The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-09-05
GENERAL STRIKE
[Continued From PAGE One.1

work for Uncle Sam if he takes over
the industries, but we don't want to
work for Harry for nothing.
1T is time that we get down to
business and try TO convince the men
on the other side of the matter that
this is purely business proposition.
We propose to settle any controversy
as business proposition
Il have been in the city for five
weeks. At my first meeting / ad-
monished you against taking any indie
pendent action. The machinery of the
government Is such that the situation
in Richmond could be adjusted with
out single man or woman losing a
days work unless the responsibility
OF the loss lay upon the employer. So
far that is true. l do not know how
long we can keep that up.
Urges Industrial Democracy.
Before I say any more. 1 wish to
say that there are about forty-fve
spies here tonight and l wish to say
to you to go back to your master and
If you ever told the truth tell it to-
night. Tell just what was said and
done at this meeting. But be sure and
get your thirty pieces of silver If
You don't you will be scabbing on the
job as they are hiring you to do the
work. And then after you have done
what you could do to keep men and
women from getting decent wages for
Gods sake go out and do what Judas
did-hang yourselves, finish the job
The employers have said that there
iE no dissatisfaction in Richmond;
that you are all happily contented and
that If Smith had not made his fire
eating speeches there would be no
need for war department representa-
tives in Richmond
Il have advised you not to take any
Independent action and to keep the
government production going just as
long as there was any hope of the
government making any redress for
the wrongs you have suffered in Rich
mond
Representatives of the Metal
Trades association have told the man
ufacturers that they do not have to
settle with the Bureau of Labor.
There is no difference between
that fellow and Bill Haywood except
that one makes the pauper row and
the other makes millionaire row. |
predict that since Bill Haywood has
been sentenced to the penitentiary the
time is coming when the millionaire
/. w. w. will be hitting the same trail
down to Leavenworth.
THE employers in Richmond do not
seem to realize that there is change
since we have entered this world war
for freedom. Democracy becomes a
meaningless term in a country where
men and women are denied their in
herited right to belong to an associa-
ton along with their fellow employees
for their protection and that of their
employee.
The industry that does not grant a
living wage, reasonable working hours
and a decent wage is a detriment to
any community, in which it is located.
1t produces human bankrupts. it de-
generates the race and society itself
ought to be willing to put that kind of
industry out of business.
Want Eight-Hour Day.
"The labor movement makes mis-
takes just as the employers make mis-
takes. The only mistake you have
made in Richmond is that you did not
tumble to yourselves twenty years ago
and organize yourselves as the en-
ployers have done.
I'VE only want what the employers
have so graciously taken to them
selves. We demand a basic eight
hour working day with with time and
one-half for overtime. The govern
ment says that it what men and wom-
en- of labor should have. Always put
yourself in a position to be with Uncle
Sam Right or wrong stand by him.
Employers of labor in Richmond
imagine that they have been able to
run a corner on patriotism.
BE willing to give fair days work
for a fair days pay but be sure that
you get it. The government gives
man or woman the unrestricted right
to belong to labor union or organi-
cation. The president of the United
States has said that every patriotic
employer should stand by the decision
of the War Labor Board. We have
appealed to the War Labor Board If
the employers had been fair the mat
ter could have been settled when the
government representative was here.
The employers of Richmond diplo-
matically told Mr. Feick to go to hell.
THE labor movement has unanim-
ously agreed to abide by the decision
of the War Labor Board. The War