Hellraisers Journal – Sunday September 28, 1902 “The Anthracite Coal Strike” by Comrade William Mailly, Part II
From the International Socialist Review of August 1902:
The Anthracite Coal Strike.
[-by William Mailly] ———-
[Part II of II]
Socialist Spirit, July 1902 Comrade Mailly, now in field of great anthracite coal strike.
This somewhat lengthy and yet incomplete explanation of the strike situation has been necessary in order that outsiders can understand why the Socialist agitators received such a warm welcome in the strike region. We came with a new message to the strikers and they heard us gladly. Thrown into the position of fighting simply to save the union that had protected them for two years, harassed and antagonized by the business men whom they had formerly believed their friends, deserted and deceived by the politicians who had always proclaimed themselves their champions, misrepresented and discouraged by the papers they had always supported, they were ready to listen to those who came and spoke the truth. In my experience I have never seen men who listened so eagerly and with such unfeigned enthusiasm to the Socialist presentation of the situation as did these strikers.
But the way had been prepared for us. “Mother” Jones had not been through the region for nothing. Everywhere she had left a trail of Socialist books and papers behind her. Few of the officials but had subscribed for a paper, and many of the miners received one she had subscribed for for them. And “Mother” Jones’ name is a talisman that opens the hearts of the anthracite miners to any Socialist that comes to educate and not abuse.
Then National Secretary Greenbaum’s “strike bulletins,” following upon his messages of friendship to the miners’ conventions, had also familiarized the name of the Socialist Party. These bulletins were much appreciated and made a good impression.
It did not take long, therefore, for the Socialist agitators to secure a hearing. Nothing could more emphasize the different effect produced by the Socialist Labor Party [SLP] tactics and those of the Socialist Party [of America, SPA] than the treatment accorded our representatives. Wherever I went in the region I heard stories of how the S. L. P. agitators had made themselves obnoxious by their attacks upon the union and their efforts to disorganize the men. It sometimes became necessary to explain the difference in the parties to enquirers who classed all Socialists as “union wreckers.”
I think the members of the Socialist Party are justified in believing that the presence of their representatives in the field was beneficial to the strike and the miners’ union. We preached the necessity of Solidarity and explained the industrial situation so that the miners could not help but become imbued with an increased faith in themselves. They were not slow to acknowledge this, and to show their approval of what we said. It became a very easy matter to get up a meeting for a Socialist speaker and, in some cases, men were known to walk several miles to hear us. The Socialists presented the case with a force and clearness that went home and made, I am sure, a lasting impression, especially as the situation provided all the necessary features for Socialist arguments of unlimited length.
There was no antagonism to the Socialists exhibited by any of the officials. On the contrary, there was an evident desire to allow us to be heard, and local officials gave us much assistance. Personally I received a letter from President Mitchell introducing me to the locals, which, as representative of the “Worker,” was of great help to me. I did not have to use the letter to get up meetings. Just as soon as it was learned I was a Socialist and “all right,” meetings were arranged for me. There was no danger of not having anything to do.
Wherever Vail, Spargo, Geiger and Collins had spoken, the same encomiums of their work were heard. We had a clear field, for none of the capitalist party politicians were in sight, and the miners were in the mood for the truth. Collins couldn’t begin to organize locals fast enough, and he’ll probably never do harder or better work again. Fortunately, we had comrades at Carbondale and Wilkesbarre, who took advantage of every opportunity presented.
Two things are to be regretted. First, that more agitators could not be kept in the field, and second, that more literature and better facilities for handling it could not be provided. I was never more impressed with the necessity of a well-formed, efficiently conducted Socialist organization. The national and State officials of the party did their utmost, but their hands were tied for lack of funds. I am of the opinion that half a dozen good Socialist agitators, speaking different languages, following each other through the region, would do more toward winning the strike than all the money the Socialist Party can give to a strike relief fund. The demand for literature cannot begin to be filled. The miners are reading and discussing what they read as never before. Such an opportunity to reach a large number of workingmen so receptive and hungry for knowledge will seldom be presented again. As it is, we can feel that not only have we done our utmost to propagate Socialism, but we have also inculcated into the hearts and minds of thousands of workingmen the true spirit of the class struggle and some conception of the prevailing industrial phenomena.
A final word about the strike itself. That the conditions around the mines justify organization goes without saying. Nevertheless, I believe these conditions might have been endured a while longer if tyranny had not been exercised to such an extent. To be continually insulted and reviled when seeking redress, to be cursed by the boss and subjected to his open contempt, to be ignored by the employer when seeking recognition—this was more than the miners could stand forever. The union has offered them the only medium of expression for their grievances, the only form of protection from the domineering of under bosses and the larger tyranny of the operators they have ever had. The strike is the harvest of years of arbitrary and selfish corporate misrule.
