davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15

legal. One phase of the anti-la.
Dor legislation was successful
providing for the use of the Ore
gOn state police in strikes.
State Cossacks
The ruling class, in removing
the legal restrictions against the
participation of the state police
in industrial disputes, has DEM
onstrated it's open treachery to.
ward the working class. In 1890
when the state police were FORM
ed, it was only with the conces-
sion forced by labor that they
would not be a trike-breaking
body of Cossacks.
Piously the advocates of the
state police declared that never
should the noble troopers be call
ed out against striking workers
The Oregon legislature has taken
care of that safeguard, and an
appropriation of $685. 900 for their
maintenance ensurse industrial.
lists of ready assistance in time
OF strikes.
Another measure, already en-
acted and put into operation,
brushes still more the rights of
workers when on trial in capt.
talist courts. A"jury commits
sioner" bill was introduced, pro-
viding that one man be appoint
ed by Circuit Court Judges in
Multnomah county to pass on all
prospective jurors-in short, to
hand7pick the men and women
who are to convict or acquit the
defendant. The bill was a little
too raw" so a substitute bill
was provided which does away
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Seamen Strike for
Union Recognition
On ISthmian Line

PORTLAND, March IA Mem
bers of the international Sea
mems Union struck the steamer
Steel Trader of the Isthmian line
from New York, locked at Ter
minal l. Seamen, assisted by
members Of the international
Longshoremen's Association, de-
clared that the ship would not
move until the company reeOg-
nizes the union on the East and
West Coasts. ISU and lila MEM
bers are maintaining a strong
picket line.
The Steel Trader left New
York with a crew of some union
men but mostly thinks" hired off
the docks. When it arrived in
Portland the union men struck
and started a picket line, fore
ing the "finks" to stay off.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Drive Linked to
Syndicalisrn Cases

he urged the audience to attend
street meeting for the purpose
of "practicing revolutionary tao
tics"
Against Edward Denny the
state presented the pittiful ar
ray of evidence: a gavel used by
Denny as chairman of the as
semblage; the agenda of the
meeting on which some notes
meaningless scribblt e-appear-
ed; and the testimon! abricated
by the not very intensive States
witnesses that he opened the
meeting with the statement:
This meeting is called in def
ance of the local authorities"
But the convictions were made
possible by the use of hysterical
accusations by the prosecution
regarding the workers active
support of the strike, and by
driving at working class litera-
ture from the Manifesto" writ
ten by Mari in 1S47, to recent
issues of the workers press. The
forces of reaction, in the courts,
in the legislature, and in the Ma
tional Congress, know that it is
not only the freedom of De Jonge
and Denny and Pugh that is at
stake. The basic rights of labor,
to organize, to strike and to po-
litical participation, are being
fought for in the criminal syndi-
calism cases in Oregon and Calf
nrnfa
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15

in the industry, a tremendous re-
ductiOn of the lumber workers
living standards has taken effect.
Speed-up, lengthening of hours,
Bedaux system, gross discrimina.
ton and blacklisting. of militant
workers has taken place.
During the past five years of
the crisis the NLWU has militant
ly organized and struggled for the
lumber workers own demands.
1t was the only union in the field
that correctly analysed the NRA
and forewarned the lumber work
ers what effects it would have on
them. Because of this militant
stand, the lumber operators, the
police and the government
launched especial terror against
our union so as to keep the work
ers from becoming members and
to stifle our union from becoming
a mass union.
At the same time thousands of
workers were forced to Join the
company Al union. The AFL I'M
ions was the next choice of the
workers; but the class collabor-
alton policy of the leadership
favored the interests of the OPP
orators. Very little resistance was
put up against the terrible eff
fects of the NRA.
The International Single
Weavers Union during this peri
cd adopted a vertical program
due to the membership realizing
the necessity of organizing the en-
tire industry to protect working
conditions and wages.
Therefore, it is not the fault
of the NLWU that several unions
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Kairis To ExpOund
Patriotism"
BY a Worker Correspondent

