Tag: Mother Mary Harris Jones

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for May 1901, Part I: Found Standing with Silk Mill Strikers and Servant Girls of Pennsylvania

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Child Labor Silk Mills, WB Dly Ns p1, May 11, 1901—————-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday June 11, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for May 1901, Part I
Found Standing with Silk Mill Strikers of Pennsylvania

From The Scranton Republican of May 2, 1901:

SILK MILL STRIKERS
———-
Girls at the Klotz Works
Back at Their Frames
-Mill at Taylor Still Idle.
———-

MOTHER JONES’ BIRTHDAY 
———-

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

Today all is serene at the silk mills of Scranton. Klotz mill, the first to go on strike, resumed operations yesterday. The reason they did not start Tuesday was because the proprietor persisted in retaining Emily Mailet, a forewoman who was unsatisfactory to the strikers. A committee from the Klotz local waited on Mr. Klotz Wednesday afternoon with the result that he agreed to recognize the union, allowed them the 8 and 12 per cent. advance, and grunted the usual half holiday for five months of the warm weather. Besides this, he said that if the action of the forewoman in question should result in any further trouble he would investigate the matter thoroughly, and discharge her if the case so demanded.

[…..]

It is an interesting fact that yesterday marked a complete resumption of work among the Scranton silk mills, and it was also the birthday of “Mother” Jones, to whose vigorous efforts among the strikers this resumption is largely due. Yesterday marked the 58th milestone in her journey of life, and she said that before two years more shall have passed and she will have reached her 60th year, she expects to fight many another battle in the cause of labor. It is remarkable that a woman of her age, who has gone through so many excitable experiences, should be hail and hearty at the dawn of her 59th year and possess the vigorous mind that “Mother” Jones does.

Last evening she opened the entertainment of Harvey’s local in the “New hall” on Pittston avenue, and received hearty applause from the audience.

———-

[Photograph added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Comes to West Virginia, Will Organize Miners of Clarksburg and Fairmont Districts

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote John Mitchell, re Mother Jones, UMWC PM Session, Jan 25, 1901—————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday May 30, 1901
Mother Jones Arrives in West Virginia to Organize Coal Miners

From the Bluefield Daily Telegraph of May 29, 1901:

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901Mother Jones to Organize Miners

Wheeling, May 28-Mother Jones, who has been sent here by the United Mine Workers to try to organize the miners in the Clarksburg and Fairmont districts, held a big meeting at the opera house tonight. All previous efforts to organize the miners have failed.

———-

[Drawing and emphasis added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for April 1921: Found in Washington DC with Gompers, Protesting West Virginia’s Jury Bill

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
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Quote Mother Jones, Doomed, Wmsn WV, June 20, 1920, Speeches Steel, p213—————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday May 25, 1921
Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1921
-Found in Washington, D. C., Protesting West Virginia’s Jury Bill

From the Washington Evening Star of April 1, 1921:

PROTEST WEST VIRGINIA JURY LEGISLATION
———-
Samuel Gompers and ”Mother” Jones Speak
at Central Labor Meeting.

Mother Jones IN Dly Tx p1 crpd, July 15, 1920

President Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor and “Mother” Jones of the United Mine Workers led the local protest against enactment of the proposed jury legislation for West Virginia at a special mass meeting of Central Labor Union, in Musicians’ Hall, last night.

President Gompers denounced the proposed law as an abrogation of the right guaranteed to a defendant under the Constitution of the United States providing trial by jury and change of venue. He said that a premeditated conspiracy for the destruction of trades unionism was at the basis of the move for the law which will allow a judge to select a jury from any county in the state no matter in which county the trial was being held. He charged that the judiciary, consciously or unconsciously, were aiding in the fight against organized labor.

Mother Jones was vehement in her expressions against the proposed legislation. She flayed local labor for its seemingly supine attitude.

[She said:]

You haven’t any fire in you at all, sitting here with your comfortable air, while tyranny is being wrought in West Virginia, where babes of murdered fathers are starving for their very bread.

At the conclusion of the meeting a resolution was adopted unanimously denouncing the proposed legislation.

The resolution declared that “the legislature of West Virginia has passed a bill which would place the power in the hands of a trial judge in that state to select a jury from counties outside of that in which the trial is being held,” and that if enacted the proposal would mean “the abrogation of the intent of the jury system.”

———-

[Photograph added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Appeal to Reason: Mother Jones, Miners’ Angel, Found in Heaven Wearing the Biggest Crown of All

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Union Card n Pious Christian, Shenandoah Eve Hld p1, Aug 27, 1910—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday May 20, 1911
Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1911
Dreamer Finds Mother Jones in Heaven Wearing Biggest Crown of All

From the Appeal to Reason of April 1, 1911
-page 3, Kansas & Oklahoma edition:

OKLAHOMA NOTES
—–

[…..]

Comrade Lee, of Oklahoma City, sends in a list of subs. He says that he had a dream not long ago and found himself, much to his surprise, in heaven. The first person he saw was Mother Jones, who was wearing the biggest crown in the bunch.

