by Steve Rossignol

One of Ralph Chaplin's memorable images (Solidarity, May 19, 1917 )

Solidarity was the largest circulation English language publication of the IWW. It was founded by locals of the IWW in the Pittsburgh region and initially was based in New Castle, Pennsylvania. A M. Stirton served as the first editor and C. H. McCarty as business manager and later as managing editor. In 1911, co-publisher B. H. Williams became managing editor and the paper was named as the official organ of the Pittsburgh union district of the IWW.

After flooding destroyed the paper supply at the New Castle office, the paper moved to Cleveland, Ohio, with the April 19, 1913 issue, with B. H. Williams continuing as managing editor. There it was billed as the “eastern organ of the Industrial Workers of the World.” It became the official organ of the IWW with the March 14, 1914 issue.

Beginning March 10, 1917, the newspaper moved to Chicago, continuing as the official publication of the IWW. Managing editor B.H. Williams, who had maintained the paper for the previous seven years, turned over the editorship to fabled Wobbly Ralph Chaplin.

While the Industrial Worker, based in Spokane and Seattle, became the western voice of the IWW, Solidarity primarily served midwestern and eastern states although copies circulated everywhere. Solidarity demonstrated the best of the IWW's propaganda skills as songs and art that have become emblematic of the IWW, many of them written and drawn by Ralph Chaplin, first appeared on its pages.

This collection of Solidarity was scanned from microfilm by Steve Rossignol; the file naming protocol and the more digitally-presentable copy was made by Marty Goodman of the Rizanov Project.