The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-07-02
MINERS ANGEL SAYS
WORKERS FASH|ON|NG
OUT own SALVATION

WASHINGTON, D. c., July L.
1.-The Workingmen Of this country are
at last beginning to think for them
selves"
: These Significant words came from
the lips of Mother Jones, the gray
haiBed labor agitator, who for the
last thirty years. has participated in
every labor struggle of any promi-
hence, whose presence on the field Of
action inspires courage and hope
among the workers, and strikes terror
in the hearts Of the masters.
In the years gone by said
Mother" as she is fondly called by
the millions Of her boys" the work.
ers wene absolutely helpless and de-
pendent on the ability and loyalty OF
the leaders. Today the leaders are
absolutely helpless and dependent on
the strength and intelligence of the
rank and file.
THE work Of the old warriors Of
the labor movement, who have blazed
the way with sacrifices for a cause
that burned their souls, is bearing
fruit. The workers are at last fired
with the spirit of revolt and religious
ly and industrially they are working
out their own salvation"
There are any number Of plain
workingmen," continued Mother Jones,
who for clearness and logic in an
alyzing and understanding economic
questions can give cards and spades
to any senator and representative in
Washington.
"Workingmen of today exchange
ideas and discuss important problems
in the workshops, at their union meet
ings, and in their ever growing labor
press. These are the most promising
signs Of the times"
Mother Jones has spent the last
ten days in Washington, doing her
utmost to secure a congressional in
Vestigation Of the persecution of the
Mexican political refugees in this
country. When she was called upon
to testify at the hearing on Repre-
sentative Wilson's resolution for an
investigation of these outrages before
the house committee on rules, Chair
man Dalzell asked her to state the
place Of her residence.
Il live wherever the workers are
fighting the robbers" she replied to
the surprise and embarrassment or u
number Of corporation men who are
members of the committee.
Although seventy-six years Of age,
Mother Jones has no thought of retir.
ing. II am still in the fight" she
says. From here I am going to New
York city, and see what can do for
those bakery boys who are there ION
strike, From there I am going to the
anthracite region, and from there, I
don't know"
Working to the limit Of her strength
for those who are living, Mother Jones
has not forgotten those "old warriors
who have blazed the way"
In lonely spot in Bruceville, Tex,
marked only by a piece of an old iron
shovel, Is the grave of Martin Irons,
the labor pioneer, who. is unhonored,
unsung and unremembered,"' feelingly
said Mother Jones. -
Martin Irons, on whose bleached
bones the railroad brotherhoods have
been built, the man who was bounded
to death by the Goulds and their sat-
tellites Is buried in an obscure spot
In the little cemetery of that small
Texas town. When I visited his grave,
these words came to my lips:
Here lies the hero of the indus
trial battle. He lies alone and yet
not alone, for the knocking birds are
singing their love songs to their
mates
In the near future, am going to
have his remains moved to the ceme-
terry OF the martyred miners in Mt.
owe ILL.,. and the Martin Irons will
sleep with fellow. soldiers who have
given their lives for humanity's great
est cause"