Whatever the outcome may be, the fact that the fight is one to preserve the right to organize should be of encouragement to all Socialists. There is one thing also of which I am morally certain: that, even if the strike be lost, the union will not wholly be destroyed. It has the elements of permanency in it, for men like those to be found in the anthracite region are not conquered by one defeat. The union is there to stay, no matter how this strike may result or who the officers may be. The seed of Solidarity is too deeply planted to be uprooted and destroyed so easily as the mine owners wish. And if the Socialists have only succeeded in planting that seed a little deeper, this alone should recompense us for any money or energy expended during the strike.
Hellraisers Journal – Saturday August 16, 1902
Mother Jones News Round-Up for July 1902, Part I U. M. W. of A. Organizers Surrounded by Injunctions in West Virginia
From the Wilkes-Barre Semi-Weekly Record of July 1, 1902:
[Yet Another Injunction.]
Indianapolis, Ind., June 29.-“If the courts continue issuing injunctions against us there will be but one proposition open. Some one will have to furnish the 400,000 mine workers of this country with balloons in which they can hold meetingsprivately or publicly and not disobey the mandates of the courts,” said W. B. Wilson, secretary and treasurer of the mine workers’ organization, yesterday when informed that Federal Judge Keller, at Fairmont, had enjoined him, Chris Evans, “Mother” Jones and others connected with the organization from interfering with miners.
No papers have been served on Wilson. He said he had not been in Judge Keller’s district, but If his business calls him there he will go. He declared that if he has been enjoined from holding a private conference on business that concerns the organization he will disobey the injunction.
[Photographs added.]
From The Clarksburg Telegram of July 4, 1902:
“MOTHER” JONES MUST BE GOOD ———- Judge Jackson Continues the Case and Cautions Her. —–
“Mother” Jones trial at Parkersburg has been continued to July 11.
When United States Court convened Friday the attorneys for “Mother” Jones and the other strike leaders announced that they would introduce no more evidence and they were ready to rest their case. The prosecution had nothing further to introduce and when it was ascertained that the attorneys wished to argue the case the court announced that it would continue it untill July 11, when the lawyers would be given an opportunity to be heard. The defendants were released under bond. In releasing them the court said:
I have been sitting here for three or four days investigating whether you have violated this injunction or not. That question I shall determine when the case comes up for final disposition on the 11th day of July, as soon as the argument is over and I can reach a conclusion; but I want to say to you that you have a duty, under the recognizance that you have taken here, to perform; that the duty is to abstain-I mean abstain from trying to induce anybody who is employed in these mines from leaving work or from disseminating your own peculiar doctrines that you bring from the other states into this state to disturb the peace and harmony of those who are engaged in the lawful pursuits of mining in this state.
You are citizens, that is true, of the United States, but while you are citizens of the United States you owe obligations to any state you are in, just as much as you do to the state in which you have a permanent residence. The constitution of the United States don’t guarantee rights to the citizens to go into the domain of another state and excite the people to violence or to commit unlawful acts. There is no such provision in the constitution; and, as liberal as the constitution is as to personal rights, the constitution does not protect the person in illegal or unlawful acts in any state in the Union or in a state, particularly, where the parties do not reside.
And I shall expect you upon this occasion, each and every one of you, to observe literally (both in spirit and letter) this injunction; if you wish this court in dealing with you to consider your acts and to weigh your acts with reference to what has heretofore transpired in reference to the order of the court, it will be well for you to consider these things and to act accordingly.
The remarks of Judge Jackson were a warning to the defendants not to interfere with the miners or incite them to strike, as a further violation will result in their rearrest and it will make it harder for them in the present cases.
Hellraisers Journal – Friday July 11, 1902 Mother Jones News Round-Up for June 1902, Part III On Trial before Judge John J. Jackson at Parkersburg, West Virginia
From the Baltimore Sun of June 24, 1902:
PARKERSBURG, W. Va., June 23.-A special car containing 25 witnesses arrived tonight from Clarksburg. They are here to appear against “Mother” Jones and the other persons charged with violating a Federal injunction by holding a meeting for the purpose of influencing miners to quit work. Their defense will be that the meeting was on private property rented by them for that purpose.
[Photograph added.]
From the Baltimore Sun of June 25, 1902:
“MOTHER” JONES ON TRIAL ———- Thirty Witnesses, And The Case May Last A Week.
PARKERSBURG, W. Va., June 24.-The trial of “Mother” Jones and 11 other agitators who are accused of violating an injunction of the Federal Court in regard to interfering with working miners was begun today.
A witness testified that the woman used “insolent language” in a public speech. He said she advised miners to pay no attention to injunctions or to courts.
