The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1912-05-24
UNIONS DO
NOT AGREE
REPORT OF PRESIDENT CASE
ON THE GRAYS HARBOR
TROBULE RESULTS IN DIFF
FERENCE OF OPINION -
SOMETHING OF A TEMPEST
IN A TEAPOT VARYING
VERSIONS OF THE AFFAIR
REACH LABOR JOURNAL.


Editor Labor Journal:
lished version of the |. w. w. trouble
and strike on Grays Harbor from the
pen of Mr. Charles r. Case, president
of the Washington State Federation of
Labor. Mr.. Case was on the harbor
about ten days and in his article to you
arraigned against the damnable un
American and uncomfortable conditions
of employment" on Grays Harbor.
Outsiders, reading Mr.. Cases article,
would get very erroneous impression
of conditions on Grays Harbor. In
fact, we are unable tc understand why
tent he did unless he was writing to
please the people who do not believe
there is enough red in the American
flag
Regarding the /. w. w. strike, the
bulk of the trade union men on Grays
Harbor refused to sanction or endorse
it. Endorsement of the strike was re-
fused by the Grays Harbor Trades and
Labor council, the Building Trades
council of Aberdeen, and of Iloquiam,
and the two largest craft unions in
the two cities. The I. w. w. leaders
proved g themselves not only undesir-
able citizens, but poor leaders. Their
tactics aroused fully so per cent Of
the citizens of the Harbor against
them and the strike.
Mr.. Case wrote you that a call was
made for militia, "but governor fac
ing an election, hesitated.' No call
for militia was made. This county
has splendid sheriff; Aberdeen a
capable mayor; and the citizens of
Hoquiam handled the matter at their
end. The strike was settled without
an individual being seriously hurt or
any property destroyed.
We ask the readers to read this
sentence from Mr.. Cases article.
Speaking of the release of some l. w.
WIS by the Hoquiam citizens, he
wrote:
"They We're finally released and un
der most dire threats, many returned
to work under fear of torture if they
refused"
Mr.. Case would not have handed in
Il, "A, : -
for publication. It's utter absurdity
would have made him ridiculous here.
Why he should send it out to reliable
papers at distance, is a mystery.
If Mr.. Cases article is right, then
the unionists of Grays Harbor failed
miserably in not rendering relief. If
Mr.. Cases statements are correct, then
the harbor cities are hardly as fit for
working men as Russian Siberia.
Residents of the harbor cities are
proud of them, and this includes the
workers. Conditions are as good here
as are to be found anywhere where
men are employed in similar lines. Our
people believe in good government and
the American flag and what it stands
for. The cities have abolished the
worst forms of vice and have built
churches and schools. We resent an
unwarranted untruthful attack upon
this community and deeply regret that
it should be made by Mr.. Case. We
feel that he should respect his position
even if he has no regard for the truth.
We request that you give this the
same publicity that you did the article
by Mr. Case. Fraternally yours,
Aberdeen & Hoquiam Building Trades
council.
(Seal.) BY j. w. BURNETT,
President
NJ. H. LEONARD,
Secretary.
Local No. SSS, c. & j. of Am.