Hellraisers Journal – Thursday April 20, 1911 News from California – “Solidarity Wins in Fresno” by Press Committee
From the International Socialist Review of April 1911:
BECAUSE we tried to organize the workers in Fresno, the authorities denied us the streets for agitation meetings. After persecuting our members for their activity; after throwing them into jail and subjecting them to the greatest brutality and passing a city ordinance denying the rights of free speech, the authorities have turned around and granted us all these things for which we have been fighting. Hereafter we shall be permitted to speak on the streets unmolested and unrestricted.
Spokane Industrial Worker of March 9, 1911
How was this victory accomplished? The answer is simple. Two hundred workingmen, roused by acts of violence against the organization of which they were members, moved on to Fresno from various points on the Pacific Coast to fight the Capitalist enemies. They realized that if our organizers were not to be permitted to speak and agitate, they would be seriously hampered in the work of organization for the great approaching conflict. From first to last both sides of the struggle clearly recognized Class Lines and freely admitted them. One of the most intelligent members of the opposition stated in an early stage of the struggle that this was a skirmish in a great war.
Antiquated methods were generally abandoned. It was decided that no money should be wasted on lawyers to expound the meaning of the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States. However, the court was used effectively for propaganda. Trial after trial was held and each time our position was presented to a crowded court room, by some member of the group on trial. Incidentally about 500 residents of Fresno, chiefly business men, were summoned to serve on juries. Not one of these was so disloyal to his class as to “hang a jury.” Workingmen were promptly challenged by the prosecuting attorney. They might not have been so pliable.
The antagonism with the local press with its malicious misrepresentation, perfectly reflected the attitude of the employing class in Fresno. But our appeals for aid, made only to the working class, found a ready response. Perfect discipline was maintained inside the jail. Things were kept in a sanitary condition. Educational work was carried on systematically. The fight was directed throughout by the men in jail. The outside work was executed by an outside committee, also directed by the imprisoned men. Funds contributed were spent economically and to the best advantage.
Hellraisers Journal – Saturday March 18, 1911 Fresno, California – Gag Law Against I. W. W. Laid to Rest
From the Spokane Industrial Worker of March 16, 1911:
THE CLOSING SOUNDS OF THE FRESNO FIGHT
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HOW THE FIGHT WAS WON-
FRESNO FIGHT IS NOW HISTORY. SOLIDARITY WINS IN FRESNO. —–
Fresno, Cal., March 5, 1911.
After denying the I. W. W. the streets for agitation meetings (because of our attempt to organize the workers of Fresno), after persecuting our members for their activity; after throwing them into jail and subjecting them to the greatest brutality; after passing a city ordinance denying the right of free speech, the authorities of Fresno now allow us to speak on the streets unmolested and unrestricted.
How was this accomplished? Less than 200 working men, roused by the acts of violence against the fighting organization to which they belonged, moved, from various parts on the pacific coast, on the Fresno representatives of their enemies (the capitalist class). They recognized that a defeat at this point would retard the important work of organizing the workers for the near approaching great conflict. From first to last, the fight here was carried on upon the strictest class lines, both sides recognizing and freely admitting fact…..
On February 22, 1911, the leading citizens of Fresno assembled to seriously consider the situation. After full discussion of ways and means of ending the struggle a committee of five was appointed with power to investigate the whole situation, ascertain our terms of settlement and report back to them.
Hellraisers Journal – Sunday March 12, 1911 Fresno, California – I. W. W. Wins Complete Victory in Free Speech Fight
From the Spokane Industrial Worker of March 9, 1911:
JUST BEFORE THE VICTORY ———-
SHERIFF REFUSES MORE PRISONERS. THE RESPECTABLE CITIZENS TALK OF LYNCHING I. W. MEMBERS. ———-
Fresno, Feb. 27, 1911.
The sheriff refuses to accept any more prisoners charged with violating a city ordinance, on the ground that the jail is overcrowded.