There are about 30 witnesses and the trial will probably last all the week.
From The Dayton Evening Herald of June 26, 1902:
WERE ACTING WITHIN THEIR RIGHTS ———- Favorable Testimony Given For Mother Jones and Strike Leaders, Arrested For Contempt. ———-
Parkersburg, W. Va., June 26.-The defense had witnesses on the stand in the “Mother” Jones and other strike leaders contempt cases this morning. They testified to the quiet and orderly behavior of the leaders in all the meetings, and said they counselled obedience to laws and proper conduct. “Mother” Jones especially counselled the “boys,” as she calls them, not to drink during the strike troubles. It was shown that the meeting which caused their arrest was on private property rented for the purpose, and that there had been no assemblage in violation of the injunction on public or company property. It is probable that the case will be concluded today.
From The Dayton Evening Herald of June 27, 1902:
“MOTHER” JONES CASE CONTINUED. ———-
Parkersburg, W. Va., June 27.-In the contempt case against “Mother” Jones and others, the defense announced this morning that they had no more testimony to offer. The court set the arguments for July 11, and the case was continued until that date. “Mother” Jones and the other defendants are out on bail.
From the Baltimore Sun of June 28, 1902:
“MOTHER” JONES RELEASED ———- Judge Jackson Gives Her A Lecture About Inciting Strikes.
(Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun.)
PARKERSBURG, W. Va., June 27.-“Mother” Jones and the other strike leaders who were on trial for alleged violation of an injunction by the United States Court were released today until July 11, when their case will come up again.
Upon being released they were given a lecture by Judge Jackson, who warned them against interfering in any way with the miners at work. He told them they had no constitutional right to come here from another State and interfere with workers. The Judge promised severe punishment if they attempt to incite a strike again.
Hellraisers Journal – Friday July 12, 1901 Mother Jones News Round-Up for June 1901, Part IV Found Speaking at Memorial for Martyrs of St. Louis Streetcar Strike
From The Indianapolis Journal of June 14, 1901:
“Mother” Jones in the City.
“Mother” Jones, known the United States over by organised labor, and particularly by members of the United Mine Workers of America, with whom she has been personally identified in many strike, made an unexpected visit to the Mine Workers’ headquarters yesterday. She is on her way to St. Louis to deliver an address, and then will visit the Illinois miners. “Mother” Jones is a regularly employed organizer of the miners’ organization now, and is said to be one of its most successful workers, especially in time of strikes.
[Drawing of Mother Jones added.]
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch of June 17, 1901:
MOTHER JONES SPOKE ———-
HER ADDRESS WAS FEATURE OF LABOR MEMORIAL SERVICES. ———- LEON GREENBAUM PRESIDED ———- Exercises Were Held in Memory of Men Killed in Street Car Strike Riot.
At the Odeon Sunday afternoon, services in memory of the three men killed, June 10, 1900, during the parade of former street car employes on Washington avenue, were held under the auspices of the Central Trades and Labor Union.
The hall was well filled, the widows of George Rine [Ryne] and Arthur E. Burkhart [Ed Burkhardt], two of the men killed, being among those present. Each was accompanied by two little children.
The principal address was made by “Mother” Mary Jones of Chicago. All of the speeches had special reference to the street car strike, its causes and the conditions which preceded it, with a general bearing upon the rights of organized labor.
Leon Greenbaum presided and the services were in charge of the memorial committee of the Central labor body, consisting of J. H. Rakel, chairman; David Kreyling, secretary; R. M. Parker, treasurer; A. Hamberg and Leon Greenbaum. Music was furnished by the United Singing Societies.
In opening the meeting, Mr. Greenbaum, who was the Socialist candidate for mayor last spring, reviewed the events which led up to the strike of 1900. He described the scene on Washington avenue, when Thomas Rine and Burkhart fell before the riot guns of the posse.
William M. Brandt, business agent of the Cigar Makers’ Union, who helped organize the street car men in preparation for the strike, told of the conditions as he found them at the time the work was undertaken.
“Mother” Jones, the organizer of the Mine Workers’ Union, was next introduced and made an address of two hours’ duration. She was received with cheers from the audience, which proclaimed her the “friend of the laboring man,” and was frequently interrupted by applause. Her remarks were directed chiefly against corporations and the trusts.
She said she was engaged in helping the miners of Maryland win a strike while the St. Louis trouble was in progress, and, hence, was unable to be here, but her heart went out in sympathy to those who were struggling for their rights.
She advocated a revolution, if Congress and the state legislatures did not soon “give the people their rights.”
“Mother” Jones said she had been charged with inciting trouble, and believed that, in rousing the people, lay the only safety for this country.
“The most dangerous thing on earth,” she declared, “is a contented slave.”
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