The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-04-11
ON STRIKE FOR
UNION SCALE
By C. J. Folsom.

by &. j. FOlSOm.
Three hundred shingle weavers en-
ployed in the Ballard mills are again
in organized revolt against their
tyrant masters. There are fourteen
shngle mills in this Seattle suburb.
Two of these were idle at the time the
strike was called, and it is expected
they will resume operations within
few days under fair conditions. This,
at best, leaves twelve mills in which
the fight is to be waged to the bitter
end.
The strikers are demanding a wage
equal to the international minimum
scale. The millowners assert this
would involve 10 per cent increase.
Granted. This but emphasizes the I'M
fairness of the bosses position. AS
matter of fact the weavers here have
been receiving 10 per cent less than
the lowest wage paid elsewhere in the
northwest. More than that, other
abuses have been heaped upon them
tldI nave COillDltltu " lIlclht JllCll lllC
a miserable hell.
This is not the first time these men
have struck. They have had enough
experience to realize that this strik-
ing business is no kid play. They
know the hardships it entails. They
are not doing this because they like
it. They have chosen this course be-
cause it offers them the only escape
from an industrial hell. They have
maturely considered this problem.
Previous strikes have taught them to
reckon the probable cost of battle.
They have exercised a caution that
only men with a dozen years of ac-
cumulated experience can exercise.
Light hotheads have played no part
in framing this fight. The bosses will
yet learn that our spring chicken"
days have been outgrown. He has
now fight on his hand that will make
him hurry.
Are the mills tied up? Well, let's
see. There is the Phoenix, six upright
MILL idle; McDonald's fourteen up
right mill, idle; Motor, four upright
mill running one machine; Seattle
Cedar Lumber Co, four ten-blocks,
double-block, single-block and hand
machine mill. trying to run with a
dozen green Greeks as clippermen and
ten or twelve of the original crew that
have not as yet joined the strikers.
The success with which this company
is meeting may be judged when We
tell you that they have fourteen men
gathering material to grind in hogs"
for fuel, a thing never required when
the mill run under normal conditions.
Then there is Sobie's eight upright
machine mill, three machine running,
with two women packing. or at least
trying to pack Oh, no! They are
not very hard pressed for men down
to Sobey's. Strike breakers are plen-
tiful-nit
The Star, one double-block and one
upright, idle; Woodlands, one double
block and five uprights, idle; Shoe
maker & Vincent, five upright, idle;
Taylor & McLaughlans four uprights,
idle; and Sturgeon. one double-block
and three uprights, idle.
When reasonable allowance is made
for past strike failures in Ballard, you
must know that these men have a
mighty good cause to strike, other
sweeu6bas, would not be able to close
wonderful scenes bringing fortn =
pc, the girl, herself a prisoner, z
lie self-sacTifice of her negro ser x
meets his death with lips sealed
story is brought to a high pitch, 2
r and sensational attack by Gen <
thrilling charge following a can
the ground. The battle in the 2
ures presents amazing pictures,
THE WORLD"
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