To prevent us from speaking on the streets, the police do not arrest us, but resort to clubbing and turning us over to the pinks, pimps and toughs.
Two men were beat up by the hoodlums today for speaking on the street. One of them was dragged half a block. The police pay no attention to the protests of the onlooking citizens against these fiendish practices.
One man openly informed us that we were going to be lynched tonight. The chief of police, who was standing near, studied the effect this remark had on us. He was rewarded with a “horse laugh.”
The people are inclining more and more in our favor. A large number of our papers were sold. On the 25th of this month the Citizens’ League sent a committee to the bull pen to ascertain our terms, which we stated to them. The committee pronounced these terms just a wise and promised to present them before the next meeting of the citizens. We haven’t heard from them since. If the present tactics are aimed to frighten us off the streets, then a mistake has again been made. This fight for free speech in Fresno will continue until we have free speech and are protected in the exercise thereof.
Hellraisers Journal – Monday March 6, 1911 I. W. W. Army Hikes Over Siskiyou Pass on Way to Fresno
From the Spokane Industrial Worker of March 2, 1911:
Hornbrook, Cal., February 19.
Fellow Worker [Thomas] Whitehead:
I guess by this time that our “doings” have been given publication to some extent in the capitalist press. We were 150 strong when we left Portland. Now the capitalist papers say that we held up a train, WHICH IS A D–N LIE. All we did was to get into an empty box-car, just as any ordinary stiff, but it was so well managed that no railroad bull or police knew we were in the yards at Portland, until we were well away.
We were met by the police at Albany, Ore., whom we talked to. Told them where we were going, and what we were going to do. One big fellow, mayor, or something, sent the first news to the press of the armed-mob, etc., WHICH WAS ALSO A LIE, as we are all searched every day by our own police. When we got to Junction City (put it on the map) we were met by a mob of respectable citizens, who were armed with guns, pitchforks, cleavers, etc. They boarded the train, and told us not to get off the train, and with the guns pointed in our faces, we just laughed at them. Told them what we were and what we were going to do, using the top of a box-car for a soap box, which made them look very small indeed.
Hellraisers Journal – Friday February 24, 1911 Fresno, California – Latest News from the Free Speech Fight
From the Spokane Industrial Worker of February 23, 1911:
THE LATEST FROM FRESNO. ———- City Would Like to Holler “Enough” -More Men Are Needed to Board With the County. ———-
Fresno Morning Republican February 2, 1911
The fight for Free Speech is still going on in Fresno. The men are all “stickers” and are determined to stick until they win. We have held two street meetings, Sunday, February 5 and 12. We had large crowds at both meetings, and the public sentiment is changing in our favor.
The city officials would like to quit, but they hate to lay down under fire. The city has enough, but hates to holler “quit.” Now that the fight has lasted as long as it has, they will never want to tackle the I. W. W. again. It is now up to the members to get to Fresno in strong enough numbers to FORCE the officials to “lay down.”
This has been a clean fight on our side and has been carried on by “Direct Action.” We want no compromise. Nothing but the unconditional surrender on the part of the city, and the release of all prisoners will go with us. I think after this fight is over we will have no more Free Speech fights for awhile. The officials of other cities will think twice before they tackle us.
I have been out of jail since February 1, when I was acquitted by a jury of farmers in four minutes on a charge of vagrancy. I have done some outside work since my release. Some of the boys will have jury trials on Friday. I will plead their cases, then speak on the streets and go to jail. Am getting homesick for my beans and raisins. Can’t stay out much longer. Wake up, boys. Come to Fresno and help whip the BOSS as he should be whipped. Meet us in the Fresno jail.
Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday February 14, 1911 Fresno, California – 94 Free Speech Fighters in Bullpen, 47×28 Feet
From the Appeal to Reason of February 11, 1911:
Court Crookedness in Fresno ———–
Some time ago the APPEAL printed a story about the fight on free speech at Fresno, signed by Mrs. W. F. [Emma] Little, a comrade of that city. The story resulted in Mrs. H. H. Roberts, of Connecticut, getting trace of a relative who had engaged in the fight and who was in jail at Fresno. F. W. Boyle, of Humboldt, Kan., and A. F. Boyle, of Dunneweg, Mo., also discovered that their cousin, Frank Little, was one of the prisoners of the free speech fight. The result has been a protest from various sections of the United States. It would be well for all acquainted with these parties and others to write to the chief of police and the police judge and the mayor of Fresno protesting against the imprisonment of these people. Following are some further facts furnished the Appeal relative to the fight by Comrade Mrs. Little:
Before the I. W. W. was organized at all the chief of police told my husband, “You mustn’t organize the common workers, for we have a raisin crop here that must be handled cheap. A painter belonging to the painters’ union here gets $4 a day and works eight hours. A man digging a ditch or picking raisins gets $1.50 to $2 a day and work ten hours. Both are out of work a good deal of the time.
In spite of the chief of police and his cheap raisin crop, my husband did his best to organize the common workers in the I. W. W., and shortly after a small local was formed. For some reason the chief of police got the idea into his head that the workers wouldn’t join the I. W. W. anyway, so he graciously allowed us to speak on the street. The chief was mistaken, and our local grew from fifteen to over a hundred in a couple of weeks. Then the chief took our permit to speak on the streets away from us. He informed my husband that he knew where his bread and butter came from.
Hellraisers Journal – Friday February 10, 1911 New York City – Longshoreman’s Local Protests Torture of Fresno I. W. W.
From the Spokane Industrial Worker of February 9, 1911:
FIRE ENGINES NOT FOR TORTURE
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NEW YORK LONGSHOREMEN PROTEST AGAINST BRUTALITY OF POLICE AND OTHER LEGALIZED THUGS IN FRESNO-FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT KEPT FOR EXECUTIONERS.
To the “Industrial Worker.”
We, the members of Local No. 791, International Longshoremen’s Association of New York, hereby enter our protest against the inhuman, un-American and non-constitutional treatment meted out to the members of the I. W. W. by the city government of Fresno, California.
We protest against the curtailment of free speech to one body of men, when the constitutional right is accorded to others freely, especially when the members of the I. W. W. desire simply to discuss industrial matters or make known their views on industrial conditions.
We protest against the methods used to suppress such meetings and discussions and insist that the right of free assemblage be granted to all lawful meetings, whether of an industrial social or religious character.
Hellraisers Journal – Saturday January 21, 1911 Fresno, California – 90 Fellow Workers Now Lodged in Unsanitary Jail
From the Spokane Industrial Worker of January 19, 1911:
FRESNO WEAKENING, WE MUST WIN ———-
HELP IS NEEDED IN FRESNO-FIGHT TO WIN
-ON TO FRESNO-SEND MEN AND MONEY. ———-
With 90 I. W. W. men in jail worrying the pin-headed city officials, the county officials are now refusing to pay any part of the expense of the fight.
“Der Chief” is bravely pushing his vagrancy charges and the noble “business juries” find all “GUILTY,” regardless of fact or condition. Any I. W. W. man is a ‘vag,” but that will last but a short time, as the tax payers are getting tired.
The last circular was widely read and is having quite an effect, for every word is known to be a fact.
A new sheriff and a new jail crew took charge on the second inst., and from all news to be had the boys are getting as good treatment as it is possible for men to get in jail.
The “FLOWER” of the I. W. W. is in jail here and you must not let them lose the fight; so do your best.
But few men are coming at present , and many of them are being deterred from going to jail by a few slimy “knockers,” who will not do anything themselves and seem to wish to keep others from doing anything.
Some of the locals are doing well with financial assistance, but so far the greater part goes for postage and for tobacco for the boys in jail. Fellow workers, boost hard and help all you can.
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