You ought to be out raising hell. This is the fighting age. Put on your fighting clothes.
-Mother Jones
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Friday November 6, 1903
From the Reading Times: "Labor Now Faces Grave Problems"
AMERICAN FEDERATION'S CONVENTION AT BOSTON NEXT WEEK
HAS SOME KNOTTY POINTS TO CONSIDER.
Philadelphia, Nov. 4-At no time since the initial conference at Pittsburgh in 1881 that led to its formation has the American Federation of Labor had as grave problems confronting it as those which will appear for settlement at the twenty-third annual convention which opens on Monday next in Faneuil Hall, Boston.
A year ago at New Orleans, socialism, trade autonomy and trade jurisdiction were the chief questions confronting the delegates. To these, during the past twelve months, have been added the "open shop," the sympathetic strike, a more tense situation in the building trades, and how the vast combinations of employers that have been formed to meet the aggressions of labor shall be dealt with.
Any action against the sympathetic strike will be strongly contested by the building trades. As last year they controlled more than one-fifth of the entire number of votes, their opposition is a matter to be diplomatically dealt with.
The recently formed National Association of the Building Trades will be used by them as a whip of coercion. A movement now under way to unite the Protective Laborers' Unions into a national body is being bitterly fought by the executive council and the conflict will be renewed before the convention. The Building Trades will also demand better representation on the executive council.
SOURCE
Reading Times
(Reading, Pennsylvania)
-of Nov 5, 1903
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Thursday November 6, 1913
From the El Paso Herald: "Calumet Strikers Open Supply Stores"
Striking Copper Miners March in Calumet
Calumet, Mich., Nov. 5.-With no hope of a settlement of the copper strike in sight, the strikers have commenced preparations to carry their fight for recognition of the union through the winter.
Store have been opened at Hancock and Red Jacket by the Western Federation of Miners, and others will be started at Laurium, Ahmeek and South Range.
These stores will be stocked with necessities of life contributed by strike sympathizers and labor unions, and will be the distributing centers in their respective districts. Large quantities of clothing are expected from Butte and other metal mining regions. Three carloads of coal arrived in the South Range district today and strikers are cutting their winter supply of wood on property of strike sympathizers near Calumet.
Leaders declare there is no suffering among the strikers. Donations of money are being received from organizations affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.
SOURCE
El Paso Herald
(El Paso, Texas)
-of Nov 5, 1913
Photo: Michigan Copper Miners' Strike 1913-14 Centennial
"Park Announces Calumet Visitor Center Fall and Winter Hours"
http://1913strike.wordpress.com/...
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Wednesday November 6, 2013
The Executive Council of the A. F. of L. in November of 1903:
(As constituted before the Boston Convention)
Samuel Gompers, President
James Duncan, First Vice-President
John Mitchell, Second Vice-President
James O'Connell, Third Vice-President
Max Morris, Fourth Vice-President
Thomas I. Kidd, Fifth Vice-President
D. A. Hayes, Sixth Vice-President
John B. Lennon. Treasurer
Frank Morrison, Secretary
More to come in future Hellraisers regarding the Protective Laborers' Unions, and the organization, or lack thereof, of the "unskilled" workers by the A. F. of L.
SOURCE
The American Federationist, Vol 10,
The Official Magazine of the American Federation of Labor, p.412
http://books.google.com/...
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A Miner's Life-Billy Bragg
Workers' strength cannot be broken
When in Union we combine.
Stand up tall, and stand together,
Victory for you prevails.