Montana labor news., 1938-09-01

NS~AN oS NAiAoAA WilASAA AISbAeS0 ~
others wounded so seriously that tn
The following letter, received by
President William Green, tells a
story of human courage and devotion
to a cause that speaks for itself:
Sheboygan, Wis, August 6, 1888.
Mr.. William Green, President,
American Federation of Labor,
Dear Sir and Brother:
Enclosed we are sending to you
several pictures taken last Sunday,
July 81, at the fourth annual mem
orial in honor of Lee Wakefield and
Henry Engelmann, killed on July
q, 1884, at Kohler, Wis, in a riot
provoked by the Kohler Company.
At this fourth memorial for our
departed brothers several hundred
members of Federal Labor Union
1885 marched in a silent picket line
past the offices and plant of the
Kohler Company and then marched
to the picket camp where a short
memorial service was held. General
Organizer David Sigman delivered
an outstanding memorial address at
the picket camp.
This silent memorial picket line
consisted Of only actual Kohler strik-
ers, with the exception of several
relatives of our slain brothers.
The memorial picket line was
headed by the four-year-old daugh-
ter of Henry Engelmann and the
parents of Lee Wakefield.
-Four years after" finds our men,
bers still loyal and more than ever
determined to win this struggle
against industrial %autocracy.
We are proud to be members of
the A. F. Of L. and will win this great
fight no matter how long it may
take.
We are certain that no rival group
anywhere ever did, or will, carry on
a struggle for years like our A. F.
of L. union did.
The members of Federal Labor
Union 1885, with the support of the
American Federation of Labor and
the Wisconsin State Federation of
Labor, are awaiting the day Of final
victory, a victory that no CLIO union
anywhere would fight for years to
achieve.
The Kohler Company is feeling
the effects of a nationwide fight
against their unfair products. Kohler
warehouses and branch offices
throughout the land were picketed
last Sunday at the same time our
memorial was held at home.
The radio station VIGIL in Chi
cago broadcast a memorial service
in honor of our dead brothers.
A telling blow in our behalf was
struck by your circular letter of May
II, 1888. Since that time Kohler has
indicated that a termination of the
strike would be a great relief.
About two months ago, through
the medium of third parties, Kohler
began to angle for a possible settle
ment.
A conference between the repre-
sentatives of our union and the
Kohler Company was arranged for
August 10. Several officials of the
Wisconsin Labor Board were quite
active in bringing this scheduled
conference about. Our union will,
of course, have the advice and as
sistance of President Henry Oil, Jr.
wisconsin State Federation of La
bor) in this matter. It will be our
duty to keep you fully informed.
The members of 1885 will accept
none of these so-called settlements
the CLIO is making all over the coun-
try, but will fight on to victory and
will thereafter set out to build one
of the best unions in the A. F. of L.
Again we thank you, President
Green, for your help and knowing
that the same help will be ours in
the future, we remain with best
wishes,
FEDERAL LABOR UNION No.
18545, Charles Heymanns, Pres