always but she believes in an intelligent, reasoning labor, producing wealth understandingly and claiming its just share of it.
[She said:]
They’ll close their factories for a year? or for ten years? Why, in ten years we’ll own the factories. It’s our brains that build the machinery, that build the industries, and we’ll reap the reward of our brainwork.
Very emphatic, very enthusiastic, very enthusiastic, very much in earnest was “Mother” Jones.
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From The Rockford Republic of April 8, 1919:
Page 2: Mother Jones, Bolshevik?
MOTHER JONES SAYS SHE’S A BOLSHEVIK
—–
Labor’s Veteran Woman Champion in Fine Form
at Meeting This Afternoon.
—–
Mother Mary Jones, with characteristic vehemence, declared this afternoon at Armory hall where a large crowd of striking furniture workers gathered that she was a Bolshevik.
[She stated:]
Bolshevik means in Russian rule of the majority. Bolshevism is spreading all over Europe and the powers are shaking. Bolshevism will spread throughout this country.
Mother Jones expressed herself as being highly gratified at the spirit of co-operation between the labor organizations of Rockford.
[She said:]
Do not worry about funds. There will be plenty of money to finance your “hold-out.” There will be no starvation. I can raise more money for “my boys” in a day than the average person can in a year. In the olden days the workers used to eat the crumbs from their masters’ tables. They are soon to have a seat at the table.
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[Photograph added is from page 1.]
Page 9: Mother Jones Speaks to Strikers
STRIKERS LISTEN TO MOTHER JONES
AT MASS MEETING
—–
Woman Leader of Organized Labor Tells Strikers
That They Must Bury Dictatorship-
Other Leaders Speak.
—–“Mother” Mary Jones, the woman whose activities in behalf of organized labor have brought her fame throughout the entire country, paid Rockford her third visit today when she came to address the furniture industry strikers at their huge mass meeting at 2 o’clock this afternoon at Armory hall. Her address was delivered with characteristic pep, was straight from the shoulder, and was received with cheers by the striking furniture workers.
[Mother Jones told the men:]
You are living in a new civilization, a civilization in which labor has its rights. This is the electric age. Man-made machines are now performing the work once assigned to slaves. The men are free. Dictatorship must be buried.
War Changes Everything.
No one thinks now as he did two years ago. The war has changed everything. We are no longer living a stereotyped life-we are out of the ruts.
Labor is no longer begging for its rights. It is demanding them, and it must and is getting them. You can’t prepare for a volcano-attempts to forestall the great labor movement are just as much doomed to failure.
Big Crowd at Armory.
The mass meeting brought to the armory an orderly crowd that jammed the great building. The program included speeches by K. W. Kelso, who represents the Chicago Carpenters’ union, and by John E. Peers, local union organizer. Fred Bromley, business agent of the Chicago Carpenters’ union, who was to have been one of the speakers, was unable to attend.
Mr. Peters announced today that over $2,000 had been contributed to the strikers by other Rockford unions and that considerable more financial assistance from still other local unions is anticipated. There has been no change in the general situation.
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From The Rockford Daily Register-Gazette of April 9, 1919:
“MOTHER” JONES IN VIGOROUS ADDRESS
—–HITS MANUFACTURERS AND TELLS STRIKERS
TO KEEP UP FIGHT UNTIL THEY WIN“Mother” Jones, figure in many a strike clash from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and still active in spite of her 89 years, awakened enthusiasm among 2,000 Rockford furniture workers at Armory hall Tuesday afternoon.
“Mother” Jones was the headliner of the biggest meeting the striking furniture workers have held to date and that she “delivered” is putting it mildly.
Wielding the same forceful blows that characterized her addresses in years past, when she was younger and more vigorous physically, she brought volumes of applause from the audience which tested the capacity of Armory hall.
Her advice to the assembled strikers was to “stick” and in concluding her address she said she would be glad to come back to Rockford to help in the no-surrender program if it was necessary.
She again referred to the commercial organization as the “chamber of crooks” and her remarks hitting the manufacturers’ organization went big with her hearers. A few paragraphs from her address follow:
I am a bolshevik and for government ownership.
The day for the dollar pirate has gone.
If they bring any scabs here I will take 20,000 men to Rockford and we will wipe them out.
We labor people are not pleading any longer-we are demanding. We are facing a new regime.
Don’t go back to work until you get an eight hour day. Don’t go back until you get more pay. I have to go away, but I am coming back, and if you have not enough leaders to continue this fight let me know and I will put them on the scrap pile.
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Note: Emphasis added throughout.
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SOURCES & IMAGES
Rockford Morning Star
(Rockford, Illinois)
-Apr 9, 1919, page 4
-Apr 5, 1919, page 7
https://www.genealogybank.com/
The Daily Republican
(Monongahela, Pennsylvania)
-Apr 2, 1919
https://www.newspapers.com/image/53079925
The Rockford Daily Register-Gazette
(Rockford, Illinois)
-Apr 8, 1919, page 2
-Apr 9, 1919, page 4
https://www.genealogybank.com/
The Rockford Republic
(Rockford, Illinois)
-Apr 8, 1919, Evening
Page 1: Photo
Page 2: Bolshevik
Page 9: Speech
https://www.genealogybank.com/
See also:
This was not Mother’s first visit to Rockford.
See, for example:
Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for July 1918, Part IV:
Found Speaking at Mooney Protest in Rockford, Illinois
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I Am A Union Woman – Deborah Holland
Lyrics by Aunt Molly Jackson