———-
Hellraisers Journal – Friday August 15, 1919
Mother Jones News for July 1919, Part I
-“We have got to march on with the great army of the world…”
From the Coffeyville (Kansas) Union Advocate of July 17, 1919:
A LETTER FROM MOTHER JONES
—–CHANGES TAKING PLACE
—–
OF INTEREST TO ALL
—–
Different Sentiment Prevails in Many
Communities Than Did Few Years Ago.
—–(From the International Oil Worker)
The following letter from Mother Jones to Brother Paul A. Numan, secretary of Taft Local No. 6, was read before the local June 17, and as it contains so much of interest to all organized workers, a request was made that it appear in this issue of the International Oil Worker. We are more than glad to give it space. The letter follows:
Charleston, W. Va.,
June 11, 1919Mr. Paul Numan,
P.O. Box 97
Taft, CaliforniaMy Dear Brother Numan:
I have not heard from you for a long time. I thought I would drop you a few lines today to let you know how we were moving in this country. The thirteenth of last month [May 30, 1919] I attended a great demonstration in Fairmont, W. Va. There were some 12,000 miners in a parade with their band-a number of them were soldiers returning from the front. They marched through the city of Fairmount, returned to Watson, and held their picnic with their families. It was the first time in history that such a thing took place. One year ago if you wanted to go into those mining camps a gunman would held you up and ask you what your business was. Today the gunmen are gone, the men are thoroughly organized and they live in a most wonderful progress. It must be now a method of education if we put through in order to let them know their power and how to use it.
I hope that things are going along smoothly with you in the oil fields. Three weeks ago I went to Zeigler, Ill [May 23, 1919]. A special train carried me in-the first in the history of that district. Eight years ago they went and turned two machine guns on me-today every man in that camp is organized, a miner is mayor of the city. He and his delegation met me at the depot and the conductor showed them his instructions to run the train in for me, so you see they are making progress, of which we have a right to be proud of. It is a hopeful sign if the workers only remain loyal to their organizations. The world and all its history never presented to the workers the opportunity they have got now, if they only keep their heads straight and erect. Freedom don’t go begging, nor she is not going to wait for us. We have got to march on with the great army of the world-the whole world is ablaze, and across the waters of a thousand shores comes the question: “What are you workers of America going to do?” I hope the reply will be that we are standing shoulder to shoulder with you. We have got some mighty good boys down there, and all they need is just encouragement.
Sincerely,
MOTHER JONES———-
[Photograph and emphasis added.]
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SOURCES
Quote Mother Jones, Charity Justice, Stt Str p1, Dec 27, 1918
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87093407/1918-12-27/ed-1/seq-1/
The Union Advocate
“An Official Organ of the Kansas
State Federation of Labor”
(Coffeyville, Kansas)
-July 17, 1919
https://www.newspapers.com/image/384844636
IMAGE
Mother Jones, Eve Ns Hburg PA p2, Jan 6, 1919
https://www.newspapers.com/image/57884211
See also:
For more on Mother Jones and Oil Workers of Taft, California:
Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday January 22, 1919
Mother Jones News for December 1918, Part III
-Mother Found in Taft, California, Organizing Oil Field Workers
From The Los Angeles Times of December 22, 1918:
“Mother” Mary Jones, aged eastern labor leader, who is investigating charges that Mooney’s conviction was brought about by malfeasance practiced by the District Attorney, expected to leave for Taft today to address a meeting of oil workers there tomorrow. She will go from there to Los Angeles and from Los Angeles to Washington, according to her programme.
For more on the International Oil Worker (Journal)
-official organ of the International Association of Oil Field, Gas Well, and Refinery Workers of America:
Typographical Journal, Volumes 54-55
-Jan-Dec 1919
International Typographical Union of North America, 1919
https://books.google.com/books?id=iTI_AQAAMAAJ
-Vol. 55 No. 3-Sept 1919
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=iTI_AQAAMAAJ&hl=en&pg=GBS.RA3-PA233
“The International Oil Worker”
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=iTI_AQAAMAAJ&hl=en&pg=GBS.RA2-PA253
THE INTERNATIONAL OIL WORKER.
The International Association of Oil Field, Gas Well and Refinery Workers of America was chartered by the American Federation of Labor a year ago. At its first convention, held in El Paso, Texas, permanent headquarters were established in Fort Worth. This young international has already established seventy-five local unions, some of them with a membership of more than 2,000, and indications point to the oil workers being one of the really big unions of the country.
When the headquarters were established, George W. Fisher, a member of Fort Worth Typographical Union, was selected by the executive council to have charge of their official publication, the International Oil Worker. Mr. Fisher is one of the best-known and most popular members of organized labor in the southwest. He has represented his union at the International Typographical Union convention, and, as vice-president of the Texas State Federation of Labor and secretary-treasurer of the Texas Allied Printing Trades Council, has done much for the advancement of organized labor in the southwest.
At the recent meeting of the state federation of labor it was announced on the floor of the convention that, but for the excellent work of Mr. Fisher, the amendment to the constitution granting free textbooks in the public schools would have been lost.
The International Oil Worker, under Mr. Fisher’s management, is one of the best trade journals in the country.
GEORGE WILLIAMS.
Fort Worth, Texas.[Emphasis added.]
Re Fairmont/Watson WV march of May 30, 1919:
Hellraisers Journal – Friday June 20, 1919
Mother Jones News for May 1919
-Found Speaking to Coal Miners in Watson, West Virginia
Re Mother Jones at Zeigler IL parade of May 23, 1919:
Hellraisers Journal – Friday July 18, 1919
Mother Jones News for June 1919
-Found Speaking at Memorial for Coal Miners of Herrin, Illinois
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I Am a Union Woman – Deborah Halland
Lyrics by Aunt Molly Jackson
https://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/unionwomanmollyjackson.html