You ought to be out raising hell. This is the fighting age. Put on your fighting clothes.
-Mother Jones
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Wednesday September 30, 1914
Chicago, Illinois - Ninth Convention of I. W. W. Advocates Direct Action for Unemployed
Big Bill Haywood with Unemployed
in New York City last winter.
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From the
Chicago Daily Tribune
of September 23rd:
PLANS TO ORGANIZE IDLE.
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Haywood Tells I. W. W. Convention No Grain Should Be Exported.
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Plans for organizing the unemployed for the coming winter were made at the opening session of the ninth annual convention of the Industrial Workers of the World yesterday at 2017 Evergreen avenue. "Big Bill" Haywood, general organizer, and Vincent St. John, secretary-treasurer of the I. W. W., were the principal figures at the convention.
I. W. W. to Organize Harvest Fields
Frank Little
Only twenty-five delegates were present at this year's convention of the Industrial Workers of the World, and some predict that this small turn-out spells doom for this band of rebel workers. The delegates were informed by Vincent St. John that he plans to step-down from his position as General Secretary-Treasurer. St. John plans to move to New Mexico to prospect for gold. Haywood volunteered to replace St. John, and this arrangement was accepted by the delegates.
Fellow Worker Frank Little proposed that "some means should be taken for concerted and efficient action in the harvest fields next year." A resolution was adopted for the calling of a conference of members from various locals which border on the harvest district. This conference is to determine ways and means "for harmonious grouping of hitherto spasmodic efforts of harvest organization."
Direct Action for the Unemployed
The Convention adopted a direct-action program aimed at engaging in "practical" methods for relief of the the Unemployed:
While the Army of the Unemployed is growing by legions, the Masters of Bread are preparing to ship to the murderous hordes of Europe the foodstuff that the workers have produced, and this with the connivance of the United States Government which has under way plans to subsidize ships for that purpose.
No single thought is given to the Peaceful Army of Production. Millions are appropriated for the militia and the army of destruction, but not a cent to provide work for the wealth producers.
It is up to the Workers to meet with grim determination the situation which presents itself. Let the message of the I. W. W. be, get them even if you have to go to the granaries and warehouses and help yourselves. Rather than congregate around City Halls, Capitols and empty squares, go to the market places and waterfronts where food is abundant. Where food is being shipped, confiscate it, if you have the power.
In his report to the convention, Big Bill Haywood made this statement:
The principles of this organization are as sound and ring as true as worthy metal. The idea of the Industrial Workers of the World, founded as it is on the class struggle, is imperishable. Its ideals quicken the pulse and strengthen the heart of every member. Its members are to a remarkable degree free from all religious superstitions, no longer hoodwinked by political chicanery-looking upon the exploiter, whether a farmer, a small business man or a trust magnate, with a clear vision that recognizes a common enemy. Youthful, courageous, and full of vigor, this organization is facing a future teeming with fruitful possibilities.
[emphasis added]
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SOURCES
Chicago Daily Tribune
(Chicago, Illinois)
-of Sept 23, 1914
http://www.newspapers.com/...
'Big Bill' Haywood
-by Melvyn Dubofsky
Manchester University Press, 1987
History of the Labor Movement in the United States Vol. 4
The Industrial Workers of the World 1905-1917
-by Philip S Foner
International Pub, 1965
Wobbly
The Rough-and-Tumble Story of an America Radical
-by Ralph Chaplin
U of Chicago Press, 1948
IMAGES
Big Bill with New York Unemployed
http://www.iww.org/...
Frank Little
http://www.iww.org/...
The IWW Is Coming
http://libcom.org/...
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There Is Power in the Union-Utah Phillips
If you want nothing before you are dead,
Then shake hands with your boss and look wise.
-Joe Hill
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