Hellraisers Journal – Sunday February 23, 1913 Paterson, New Jersey – Silk Workers Vote with Great Enthusiasm for General Strike
From the Paterson Morning Call of February 20, 1913:
GENERAL STRIKE DUE NEXT WEEK? ———- Labor Committee Will Decide on Date at Tonight’s Meeting. ———-
Newark Evening Star February 20, 1913
Two meeting rooms were necessary in Turn hall last night to accommodate all the silk workers that attended to take action on a proposed general strike throughout the industry in this city. When more than a thousand had crowded into one hall and the police prohibited any additional people there, the committee from local 152, Industrial Workers of the World, under whose auspices the mass meeting was conducted, opened a smaller hall, where between two and three hundred stood while they listened to urgent appeals on the part of the labor leaders to join the walkout, which they claimed to be inevitable now. Men and women continued going and coming during the entire evening, so that it is safe to assume there were more than two thousand who heard all or part of the speeches at least.
After all the speakers had concluded, the chairman of the meeting asked what decision the people had arrived at and what they considered doing in the matter of the movement to do away with the three and four-loom system in Paterson. One man to the rear of the hall yelled “strike” in no uncertain tones, and the hundreds applauded.
“How many vote to have this striker?” asked the chairman, and then requested that all in favor of going out raise their right hands. The people had been worked to a white heat of enthusiasm by the addresses and many of them raised both hands and then jumped on chairs to make their approval the more pronounced. After joining in huzzas for the period of a minute or more the people filed out.
Whether this spirit is a lasting one will remain to be seen when the executive committee of the local 152 call upon the workers to strike. It was evident last night that the men were more than interested in the matter, but even sanguine labor leaders would not vouch for their support. Such action by the people was expected after the oratorical fireworks that had been presented, but there was no indication that the same line of action would be adhered to when the privations consequent to the loss of work and wages are met with.
Between 500 and 600 of the workers that crowded the two halls last night did not wait until the vote was taken, and their presence might be accounted for by assigning curiosity as the cause. They made no expression of their opinion one way or another, and while their support is banked upon, there is no positive assurance that the support will be there when wanted.
A Polish speaker named Lauer, an Italian speaker, Organizer Kaplen, who spoke in Yiddish, and Miss Elizabeth Flynn made up the list of talkers that had been brought into the city for the meeting. When it became necessary to open the second hall, several of the local leaders jumped into the breach and made addresses on the situation as they sized it up.
One thing is certain, a general strike will be called.The executive committee of local 152, I. W. W., will hold a closed meeting this evening in Turn Hall, where manifestos will be brought up and translated into several languages. As soon as they are taken from the press they will be distributed directly to the silk workers.
Hellraisers Journal – Thursday January 30, 1913 Paterson, New Jersey – Silk Weavers Revolt Against Four Loom System
From The Paterson Evening News of January 29, 1913:
Where Three and Four Loom Systems Are Being Operated -Big Mass Meeting Arranged for Tomorrow. ———-
Yesterday afternoon about five hundred striking weavers, who have quit their work in the Henry Doherty mill at Lakeview, proceeded to the Samuel Aronsohn mill at Tenth avenue and East Eighteenth street, in an effort to get the weavers at this place to go out on strike against the four loom system. In order to spread their fight in mills where four looms are operated, the striking Doherty weavers propose to try and get all other weavers who operated four looms to go out on strike with them. When the five hundred strikers made their appearance in the vicinity of the Aronsohn mill, police headquarters was notified, and Sergeant John Ricker dispatched the automobile patrol with reserves to the scene.
Aronsohn brothers complained that the strikers who gathered on the outside were trying to attract the attention of their workmen and in this way their business was interfered with. When Sergeant Sautter and the police reserves arrived the strikers made their way to a nearby hall with the intentions of holding a mass meeting, but the great crowd which had marched from Lakeview to Tenth avenue were too tired to hold any meeting. In order to prevent all other weavers of the city from running four looms the Doherty strikers hope to carry their fight into every mill where this system is carried out, for they are opposed to the four loom system.
