The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1930-08-19
By EDNA NELSON.

Editorial Note This very interesting
story from the Australian struggle is of
special import to the Unemployed Councils
of this country. In Australia the Unem-
pIoyed Workers Movement has made it
part of it's task to defend unemployed work
ers from eviction and from having their
gas and electricity cut off. This is the bust
ness of the Unemployed Councils III this
country as we'll So far it has hardly been
taekled)
As the small blonde man reached certain
house i'm Silver St., he took long, last
puff at his Cigarette, then threw it to the
pavement and stamped on it. Leisurely he
strobe into the front garden, up the steps and
knocked at the door.
Presently it was opened by frail little
women, obviously workers wife. She bore
the traces of strain and anxiety and insuff-
cient rest. The man lifted his hat: "Have
you got the money for your gas bill this
morning, Mrs. Robinson? Otherwise l will
have to cut off the gas"
y From behind Mrs. Robinson big male form
appeared. 1t was easy to see that he pur-
posely wore an air of disinterest in the pro-
ceedngs as he slowly opened the door wide
enough to permit of his walking past the
woman out on to the verandah. He sat on
the edge fthe verandah, dangling his legs
over the railing, and hummed q few bars OF
the "Internatonal.' Then he called to some
one inside: "Hey, Bert and Jim, better come
out here"
The collector for the gas company, who had
continued informing Mrs. Robinson Of his UNI
pleasant duty, became uneasy on hearing this;
and his feelings were not quoted as two more
hefties made their appearance and stepped on
to the verandah.
The enthusiast who had continued with his
rendering of the "Internatonap now straight
ened up and turned sharply toward the gas
man. He was big, broad shouldered fellow
his eyes shone, his actions were alert in spite
of the fact that he showed no signs of pros
perity on that huge but lean and ill-clad body.
"You think you're going to cut off the gas
here" he began, "but l want to tell you. dig
ger, that you're making boomer"
The gas man demonstrated "If you dare to
interfere in nv work / have right to cali
the police" he asserted.
"You just try to call the police and it'll be
damn long time before you can call any
thing again." menaced the broad one. Nov,
how in hell do you think Mrs. Robinson is
going to feed her kids on rice and water if
you cut off her gas? Anyway, no use argu-
ing about it. The gas stays on
that the collector was making up his mind to
beat judicous retreat no doubt to call again
at more favorable opportunity.
"Ill just have to report this" he began.
"Oh, no, you WON'T" came the answer
quickly eve haven't finished with you yet.
don't know whether you have heard of the
Unemployed Workers Movement" He nodded
towards his companions. "Us fellers are in
it and one Of our jobs is to stop blokes like
you from cutting off the gas and light on
anyone in this district. You see, we have
branch in every suburb" he explained with
enthusiasm. eve picket houses to stop evic-
tons and this idea of keeping light and gas
on for the unemployed is only one of many
new stunts. Well have them delivering our
tucker right On to the doorstep yet-in short,
we unemployed aim to enjoy the benefits Of
civilization. Just because the bloody bosses
reckon they can't give us job is no reason
why we should have to starve in the midst of
plenty. And you work for the gas company,
Ell? You might lose your job any day and
then they'd cut your gas off,"
"Cut out the windbagging, Bill" growed
one of his colleagues, who happened to be Mr..
Robinson.
"Don't get impatient, comrade," replied
Bill, calmly. 1--WE ought to explain the situa-
ton to our fellow workers. Why, this COM
rade might be prepared to join our study
class SOS he can take his place in the ranks
of the revolutionary workers."
a am on the side of the workers." declared
the&smsll man. II belong to the Australian
Labor Party"
cha! knew we'd find something in COM