ROSLYN, Wash, March IA
Milton Kairis, militant young
leader of the mine workers and
unemployed youth, has been
chosen to edit the Easton high
school annual. The theme of the
annual is Patriotism" viii Mil
ton, as editor, expose the kind of
patriotism that uses beatings,
murder, gas and frame-up jail
sentences against workers who
fight for the right to organize in
unions of their choice? If he does,
will he become another of our
removed student editors?
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Many Anti-Labor
Bills Defeated

SALEM, Ore, March 1.-THE
Oregon legislature, just ending
it's session, has, like the National
Congress and like state legislat-
ures thruohout the country, CIV
en- sharper expression to the
aims and purposes of the GRIMM
al syndicalism frame-ups in Ore
gon and California. A deluge of
measures, aiming deliberate and
vicious blows at the working
class-at it's political rights and
it's rights to organize and strike,
poured into both Senate and
House hoppers.
Some of these measures were
defeated by the protests of Ia
Dor and the real forces of pro-
grss. Others were not, and the
forces of reaction, allying behind
organized industry and COM
merce, and dashed to activity by
the organizers and mouth-pieces
of fascism, such as Hearst, Amer
lean Legion leaders, McFadden,
and lesser satellites throughout
the country, are using every
means to legislate out of exist
ence organized militancy Of la
Dor.
Wealth, as represented by the
Chamber of Commerce and its
armed vigilante organizations,
showed its blood-thirsty teeth
during and after the strike Of
maritime workers, in Oregon ar
resting scores Of workers in mass
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15

'Office, taking possession OF II for
nearly 80 hours ON one occasion.
Recently a torchlight parade
three blocks in length was held
ut which the New Deal was burn
ed in effigy and workers slogans
shouted.
The union has forced the city
and county to pay rs per cent OF
the light and water bill OF all un-,
employed families and the Wash
ington Water Power Co. to charge
the rest,
The organization has eight
strong locals in North Idaho. The
Miners Union of kellogg is af-
filiated There are at least 1000
memberse and the Voice OF Ac-
tion is the official organ of the
union.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Reactonary Measures Mark Oregon Legislative Session

raids in working class headquar-
tiers and homes, and indicting for
alleged criminal syndicalism and
sabotage nine Oregon workers.
Four of these workers have
been convicted: Don Cluster, pa
rolled from a years sentence;
Dirk De Jonge, sentenced to sew
en- yeasr; Edward Denny sentenc-
ed to two years, and Kyle Pugh
of Medford, sentenced to five
years. The cases of De Jonge,
Denny and Pugh, being appealed
by the working class under the
leadership of the International
Labor Defense, are a part of the
battle of labor to halt the march
of organizing faseism as it tram
pies civil rights and liberties I'M
derfoot on the way to bigger
profits.
How determined and how
open that fascist march is, has
been shown by the record Of the
last Oreon legislative session.
Senate Bill 1872, which passed
the Senate, would force all pub
lie employees, elective and ap-
pointive, to take an oath of al
legianee. 1t is similar in pur-
pose and form to gag" laws en-
acted in various other states,
strangling political expression
and organization. The proud ia
Their of the measure, Senator
Wallace, withdrew two other
bills, HB "a, and HB IS, when he
presented Oregon with his gag
law These two measures, In step
with legislation in various other
states and in Congress, would
have outlawed from the ballot
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Idaho Jobess Win Official Representation Relief Boar
New Fascist Groups

TACOMA. March li-At the
first meeting of the Anglo Sax
on Federation of America" a new
fascist group, a Tacoma worker
challenged certain vicious SLAM
ders of Soviet Russia and the
Communist program, stating that
he spoke ''as a member OF the
Communist Party" and thereby
giving the speaker the filters,
This not only had a good ef-
feet that night, but in fear of
other corrections, the speaker
abandoned the subject advertis-
ed for next evening, Are We
Headed Toward Communism
for a muddled discourse on re-
ligiOn. Whereupon the same
worker asked permission to read
the fundamental law of Soviet
Russia guaranteeing religious
freedom. Being denied the right,
he urged all the audience to at
tend Anna Louise Strong's meet
ing the next night, "and hear the
truth which is being suppressed
here"
Many came, and helped make
up a crowd that packed the lOOF
hall. This "Anglo-SaXon Fedora
ton" is new but dangerous, and
has a smell that strongly sug-
gests Huey Long. This particular
speaker, one Howard b. Rand, Is
fluent, a great boaster, and cas-
lily upset and exposed. His audi
enCes are small.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15

