Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1912-05-16
Crushing Workers
In Vancouver

ever euualled, in all the history of La
Dor, seven thousand Railway Construc-
ton Workers employed on the Cana |
dian Northern between Hope and KAN
loops, B. C., walked out on strike.
The "tie-up" was complete and effec- |
tive The construction work, extend
ing over three hundred miles of terri
tory, stopped in every camp. The
contractors realized that the workers
were organized thoroughly, and were
prepared to fight as Labor had never
fought before. Preparations for a
determined struggle were made by
both sides. The almost insurmount-
able obstacles that lay in the path OF
the strikers were conquered; Difficult
ties overcome.
The Contractors had derided the
idea of strike occurring. They pro
fessed to despise the men who laboree
for them. They did not think that the
workers possessed the courage of in
telligence to rebel. Unable to STAN
pede the strikers back to work or t.
secure scabs, they called upon the
Government to aid in breaking the
strike. This appeal met with ready
response. Tn strike zone was imme-
diately flooded with police and pro-
fessional gunner. But still the
workers remained firm, with ranks IN
broken.
Then started sytematic attempt by
the police, to drive the strikers back
to work or off the line. Our men were
cursed, slugged and in several in
stances shot. With self control that
was astounding and with the knowl-
edge that their cause was just one,
the strikers, in ethe face of these out
rageous br Qualities, maintained Rer.
feet order and discipline within tHeil
ranks.
At the end of three weeks the con-
tractors became desperate. The police
were goaded to further activities. All
pretense of law and order was cast to
the winds. Strikers were arrested by
the hundreds and herded into vile and
filthy jails. Those in Jail were order
ed, by the police, to return to work,
and upon refusing to act as strike
breakers, were given Jail sentences of
from one to six months. Not one
traitor-not one deserter, was found
among the large number that were ar
rested. All accepted a prison term
rather than scaD.
Then came the greatest outrage OF
all the acts of oppression. A number
of the most active members were ar.
rested and thrown in Jail to await trial
on criminal charges. The contractors
are 'boasting that these men are to be.
railroaded to the penitentiary for
long term of years. Perjury mountain
high may be used to convict them.
The strikers have been carrying on a
splendid struggle against almost over
whelming odds for over a month and
have been self-supporting up to the
present moment They are not able
to finance. the legal defense of those
in Jail. 1t now becomes necessary to
appeal to the workers at large to lend
financial aid.
If able lawyers are not secured,
these men, now in jail, will surely be
railroaded to the penitentiary. Do you
wish to see mem of your class sent to
Jail for daring to rebal against low
wages and long hours of toll. If these
men can be sent to Jail with impunity,
a dangerous precedent will be estab-
lished, and no workingman will be
safe to strike. Funds are needed and
needed quickly. The only means the
strikers have to raise funds is to ap-
peal to you. If you are Indifferent
and do not help them, they will be
1OTC6Q W O0CldI0 IuO oCA4hO OA anu
those in jail will certainly suffer. IT,
on the other hand, we can obtain the
release of those in jail, we will be in
a position to continue the strike and
force the bosses to come through
with our demands. The fate of the
men in Jail and the strike is up to
you With your aid we will win: with
out it we lose.
Send funds to M. Levine, Secretary
Treasurer Legal Defense Fund, "a
Cordova Street West, Vancouver, B. c.
Authorized by Central Strike Com
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