The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1932-08-26
CAN YOU
HEAR THEIR
~ H
INTERNATIONAL " =
PAMPHLETS) - - - ~

forced Purcell to give us milk.
Those men learned something But
you've got to be doubly careful
today not to use your guns unless
somebody starts shooting at you
first. I'll tell you why. We're
starving. But they don't want to
give us food. They give us food
only to keep us quiet. You men
with guns are the leaders in forcing
them to give us food. Because
they're afraid of guns. But they'll
kill you if some of you keep on
fighting. They'll kill you, because
you're outnumbered. And when you
are dead, Purcell and the rest will
be boss here, and your babies will
be just as hungry, but therell be
nobody to get them food. The
time is not quite ripe for shooting.
Do you understand"
"Yes.'
1--WE can threaten them today,
we can force them, we may even
have to shoot, but don't fire gun
if you can help it. Not todayI
Nov, the cars with guns in the
lead! Let's go!"
The grating of thirty gears, Slip
ping from first to second, to high.
ARE YOU
REALLY HUNGRY"
II don't see how he can possibly
claim to be starving" said Lily
Purcell to the Red Cross super
visor: (The milk Frances did not
buyD Ills baby died two days ago,
and nobody knows where his wife
isl"
well, at least he can't have any
milk. That settles that right off"
Frank Frances had not gone to
the meeting. He was one of the
first outside the relief store doors
when they opened. For fifteen Minis
utes he had been attempting to es-
tablish his status as a starving
man. Meanwhile the line grew be-
hind him, at first grumbling, then
shouting, Give him something's"
"This is no way to begin" The
supervisor scanned their heads dis
approvingly. TOO many eye SOCK
ets!" he thought. He was unwilling
to cede ground at once, and would
not give Lily Purcell the order, ''Let
him have some bread"
Suddenly there was a shout from
the edge of the crowd. They're
comingl They're coming!"
From the west the line of thirty
cars swept into the town, two
abreast. They stopped in the middle
of the street. The men. and women
got out, the men with their guns,
the women with their babies.
The crowd opened for thirteen
men with guns. Nov we'll get
some food!"
Wardell and Davis stopped where
Frances stood suspended in an act
of appeal. Lily Purcell and her SUI
pervisor stared.
Shays, Doscher, Drdla, staring
back over the ends of their guns,
which they rested on the floor.
Mrs. Wiggens with a baby in her
arms had pressed to the front.
eyes, what are you going to give
us?" asked Mrs. Wiggens.
What are you going to give us?"
said Davis.
II don't know that we're going
to give you anything. At least until
you put those guns down." he said,
tonguing his lips that were like
earthworms that have been out too
long in the rain.
Give that man some bread"
said Wardell.
II don't think he deserves any.
And I'm not taking orders here,
I'm giving them!"
Several men laughed.
"And you, Lily, give Mrs. Wiggens
some flour"
"She certainly don't need any.
know her we'll She's regular
trouble maker" She appealed to
the Red Cross knight.
Give her some flour!"
Don't give her flour!" said the
supervisor. "These people are not
ready for relief. They don't know
how to take it. This place is closed!
Get out!"
Take it. men," said Wardell.
Don't hurt anybody. See that ev-
erybody gets bag, Mrs. Wiggens."
"Ohl Obi They're stealing our
flour! They're stealing our flour!"
Lily continued to scream until the
store was stripped and empty. Mrs.
Wiggens, who had been passing out
the bags, was the last to leave. AS
she took up her own bag, Lily
tried to stop her.