New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-26
Individual Industries
Are at a Disadvantage

Individual industries are at the same
disadvantage as society in general in
trying to deal with the /. w. w. This
organization will not make agreements
or promises conditional on its demands
being granted.
What if you do succeed in getting
the cight-hour day." | asked an /. w.
W. organizer at the headquarters here.
Then Wen strike for seven hours.
After that We'll strike for six hours,
and finally Wen strike to get posses
sion Of the business, unless the propri-
etor has by that time discovered that
his business is not worth keeping"
When considering the decision of the
lumbeTmen TO ignore the appeal of the
National Council of Defence, it is well
to remember this purpose Of the !. W.
w. There is not the least assurance
that there will not be a strike for seven
hours within week after the eight
hour day has been obtained or granted.
If the strike were controlled by the
Federation Of Labor il would be diff
ferent. That body is merely trying 70
take advantage Of an ]. w. W strike
70 strengthen itself. II is not the
strike, but an incident 1t is in no po-
sition to enter into a binding agree
ment, because it has 10 goods" to de-
liver. The |. W. w. could deliver, but
viii not That is why-and also be-
cause of its equality-that the lumber
men Of the Northwest would welcome a
Federal law imposing an eight-hour
day. There is no opposition to the
eight-hour day as such, but only to its
application sectionally.
At |. w. w. headquarters they dis
claim any intention of violence in this
strike.
eve have got some sense" they
say.
At the same time they recommend
sabotage and distribute Walker c.
Smiths booklet On that subject
"A little sabotage is all right" they
say. because it makes the bosses
think and then we get what we want"
The /. W. w. collects 30 cents a
month from each member There is
no organization by trades but rather
by industries. and there are no dis
tinct "ocals." One sub-union is con-
Quoting the whole lumber strike in the
Northwest. 1t Is called Lumber
Workers Industrial Union. No 500"
It's general headquarters are in
Spokane. It does not attempt to ne
gotiate or confer with the employers.
IL simply demands the eight-hour day
and certain improved conditions.
when the employers announce that the
demands will be granted the men will
20 back 70 work, but there will be no
agreements, no understandings, no
contracts. They may strike. if they
wish, the next day. The |. w. W. mem
bers regard the lumbermen as barons
and themselves, as we'll as all work.
men, as serfs Eventually they hope
to take over the lumber industry and
every other industry.
zone Big Union" is the l. W. w.
motto. They work ceaselessly to en-
list every worker in their organization.
They look forward eagerly to the time
when by force of numbers they shall
tako possession Of all industry, when.
by virtue Of the strength union will
give the workers there will be a day
Of reckoning FOR the bosses. AS one
Of the /. W. W. songs puts il:
In our hands is placed a power greater
than boarded gold;
Greater than the might Of armies. magnifed
a thousand fold.
We can bring TO birth the new world from
the ashes Of the old
For the Union makes US strong.