amy political party or candid.
ate" who advocated overthrow of
the existing order.
MIRA Sabotage"
Another silly measure, intro
dueed by Representative Rank
in, and withdrawn when workers
and farmers showed their disap-
proval, would have amended the
criminal syndicalism law so as to
re-define sabotage"
Sabotage" as at present de-
fined by Oregon statute, places
the New Deal in an embarrassing
.position-as an open violation of
the law. Workers and farmers
of America have witnessed, since
the beginning of the New Deal,
with its destruction of crops and
foodstuffs more sabotage" even
as technically defined, than the
combined red squads could dis.
cover in the working class from
now on.
Rankin's gracefully withdrawn
measure would have restricted
the term to destruction of pro-
perry to accomplish Industrial
or political change or revolu-
ton"
The climax of reactionary fren-
zy was reached in the introduce
ton of series of measures that
made no effort to conceal their
purpose: the strangling of Or
ganized labor. These measures
holly debated before going down
to defeat by narrow margin
would have made arbitration
compulsory; placed control of all
Governor; made picketing dur
ing the first 80 days of a strike H.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15

are in the field. In 1929 no union
was actually attempting to unity
the forces OF the lumber work
ers. Thus, from sheer necessity,
the National Lumber Workers
Union was born.
The rank OF the lumber work
ers are divided and a large por-
ton of them totally unorganized.
Because of the divided forces the
field has been left quite open for
the operators to freely increase
their profits at the expense of
the lumber workers. With the
fast disillusionment of the work
ers with the NRA, their desire for
organization is increasing. We
are looking forward to the real
ization of one union in the lum-
Der industry. The ever-increasing
dangers of speed-up and over
time could be eliminated. A
standard wage scale could be re-
cognized.
From this point of view the
National Committee is issuing let
tiers to all of it's locals, to all I'M
ions and the rank and file men,
bership of the company Al union
to discuss and adopt the propos-
ais made at its meeting:
|. That a conference OF all AFL,
Independent, NLWU and men,
bership of Al be called for April
q.
2. That this conference discuss
the formation of a higher wage
scale and the possibility OF ANAL
gamation of the unions in the in
dustry, and lay the organizational
basis for the complete amalgama-
ton of the unions.
Murphy to Tour
The NLWU secretary will make
a tour throughout the entire
Northwest, holding mass meet
ings to acquaint lumber work
ers with this important measure.
Thousands of calls will be gotten
out and sent to all organizations.
The NEG wishes to state the
complete material will be out
soon with more detailed inform
action concerning the amalgama-
tion and organization of the lum-
Der workers.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15

with the necessity for paying a
special commissioner, but still
retains many of the manipulating
features, providing for prelimin-
airy examination of prospective
members of jury panels. Anyone
who has watched the choosing of
"a jury-the desperation with
which workers defense counsel
has to fight to get semblance
of an impartial jury--can real
lie what the measure means. Al
so, to further insure the carrying
out of the industrialists' will in
the courtroom, a measure has
been enacted providing that Cir
cult judges may comment on ev-
idence.
In the criminal syndicalism
charges against the nine Oregon
workers, the vindictiveness of the
employers, calling themselves the
State of Oregon" has struck
out at two issues: the activities
of the defendants in support of
the maritime strike last sum-
mer, and literature-pamphlets
and papers-of the working class.
No Evidence
The police and their volunteer
vigilante assistants did not even
bother to manufacture much
concrete evidence against the de-
PENDANTS. Against Dirk De Jonge,
the state presented a leaflet
which called the mass meeting
for which conducting and assist
ing in conducting" he was indict-
ed; and the lie concoeted by the
labor unions in the hands of the
States vigilante witnesses that
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15

have handled 81 million dollars
of state and federal funds, money
that was to have been for the
unemployed. But less than half
of it went to those for whom it
was intended.
A working class mother COM
mitted suicide a few weeks ago
because her family was to be
evicted. Hundreds of workers
have been arrested and dubbed
for protesting against their meas
ly measure.
NOTE: We print the above
article principally because of the
sell-Out of last weeks paper con-
tanning early details of the $780,
100000 relief money steal-Ed.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Win Doctor, Diet,
Clothing for Aged

