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Hellraisers Journal – Monday January 17, 1910
New York, New York – Shirtwaist Makers: “On Strike Against God”
From The Public of January 14, 1910:
The Girls’ Strike in New York Winning Out.
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More than 30,000 of the shirtwaist makers on strike in New York [see The Public of January 7] were reported on the 7th to have won their fight. Two hundred and seventy-one manufacturers had at that time signed the agreement with the union, granting all the demands of the girls. There were still about 6,000 girls out.
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One of the men strikers who recently appeared in the Children’s court against a strike-breaker, was asked by Magistrate Olmstead if he were working. “Not now,” replied the striker, “we are on strike.” “No,” said Magistrate Olmstead. “I know you are not working and are on strike. You are on strike against God and nature, whose prime law is that man shall earn his bread in the sweat of his brow. You are on strike against God.” Thereupon Elizabeth Dutcher of the Women’s Trade Union League sent the following cablegram to George Bernard Shaw:
Shaw, 10 Adelphi Terrace, London.
Magistrate tells shirtwaist maker here he is on strike against God, whose prime law is man should earn bread in sweat of brow. Please characterize. Reply. Charges paid.
The following reply was promptly received:
Women’s Trade Union League, New York.
Delightful, medieval America always in the intimate personal confidence of the Almighty.
BERNARD SHAW.