Mother Jones, Miners’ Angel

Mother Jones by Bertha Howell (Mrs Mailly), ab 1902

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for April 1901, Part IV: Scranton Silk Strike Called Off; Smallest of Mill Girls Parade in City

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, St L Lbr, Apr 13, 1901—————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday May 12, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1901, Part IV
Scranton Silk Strike Called Off; Smallest Girls Celebrate with Parade 

From the Scranton Tribune of April 29, 1901:

PA Silk Strike Called Off, Scranton Tb p5, Apr 29, 1901

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901At a general  meeting of the employes of the silk mills of this city, held yesterday afternoon in St. Thomas College hall, the strike which has been on during the last three months was formally declared off and the announcement made that work will be resumed Tuesday morning.

This afternoon the younger girls will celebrate the end of the strike by holding a parade, and tonight a mass meeting will be conducted in College hall, at which Editor William Mailly, of the New York Worker; National Committeeman Frederick Dilcher, of the United Mine Workers of America, and “Mother” Mary Jones will make addresses…..

AN OPEN SESSION.

[Yesterday’s meeting] was open, and of very short duration. The announcement was briefly made that the strike was over, and all hands were ordered back to work Tuesday morning. “Mother” Jones then made a short address, in which she briefly mentioned the successful culmination of the long struggle, and then urged all of the younger girls to participate in today’s parade…

“Mother” Jones spent Saturday in Paterson. Trouble seems brewing there, and a general strike is threatened on account of difficulties with the ribbon workers.

—————

[Drawing added.]

THE YOUNG UNIONISTS.
———-
Bootblacks and Newsboys’ Union
Yesterday Were Dined at College Hall
-Several Speeches Made.
———-

A unique, but pleasing, spectacle was presented yesterday afternoon, when between three and four hundred boys representing the youngest and newest union in this city filed into St. Thomas’ College hall and there listened to a number of addresses, ate and were merry.

It was the initial appearance of the Bootblacks’ and Newsboys’ union in the city streets and everywhere the youngsters were greeted with friendly and good natured smiles…

“Mother” Jones gave a hearty, cheerful address to the boys, in which she spoke of the necessity of organization and assured the lads of the benefits which would arise to them from their union. Reading rooms will be established for them, those of their number who are musically inclined formed into a band, instructors provided and other advantages secured.

William Mailly, editor of the New York Worker, also addressed the boys. He spoke along the same lines as “Mother” Jones, and, among other things, told of the recent strike of the New York newsboys…..

———-

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for April 1901, Part III: On Child Labor, Christian Sunday School Teachers and Civilization

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Child Labor Sleep on factory floor, Ab Chp 14 p120—————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday May 11, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1901, Part III
The Sunday School Teacher and the Little Wage Slaves

From the Illinois State Register of April 23, 1901:

Christian Zeal Off the Track.

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

Chicago American: When human beings make idiots of themselves the most extraordinary things are sometimes done by those who think they are doing good.

“Mother Jones,” who interests herself in working people and their condition, declares that she attended Sunday school at Birmingham, Ala., and heard a teacher address the following remarks to a class of little millhands ten or twelve years old:

“God put it in the heart of Mr. B— to build a factory so that you little children can have work and earn money, so that you can put a nickel in the box for the poor little heathen Chinese children.”

That kind of thing is apt to make the devil suffer from the effects of too violent laughter.

“Mr. B—” spoken of by the foolish Sunday school teacher is, of course, one of the most dangerous elements in civilization. He exploits child life in his money-making process. In the midst of a poor community he establishes a factory, knowing that want will induce parents, when the opportunity offers, to force their little children to work long hours in crowded rooms.

“Mr. B—” gets his money by killing just so many children a year and stunting the growth of all of them.

It would be far better for the world if, instead of building a factory and employing a thousand children, he would erect a gallows and hang five hundred. That would a least give the remaining five hundred children some kind of chance for normal development.

As long as there are persons like “Mr. B—” to build factories in which children shall be worked to death, and foolish, ignorant teachers to talk like the one quoted here, this world cannot call itself civilized.

———-

[Drawing added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for April 1901, Part II: Scranton Silk Strikers: “Little Tots ranging from 8 to 14 years of age.”

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, St L Lbr, Apr 13, 1901—————

Hellraisers Journal – Friday May 10, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1901, Part II
Scranton Silk Strikers-Little Tots Worked by Master Class

From St. Louis Labor of April 13, 1901:

The Strike in Scranton

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

Mother Jones makes the following statement concerning the strike of the 5,000 silk mill hands in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Most of them are little tots ranging from 8 to 14 years of age. The poverty of the parents compels them to swear that these babies are of the age when they can be legally worked by the master class. In one mill I found children who toiled twenty-four long, weary days of ten hours each; and at the end of that time received  $2 apiece. The vampire who runs the plant felt deeply aggrieved because his little slaves went on strike. He complained that he had built and paid for a new mill and cleared $10,000 in two years, and just as he was getting his head above water, the ungrateful little wretches run away! And then some people say there is no hell! And others that there is no wage slavery! Why, I have got a trunk full of evidence showing that miners were plucked of all their earnings, and didn’t have a dollar from one end of the year to the other. This is capitalism with a vengeance, the robber system that is upheld by those who vote Republican and Democratic tickets.