EVERETT, Wash, March. Il-A
committee from the Unemploy-
ment Council recently came to
the aid of an aged man who had
been sick. The county had sent a
doctor who had only insulted
him. Upon investigation, the
committee found that the old
couple had no wood, no clothes
and only some secondhand shoes.
They were receiving $40 a month
from the relief.
The committee secured a doe
tor, special diet, two pairs OF
shoes, stockings and underwear.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
New Unemployed Local

SEATTLE, March 14-A sue
cessful meeting of the unemplOy-
ed was held in the ArbOr Heights
vicinity with Is attending the
first meeting. Grievance and en-
tertainment committees were ell
ected as well as chairman, secre-
tary and treasurer.
II. A. Berry of the Unemploy-
ed Citizens League and Mr.. Ed
wards of White Center were
speakers at the meeting.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Admits Discrimination
Against Old People

SUMNER, WASH, March IA
After a leaflet had been issued
among the unemployed protest
ing against the low level of relief
as even compared with other
towns, the relief administrator
admitted that the old people
who are on the county relief are
not allowed any commodities, but
are given only a little federal aid.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Tells How Masses Rule
In Modern Soviet Russia

More schools, Orehestras, talk
ing movies, new apartment hous-
es, new factories, are these in
structions from the people. Then
the instructions are turned over
to planners and economists whose
problem is to see that they are
quickly and efficiently put into
operation.
Thus is the will of the people
put into effect in the five year
plans.
Contrasting the iron subjuga-
tion of the people to the state
and big business in fascist coun-
tries, Miss Strong pointed out
that in Soviet Russia the state is
steadily giving up its power to
the direct rule of the people, and
will eventually wither away.
The Department OF Labor has
recently been dissolved, and its
work administered through the
trade unions-faetory inspection,
hiring and firing, and distribu-
ton of the four billion dollar an
nual old age insurance.
Today's Pioneers
The Soviets are the new pion-
GERS, Miss Strong concluded, set
ting out to conquer new worlds
of science for the benefit and hap
piness of all mankind, and look
to the time when even death will
be conquered.
They are armed, not with the
axe and yoke of oxen of last CEN
tury's pioneers, but with factor
les, laboratories and schools.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
HIGHLIGHTS OF
VERA EXPOSE
By j. s.


