The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-04-11
Holy
Bed-Bug''

freed, and 7 did not even speak Of
our own grievances
Get out, you mutinous scoundrel!'
roared the consul like bull seeing
red. Still I would not move, I want
ed, demanded justice, And it was
not long before I got it, and howl
The consul rang the telephone and
spoke something IN Spanish, Soon
two vigtlantes came, Like beasts
they pounced on me. 7 fought back
the best I could. They beat me with
the flat of their swords and threw
me out. Here 7 am. It is no justice
We can get ashore nothing but
blows. blows. Blows and abuse when
aboard, blows and abuse when
ashore
The dies are cast!" Sharply spoke
Anders. the clear-eyed Finn There
was a tense moment, men stood up.
turned their necks and listened at
tentively. The Finn began in a clear
and moderate voice:
The workers ashore are not or
gained as yet. and they cannot help
us. I.have been through one revolu-
ton, 7 have some experience. Paul
the Lettish fellow yonder," and he
pointed toward one muscular fellow,
who, stripped to the waist was mend
ing his only shirt. has been through
the same, and perhaps more, for he
has fought on the barricades.
Il know. you know-we al know
that the workers will get no justice
while this system rulesl This sys-
TEN based upon lies, thievery, rob
berry, pillage. murder and mass MUIR
ders!"
He paused.
The captain and the consul want
us to desert the ship and leave them
our hard-earned pay, they want to
battle in our sweat and blood, But
We are not towards and shall not run
away. Though the cards are stack
ed against Us. we shall not go on
taking abuse forever neither shall
We go on with taking chances Of get
ting washed overheard,
How many sailors has the holy
Bed bug drowned in his thirty years
as master Of a ship2 On our last
passage we lost Tommy, Nels, Cock
ney Bill and the soldier How many
Of us will be washed away before
the voyage is over7"
Anders stopped speaking, he hung
his head slightly and thought for a
moment. Suddenly he Strengthened.
his face became rigid, determined,
his clear eyes showed a light Of long
smculdering fires, Of long cherished
hopes.
Thus far and no further" and the
words cut the deep silence like a
knife.
NO longer shall we take any
chances, No longer shall we send
delegates to consuls to be laughed
at, beaten up and thrown out. In
our own mighty hands We shall take
justice. ; To hell With him and the
bloody book, too! What do you say
to that, boys?"
AYE, aye" low voices. almost wllis-
pers, anXiously came from all cor
ners of the forecastle.
Now then, boys, there is another
thing" went on the Finn in slightly
subdued voice after taking a careful
look around the forecastle.
'Remenber-mm is the word.
Anyone who is not with us-is
against Us. This struggle is for life
and death. We shall take no chances.
For it is either we or they. There
is no middle ground"
Anders finished, crossed his arms
on his chest and stood like statue
Of worker. big, strong, powerful,
mighty-so mighty, there is no might
to stop him
There was slight cormotion,
Everybody got up and silently shook
hands with each other all around
Coarse, horny hands met and clasped
with a warmth and a sincerity OF
feeling that can only course through
the blood Of workers. And thus the
DAY was. sworn and another ship
will pass in the night"
TO Be Continued1