Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1905-10-11

qulrements of this age. it waste be
expected that the capitalist class,
alarmed at the growing interest the
wage-earners were taking in the
principles expounded by the In
dustrial Workers of the World, would
at the first opportunity, attempt to
strike blow against the organiza-
ton while still in its infancy.
This opportunity presented itself
when the Stogie Makers of Cleve-
land, Ohio. organized the industry
under the Industrial Workers of the
World. The employees in that in
dustry had been denied the right to
organize themselves by the aristo-
cratic International Union of Cigar
Makers and, as the message of in
dustrial unionism appealed to them
so strongly, they organized them
selves Immediately after the close of
the convention. 1t is we'll to state
that the men and women of that in
dustry were not ignorant of the aims
and fighting methods of labor or
CARNATIONS; they had gone through
two struggles before, when organized
in union which had to be indie
pendent, for reasons given above.
Immediately upon learning of the
organization of the employees being
perfected, the manufacturers organ
lied. Their first move was to en-
gage, what they termed apprenti
ces. The members of the union
counteracted this move by taking
in the apprentices, most of whom
were over twenty and thirty years of
age. The manufacturers continued
engaging and breaking in more ap-
prentices, until they thought they
had enough to begin war against
their older employees. by establish
ing a blacklist. Employees quit
ing their jobs, or discharged, could
not get employment in another esta-
blishment. Finally the union was
forced to take action. Upon pre-
senting the case to the general ex-
ecutive board of the Industrial
Workers of the World, by an auth
orized delegate of the union, ad-
vice was given to ask for an adjust
ment. Failure upon the part of the
manufacturer to arrive at an under
standing, satisfactory to all con-
cerned, was sufficient reason for
more drastic measures; quick action
was deemed essential for any event
full success. The manufacturer
refused to negotiate. The mem
bers we're forced to either strike
when the employers were the least
prepared or allow their organization
to be destroyed piece-meal; they
chose the former.
The general executive board OF
the Industrial Workers of the World
knowing that the wealth producer:
are always right in their struggle:
against the exploiters, realized thai
immediate and adequate support
must, by all means, be given to these
members of our class, driven into
one of the most justified strikes. Il
was, therefore, to issue a strong ap
peal to all members of and the strong
army of sympathizers with the In
dustrial Workers of the World.
Fellow workers-this fight can b,
won, if you show your struggling
comrades that you are with them il
spirit and in action. The sinews o
war must be supplied Contribut,
your sharel Take up the matte
Immediately! Don't delay actor
on this appeall The membership o
the Industrial Workers of the Worlc
should demonstrate to the world o
labor that they are imbued with
noble spirit of solidarity. Now i
the time to act
Send all contributions to Davi,
Hochwald, 400 Scoville Ave-, Cleve
land, Ohio: and notify general head