OLYMPIA, WASH, March IA
Behind the facts and figures we
quote below is the huge horde OF
Washington's unemployed, rob
bed and deceived by Governor
Martin and his political machine.
Hundreds of thousands slowly
starving, going without dental
and medical care, school doors
closing in their children's faces,
while Martin and his pals grow
fat from the profit they make on
human suffering.
A few of the VERA investigat-
ing committees findings were:
l. That the personnel of the
Washington Emergency Relief
Administration has been picked
largely because of political affil-
iation, relationship. friendship
and membership in various or
CARNATIONS.
2. Relationship, friendship or
political utilization were of ma
jor consideration in the making
OF purchases.
8. Records have in many in
stances been destroyed or alter
ed.
4. That projects have been set
up by the VERA for the pur-
pose OF paying the personnel of
private corporations; that there
is substantial evidence of con-
spiracy between the VERA and
various social service Organiza-
lions to continue their relief set
up for the purpose of furthering
their own interests.
5. That many instances of dis
elimination, failure to provide
relief where needed, and made
quate provision for needy fami-
lies are recorded and on file with
the committee. That the general
lebel of relief allowance is too
low and that little or no account
has been taken of INCREASED
food costs in compiling budgets.
6. No accounting has ever
been given to the public setting
forth the projects by amount
and showing just how the money
on those projects was spent.
7. Large sums of money have
been paid from welfare funds
to private attorneys and com
panies for legal services. For ex-
ample $1,000 to Spokane Eastern
Co.
8. In Whatcom county with
$36,67S allotted, only 1884 reached
the unemployed.
9. Shortages in the accounts
of the Lewis County Welfare
Board included such items as ia
pairs of shoes, 800 pounds OF
pork, 400 pounds of flour, and
over $4,000 cash.
10. Welfare officials use their
positions for personal gain. Ex-
amples: Major Osborne, welfare
executive in Tacoma, who used
enough material to build large
garage on his private property,
is now wanted for grand larceny
in Pierce County and there is at
this time a warrant outstanding
for his arrest.
Affidavits have been filed in
dicating that o. V. Sellers of
Douglas county, county commits
sioner and member of the relief
board, used relief labor on his
fruit farm for three months and
that this labor was paid with dis
bursting orders issued by the
welfare board.
A. G. st. John, head of Lewis
County's Welfare Board and OF
the st. John Motor Co. of Che
halls received $95O.6l for pur-
chase of a Ford truck. These pay
ments were concealed by having
them made out to Ted Burrows,
an employee of st. John Motor
Co., for hauling wood"
On and on this CHASTITY river of
political vice flows. We could
add sums from a few cents to mil
lions of dollars. Ernst and Martin
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15

In Connecticut the legislatures
Socialist Party representatives
from Bridgeport (home of the re-
dictionary Socialist" mayor Mac
Levy introduced a bill calling
for loyalty Oaths from teachers.
Even the Republicans felt called
upon to denounce this act.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Alaska Criminal
SundicaLisn,
.LaU Killed

JUNEAU, Alaska, March IA
Both a criminal syndicalism bill
and a sedition measure were kill
ed by the territorial House by
being postponed indefinitely. The
syndicalism bill had been intro
duced by Senator N. II. Walker
of Ketchikan.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
SPECIAL NEWS
for the
Workers
NLWU NATIONAL COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS ANAL GAMATION
Edited by JAMES MURPHY
Secretary National Lumber Workers Union

SEATTLE, March IA special national commit
tee meeting was called in Tacoma Sunday, March 10,
where the greatest and most important organizatona
step in the history of the union decided upon The
question was discussed for the amagamation OF all AFL
unions Independent and NLWU locals in the lumber in
duSrY Since the NRA Lumber Code was introduced
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
Relief Workers Protective Union
Stops EUictiOns, Forces County
To Pay Part of Light Bill
By a Worker CORRESPONDENT

COEUR D'ALENE Idaho, March i4-Unemployed
organized in the Relief Workers Protective Union have
won tremendous victories the past few months and weeks
Mattresses, wood, getting workers back relief rolls
stopping eyiconS getting three workers the Relief
Board and union man at the commodity store. The
ion has led several successful demonstrations to the relief
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
PROTEST THREATS AGAINST
HALLER AND KAIRIs

RENTON, Wash, March IA
Holding the sheriff of Kittitas
county responsible for the lives
of Mark Halter and Milton Kairis
the United Producers of Wash
ington sent a protest against the
vigilante terror being used in the
Roslyn coal fields to intimidate
militant workers.
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
The Meeting Which Is Supposed
To Haze Advocated "CriminaI
SyndicdIism and Sabotage"
BY Dawn LoVelace

The benches in the hall at the Unemployed Unity
Center filled and workers standing for lack
of sitting More than 200 men, women and child
rem had answered the call of the Communist Party to
the public, protest meeting July 27 call crcu
lated by eafe and notices in the daily papers, Edward
Denny organizer and leader of the obeSs single workers
Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-03-15
ENDANGERs CHILD's LIFE
TO EyICT TENANT

EVERETT, Wash, March A
In an attempt to evict an unem-
ployed family, a landlord plugged
the chimney to smoke out the
tenant. An 1S-month-old child al
most suffocated from the smoke