The daily worker., 1924-07-14


steel workers and miners Of
Cape Breton last July paints
Murdoch in even blacker colors
than his conduct during the
postal strike does.
The steel workers of Sydney, N.
S., struck on June 9th last year to
force the British Empire Steel Cor
poration to grant them a 20 percent
increase in wages, an eight-hour day,
recognition of their union, and the
check off collection of union dues. The
corporation which dominates not
only the city Of Sydney, but the en-
tire province, used the local police
force to prevent the steel workers
from picketing, and because the work
ers insisted on picketing the chief
of police and a Judge were prevailed
upon to send in an application for
troops to preserve "law and order"
and protect private property"
StrIkebreakers With Lewis.
The Liberal government at Ottawa
sent the troops, of course, but the Lii
beral government of Armstrong in
Nova Scotia not to be outdone in its
loyalty to the corporation send down
force Of waterfront rats dressed I'M
uniform and dubbed Provincial Po-
lice" With the aid of these state
troops, and the strikebreaking activi-
ties of John L. Lewis of the United
Mine Workers who deposed the Off
GERS Of the miners and cancelled the
district charter, the strike was final
ly crushed.
The federal government sent so
many thousand troops to Nova Scotia
during this strike that some members.
Of the government were afraid that it
would create bad impression on the
workers. Murdoch was one Of these.
He did not oppose sending the troops,
but was anxious that they should be
sent in such a manner that the work
ers of the rest of the country would
not protest this action of the govern
ment by striking. The miners of
Nova Scotia send appeals to the min
ers Of Alberta to strike in sympathy
with them against the use of troops
against workers on strike.
Cancel Strikers Charters.
The rank and file of the miners of
that district were undoubtedly favor
able to such strike, and in Drum
heller Valley strike was declared.
But Sherman, president of the dis
trict, understood his duty to the capi-
tallsts that he opposed a strike. He
succeeded in getting the district ex-
ecutive to vote against the strike, and
cancelled the charters of the locals
in Drumheller which hSd struck.
Sherman was so afraid that the min
ers would strike in spite of him that
he sent telegram to Murdoch tell
ing him of the critical situation and
stating that the membership will not
be controlled by the district officials
Of this organization unless immediate
steps are taken to improve serious
situation now existing in Nova
Scotia"
He Didn't Tell.
Murdoch sent this information to
Armstrong at Halifax and he was of
the opinion that steps should be TAX
en- to inform the public" as to the
serious situation. To this Murdoch
replied: ain my Judgment, II labor
generally thruout Canada knew the
real causes of the present Industrial
trouble and the facts Sin connection
with the calling of the troops to Cape
Breton, labor generally from coast to
coast would be In much greater re-
helIlon." Thus this creature formerly
an official Of the Brotherhood of Rail
way Trainmen and given the position
of Minister Of Labor by the Liberal
party because of his services to the
party and the fact that it was neces-
sary to secure safe and sane" labor
skate for the job OF minister of labor,
shows that he knew that the workers
of Cape Breton were justified in strik-
ing yet he was so loyal to the bosses
that he f1nhaId fha ooffox. - A. - 49,.