The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1919-09-19

conclusion as TO remedy IOr tHlS
unrest.
We venture to suggest, Mr. Presi-
dent, that your attitude upon these
burning questions will determine, in
a very large measure, what degree
of confidence is placed in your ad-
vocacy of other measures.
Suppression and the methods en-
ployed under the Emergency War
Measures coupled with the inhuman
and brutal treatment of those con-
victed and imprisoned, is a cause OF
the extreme bitterness expressed by
the workers in their demonstration
of unrest
Under the war measures passed by
Congress, a great number of work
ers have been thrown into prison
and subjected, not only to the bru-
talizing influence of confinement,
but in many cases to most inhuman
and uncivilized methods of treat
ment as well. Their only offense
has been to insist upon rights guar
anteed them by the constitution OF
the United States; the rights to meet
and discuss any and all matters af-
fecting them and their countrys
welfare, and to publish their views
concerning these things.
During the war the lumber barons
need, attempted to raise the price of
aeroplane spruce from $40 to nearly
5000 a thousand feet. They defied
the President of the United States,
the National Council of Defense, the
State Council of Defense, the Gov
ernor of this State, and public sem
timent throughout the whole nation
in their attitude upon the basic
eight hour work day and thus very
! ~ 1f
ficiency in prosecuting the war.
Charges have also been made of
lighter weight duck being stamped
10 or, and officials of minute men
hushing the matter up.
However, the claim that there is
one law for the rich and another for
the poor gains color when it is rec
ognized that Hulet NJ. Wells, former
President of our Central Labor
Council, and a most highly esteemed
citizen and worker for righteousness,
together with others, was arrested
for his opinions regarding war and
today is being tortured in the name
of this great democracy while rob-
ber lumbermen and other. profiteers
and eXploiters of our sorrows, wal
| low in luxuries.
Hulet M. Wells, who is a clerical
hlulli Nol htu lldl dG NlC4NCll iSl-
and penitentiary, saving wood with
out complaint. until his health began
| to break, whereupon he requested
the warden TO give him lighter work.
After waiting four days for a reply,
he found it necessary to refuse to
perform the work so untitled to him.
For this refusal Hulet M. Wells was
manacled to the bars with his hands
above his head, eight hours day
for fourteen days. with only water
and Ia ounces of bread each day,
upon which to subsist.
We attach hereto two reports of
DIR. Joseph Lane, of Seattle. who Wis
| tied Mr.. Wells at the direction of
the Central Labor Council DR.. Lane
was for four years prison surgeon at
| Walla Walla penitentiary, and his
statements should carry weight.
According to reports. the treat
ment accorded Wells is that which Is
| meted out generally in other locali-
ties to political prisoners at the least
excuse. We would call your atten-
tion to the fact that thousands of
| political prisoners have been releas-
ed in European countries and we
would ask how long it will be before
| you. Mr.. President, will use the pow
er vested in you to grant amnesty to
| political prisoners within our bor-
ders. If such action is safe in mon
archical countries, what have we to
| fear from the same course in a
democracy?
Not one instance has come to our
attention of the conviction, nor even
the prosecution of one allen enemy,
as spy or for any act of high trea-
son, under the emergency war meas
ures passed by Congress for that
purpose and under which these men
were convicted. We demand release
of all political prisoners.
The recent double murder in
Breckenridge, Pennsylvania, of a
Mr.. Sterzeleski, an aged mine work
er, and Mrs. Fannie Sellins, an or
ganizer for the United Mine Work
ers, at the direction of mine SUI
perintendent and the brutal sup
preston of the steel workers in the
same State, resulting in the death of
seven members of the steel workers
unions, some of them organizers,
demonstrates that there is no change
in the bloody methods of unscrupu-
lous employers since the winning of
the war for freedom and democracy.
and that they continue to violate the
laws with impunity.
The threatened deportation of
friendly Hindus (Which may be the
to free their millions of fellows, is
also arousing suspicion and great
indignation among our people, espe-
cially when they view the same agi-
tation to free a much smaller group
from the same yoke, smiled upon
and encouraged.
Another diabolical crime being
perpetrated and which is agitating
the minds of our people, is the con-
tinued persecution of Tom Mooney,
and others included in the frame-up
in San Francisco. This also creates
bitterness in the minds of our peo-
pie, causing them to lose all hope of
finding relief in constituted author
ity and is. turning their thoughts to
other methods.
The persistent and pernicious at
tempt of certain interests TO involve
the United States in a war with Mex
leo should also be mentioned. La
boris feeling in this connection is
we'll expressed in a resolution passed
by the Soldiers and Sailors organiz-
alton of Seattle, and endorsed by the
Seattle Central Labor Council, a
COPY of which is hereto attached.
The continued presence of Amer
ican troops in Russia, is looked upon
as a blow at Russias right to work
out her own problems in her own
way, a flagrant violation of the
principle of self-determination. The
workers demand that we respect
this right of self lf-determination, for