The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-05-16
NEW MOVEMENT
SUCCEEDING
PLAN OF SHINGLE WEAVERs
TO ORGANIZE UNDER ONE
INDUSTRIAL HEAD THE EN-
TIRE TIMBER INDUSTRY
PROVES A WINNER FROM
THE START.

/ (By j. u. brown, president Interna-
tional Union of Shingle Weavers, Saw
mill Workers and WoodsmenD
The spirit of the West is the spirit
Of progress. This may be noticed in
every walk of life. Social life is less
insipid than in the East; religious
! teachings are broader and closer to
the real doctrines of the Nazarene; ad-
vanced political ideas find ready root
in the soil of the West Oppression
gals our citizens, they resent all forms
OF tyranny, and any encroachment on
their rights means a fight
With these facts in mind it is not
strange that the workers with their
organizations would show the same
evidences of advancement and up-to-
dateness noticeable in other walks of
life
1t was with a full knowledge of these
characteristics, and themselves imbued
with it, that prompted the Shingle
Weayers Union to undertake the for
nation of an organization that should
be co-eXtensive with the lumber in
dustry. Having reached this deter
mination it was to be expected that
the new movement would be along
somewhat more radical lines than the
trade unions organized a quarter of a
century ago. New problems demand
nc
full in protecting the interests of the
workers years back cannot so ably
cope with the powerful corporations of
the present time.
1t was seen that the loggers, saw
mill workers and shingle weavers are
all employed by the same group of
capitalists. All these employers
whether engaged in one or all branches
of the industry belong to the same
associations. What more natural than
that all the workers should belong to
the same union?
The Shingle Weavers Union has
been the only union that has contested
the ground for the past dozen years
with the overlords of the lumber in
dustry. They have bettered their con-
ditions considerable, and what is of
more Importance, they have been able
for the most part to successfully re-
sist the attempts of the employers to
reduce their wages and lower the
standard of employment in times of
industrial depression. The loggers, a
brave, Independent and aggressive
body of men, because of their lack of
organization, have been ever at the
mercy of the most unscrupulous ele-
ment among the lumber barons. The
conditions in the sawmills have been
a standing disgrace to the state and
to the nation. If the shingle weavers
in their isolated capacity could do so
much for their members as compared
with the unorganized men, why could
not all the men employed in the in
dustry associated together in one
union do the same or better for all?
SO the plan was conceived, and so
the movement was launched Because
of the new departures or because of
the advanced ideas, it was not feared
by the woodsmen and sawmill work
ers. On the contrary, they heard the
message gladly. BY the thousands
they have joined hands with the
pioneers. During the first month
more than three thousand workers
cast their lot with the new union
This number could have been greatly
increased, had it been possible to have
had more organizers working among
the unorganized men. However, de-
spite our limited facilities, the number
secured are a sure indication of ulti-
mate success. Moreover, the circle is
constantly widening More organizers
are being put to work all the time.
By the middle of the summer it is
hoped to have organizers enough to
reach all the timbered sections of the
Pacific Coast at least.
Letters of inquiry have been re-
ceived at headquarters from as far
east as New Brunswick and New
Hampshire, and from as far south as
New Orleans A letter from the lat
ter place tells of the misfortunes that
have overtaken the Brotherhood of
Timber Workers since their ill-starred
affiliation with the |. w w. 1t is
stated that President Emmerson of
that organization was induced to work
for affiliation with the l. w. w against
his better judgment Later events
have made him bitterly regret this
course.
Probably the l. w. w in the south
is the same as it is in the west If so,
Continued on Back Page of Cover.)