Boss Davis, the ringleader of the plute cannibals, has offered this compromise: If the strikers allow him to measure their work and take his word for it, he will pay them 25 cents a week more. If they won’t allow him to measure, they must go back at the old rate. It’s a scheme with robbery on its face , and little ones won’t yield.

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for April 1901, Part I: Found Threatening Mill Owners with Arrest for Crime of Child Labor

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Stt Dly Tx p3or5, Feb 23, 1901———-

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday May 9, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for April 1901, Part I
Found Threatening Silk Mill Owners of Scranton with Arrest

From the Wilkes-Barre Daily News of April 1, 1901:

SILK OPERATORS TO BE ARRESTED
———-
“Mother” Jones Gives Out
Important Statement
———-

STRIKE NOT SETTLED
———-
Strikers Bluntly Refuse Ten Per Cent.
Increase Offered.
———-

HELD CONFERENCE YESTERDAY WITH SECRET BALLOT
-“MOTHER” JONES OFF FOR CLEVELAND
TO STUMP THE STATE.

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

SCRANTON, Pa., March 30-“I leave for Cleveland. Ohio, at once to seek financial aid for silk strikers.” was the statement given me to-night by “Mother” Jones, the noted labor leader.

I will stump the State and when I return I expect to arrest every mill owner who has in open defiance of the State law, employed children under 14 years of age in their factories. Warrants will be issued for parents also.

The strike has not yet ended. At the conference to-day of the leadership the silk workers it was decided by almost an unanimous vote to reject the offer of the operators of a 10 per cent, advance and the bitter struggle which last night seemed to be nearing a satisfactory settlement has been renewed under a new coupe which will carry the greatest battle of feminine labor into the courts…..

[Drawing added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones and the Victory of the Striking Silk Mill Girls of Scranton, Pennsylvania, by William Mailly

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Stt Dly Tx p3or5, Feb 23, 1901—————

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday May 7, 1901
Scranton, Pennsylvania – Silk Mill Strikers Secure Victory

From the New York Worker of May 5, 1901:

Mother Jones, Victory Scranton Silk Strike, NY Worker p1, May 5, 1901

Mother Jones, Drawing, SDH p4, Mar 9, 1901

After a strike extending over three months the 5,000 silk workers of Scranton have secured a favorable settlement of their grievances, winning a complete victory, and returning to work under better conditions than they have ever experienced before. This has come about after a most stubborn fight, and only the solidarity of the strikers, under the leadership of Mother Jones gained the victory.

The strike began on January 23, when the girls at one of the mills were compelled to strike because of the treatment received from one of the forewomen. The girls had formed a union the Saturday previous and efforts were being made to disrupt it. The other mills followed the example, and within two weeks all the twelve mills in the city were closed down.

The smaller children led the way, and were the first ones to rebel. And they rebelled none too soon.The writer had the opportunity to see some of them during the past week, and he can say truthfully that anything heretofore said about their age or appearance has not been overdrawn. It is a sickening sight to see the pinched, colorless faces of these children. Their bodies are dwarfed and misshapen through the drudgery of the mill and their legs show startlingly frail and thin below the short dresses.

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for March 1921: Found in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Willing to Swear If Required to Make Her Point

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Praying Swearing, UMWC, Jan 17, 1918———-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday April 26, 1921
Mother Jones News Round-Up for March 1921
-Found in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Will Swear as Needed

From The Grand Rapids Press of March 15, 1921:

MOTHER JONES WILL SWEAR
IF IT IS REQUIRED
———-

Mother Jones, ed WDC Tx p2, Aug 29, 1920“Mother” Jones, for many years a labor leader of national repute, arrived in Grand Rapids Tuesday noon for her first visit to this city in 20 years. She was a guest at the Eagle hotel and lunched at noon with a group of local labor leaders and their wives. During the afternoon she spoke at Trades and Labor council hall on general labor conditions in the United States, being introduced to the Grand Rapids audience by D. B. Hovey. Tuesday evening she will give another address at the Railway Workers’ union.

Grand Rapids labor circles greeted the venerated leader in a spirit of tribute for her many years of service in the cause of labor. She is a picturesque figure, but in spite of her flat bonnet and old-fashioned dress the impression the white haired old lady gives is not that of quaintness but of power, for the lines of her face are very strong and certainly she has a mind of her own. Though 85 years old she is more active than many persons much younger.

Mother Jones said she never knows what she is going to say to an audience until she faces it.

[She said:]

I’m not one of those orators that prepare a speech beforehand. I have to see what the folks I’m going to talk to look like first. If they’re a lot of roughnecks like us not I’ll swear at ’em.

———-

[Photograph added.]

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