Tomorrow night at Helvetia Hall the Doherty strikers will hold a large mass meeting. It has been decided by the officials of the I. W. W. that any weaver who runs four looms shall be considered a strike breaker. In order to accomplish this, however, it will be necessary to conduct their strike along peaceful and orderly lines.
It is to expected that Miss Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, who took such an active part in the waiters’ strike in York city, will come to this city and make her headquarters here so that she may take an active interest in the fight against four looms. Miss Flynn is just twenty-two years, and her success in holding together for almost a month 4,000 striking waiters, whom nobody has ever been able to handle in a harmonious manner, has amazed labor agitators with far more experience. They haven’t been able to understand how this young woman could dominate the situation for nearly a month.
With her assistance the Doherty weavers hope to secure the sympathy of other weavers who are now operating four looms in a number of mills in the city. Organizer Edward Keettegen [Ewald Koettgen], the I. W. W. organizer who is conducting the strike at the Doherty mill, will preside at the mass meeting tomorrow evening.
Hellraisers Journal – Thursday January 9, 1913 Paterson, New Jersey – Elizabeth Gurley Flynn Speaks to Shirt Workers
From The Paterson Evening News of January 7, 1913:
GIRL ORGANIZER ADDRESSED MEETING OF SHIRT WORKERS ———-
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn a well known organizer in the ranks of the Industrial Workers of the World, last night addressed a gathering shirt workers at Helvetia hall. The purpose of the meeting was to affect a permanent organization of a union.
Miss Flynn is a forceful speaker and her suggestions gained from much experience in the ranks of labor were listened to attentively. She dwelled on the eight-hour day movement, which she declared is general throughout the country, and laid importance on the shorter work day for the working girls and women. Following her address three hundred applications for membership were acted upon.
Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday November 13, 1901 Mother Jones News Round-Up for October 1901, Part II Found in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia
From the New York Evening World of October 28, 1901:
“MOTHER” JONES TO SPEAK TO THRONGS ———————-
GREAT TURNOUT EXPECTED IN PATERSON TO-NIGHT. ——- Unionists of All Trades Are Invited to Hear the Famous Labor Agitator. ——-
A great gathering of silk weavers and other factory workers is expected to-night at Apollo Hall in Paterson, where “Mother” Jones, the famous Pennsylvania labor agitator, will deliver an address on the advantages of unionism.
Although she comes here at the special invitation of the silk workers, the members of all other trades are invited to attend the meeting, and a great turnout of factory hands is looked for.
Daniel Teevan, the labor leader, has returned to Paterson, after having accompanied “Mother” Jones in her tour through the upper part of New Jersey.
He reports she was well received every where, and at Phillipsburg, Summit and Sterling she addressed large and enthusiastic meetings.
After leaving Paterson “Mother” Jones will go to Hazleton, where she will speak on Tuesday.
Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday November 12, 1901 Mother Jones News Round-Up for October 1901, Part I Found in West Virginia; Travels to New Jersey and Points East
From The Indianapolis Journal of October 2, 1901:
SECRET MEETING IS HELD ————-
LEADING UNITED MINE WORKERS AT PARKERSBURG, W. VA. ——-
PARKERSBURG. W. Va., Oct 1.-The leading representatives of the United Mine Workers of America from all the coal-mining States have been in session at Van Winkle Hotel here for two days and left to-night with the secrets of their sessions well kept….
It is said that President Mitchell could not be present on account of sickness, but even this could not be confirmed by any of those who were in attendance. It is generally believed here that plans were considered for the relief of the Thacker district, in West Virginia, where trouble between the miners and operators has existed for some time.
Among the delegates present were “Mother” Jones, of Chicago; F. C. Reinhardt, Pittsburg; John H. Walker, Danville, Ill.; Thomas Burke, Springfield, Ill.; Chris Evans, Nelsonville, O.; G. W. Purcell, Terre Haute, Ind. [and other officials]….
“Mother” Jones, recognized by the union as one of its best organizers, and Chris Evans, the oldest labor organizer in the country, and other organizers have been working in West Virginia since the first of the year, organizing the miners. It was decided at the last miners’ convention to give special attention to organization in that State.
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:
At 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.
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[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…..
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.
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…..
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—————At 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.
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