The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1917-02-16
SEATTLE PRESS TRIES
TO AROUSE PREJUDICE
AGAINST THE |. w. w.
by Charles Ashleigh)

was the work of the l. w. w. A lit
tie explosion was noted on the roof
of the building in which is the office
Of the Waterfront Employers Union,
an open-shop organization on the wa
terfront. 1t seems that the "explos-
ion" was probably caused by fire.
cracker thrown out of the window of
a neighboring building. The papers
reported Mr.. Wollen, assistant man.
ager of the Employers Union, and
the police, as attributing the affair
to the l. w. W. and other "dis-
gruntled"-by which they mean class
conscious-water-front workers.
Papers Convicted of Lying
A representative of the labor press
was Immediately sent out to investi-
gate the truth of the matter and it
turned out that the bosses sheets of
Seattle had been spinning some of
their usual wholecloth. Manager
Becker, of the Waterfront Employers,
said, referring to the press stories
You may quote me as saying the
stories are bunk!" Assistant Mana
ger Wollen, whom the papers credit
with the statement that the "out-
rage" was perpetrated by the Indus
trial Workers, said: 81 never said
anything about an attempt on my
life. l said the whole thing was a
Chinese New Years joke and laugh
ed it off," Chief of Police Becking-
ham said he knew nothing about any
police theory connecting it with the
workers. 1.-THE papers will say any
thing to arouse prejudice against the
l. W. W., said the Chief.
The Men in Jail are Staunch
Yet another of the boys in jail in
Everett has been operated upon for
appendicitis. Young Ersson is prob
ably another victim to the unhealthy
diet of the Jail. Attempts have been
made to improve the conditions in the
prison by the new Sheriff, Mr.. Nc
Culloch, but things are by no means
yet ideal. This is mainly owing to
the stingy appropriations of the coun-
ty, which is not averse to spending
thousands for gunner and Pinker-
tons to beat up and shoot working
men, but grudge every penny for
feeding them. But the boys are not
making much complaint. In fact.
they are denying themselves, by re-
fusing many small comforts from
the outside. "Put the money in the
defense fund.-" they say cor spend
it on organization or educational
work." when visitors offer to send
them some small dainties.
What About You?
Such is the stalwart and loyal
spirit of these boys who have been
cooped up in this foul, over-crowded
prison for three months and who are
facing the risk of lifelong imprison-
ment. If they can show this splen-
did spirit of class-loyalty, what about
YOU on the outside? Surely there
is something you can do to help in
the defense of these "a men who will
be made the victims of the Lumber
Trust, because they were true to our
class, unless YOU decide to come
to their aid.
There is not much time before the
trial. The men have chosen to be
tried separately and the first case
is that of Thomas Tracy, which will
come up for trial on March 9Th.
Upon the result of Tracy's trial de-
ponds that of all the others. The
workers in many cities are planning
a great nationwide protest meeting
for Sunday, March 4th. Workers in
all localities should fall in line and
organize mass meetings for that
date. Information and explanatory
literature can be obtained from the
| Defense Committee.
| Funds are also urgently needed.
The bosses are straining every nerve
to railroad these workingmen be-
cause they fought for Free Speech
for Labor. Shall we let the thugs
of the Open-Shot gang beat us?
Workers, it is up to you to decide.
Send all contributions to Herbert
Mailer, Sec.-Treas., Everett Prison
ers' Defense Committee, Box 1878,
Seattle, Wash.
Protests and resolutions should be
sent to President Wilson and to Gov
ernor Lister, Olympia, Wash. Send
demands to your congressman and
senators for a Congressional investi-
cation into the tragedy of Everett
Nov. 9Th. ACT NOW!
Judge j. T. Ronald granted change
of venue in the |. w. w. cases to
/ naDor+roou4 q of Wv. Co,,n+,x C,aox