The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-04-18
BALLARD BOYS
WINNING OUT
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Developments in the Ballard strike
all point to victory for the shingle-
weavers. A rapid change has come
over the people of this strike-bound
burg during the last week. When the
strike was first called everybody on
the streets We're saying: I'm afraid
boys you can't win" These same
people are now saying: Boys, stay
with it! You have them licked"
That our cause is just, is admitted
| generally; even some Of the milmen
quietly concede that much. But that
a cause is just is not in itself suffi-
cient to insure victory The thing
that counts is power. That's Just
what several years of bitter exper-
ience has developed in the Ballard
shingleweavers.
In previous battles the shingle-
weayers' organization was shattered,
and the millowners with their asso-
citation were victorious. When the
smoke of battle clears from the field
this time it will be different. Already
we have them on the run.
The first break among the millmen
forces occurred this morning, Tues
day 18th, when the Star Shingle Com
pany started up under fair con-
ditions
Now other millowners are trying
to find some way to concede our de-
mands without acknowledging defeat.
Say, its amazing to see how dollar
chasing shrivels a mans soul, narrows
his vision, smothers good impulses.
and develops pure damn cussedness.
Here we have profit mongers who can
look on Indifferent, while the ambu-
lance carries to the hospital some in
nocent green school boy, employed as
strike breaker, who has lost a hand,
while operating their shingle machine.
That men and boys are manned in
their mills is nothing more than just
business. But when these workers
demand a living wage that isn't
business" that's hell"
If you want to shock a Ballard Bull
pen proprietor, don't tell him several
of his employees have just been killed,
tell him several of his employees want
an advance in wages.
During this strike the millowners
have combed this whole northwest in
search of strike breakers. So far
they have succeeded in importing less
than a half dozen, and from among
them, only two who can even make
a good bluff at working. The mills
trying to operate with scabs are not
cutting more than 10 per cent of their
normal capacity.
In the big strike Of 1906, the mill
men had strike breakers galore; they
had a sympathetic police administra-
ton; they had a strangle hold on the
public press: and the backing of 80
per cent of the mills of the state; be-
sides the employment grafters were
tumbling over themselves to offer
their vile service. We had green re-
cruits, little experience and less
money How different things are
now
The millmen have lost the sympathy
of the public; the backing of their
competitors; the support of a med
ding police administration the en-
ployment shark fears the power of or
ganized labor to put them out of busi-
ness, therefore he is a better dog:
besides the Seattle Star has greatly
helped in breaking the strangle hold
the bosses once had on the Seattle
P-I." and Seattle Times" The peo-
pie at large are learning the truth and
therefore are with us.
Besides the millowners are faced
with the necessity of making hay
while the sun shines" When the
Lake Washington canal is opened
there will be a heavy rush of water
on their mills Most of them will be
/ several feet below high water mark.
We have well seasoned, firm standing
forces that know where they are at.
All this explains why the bosses are
/ in a cold sweat
/ Surely we should win