IWW Yearbook 1911

This is a database of campaigns, strikes, and labor related events as recorded in the Industrial Worker. It was researched by Nick Bragg. Start by reading his highlights report. Below that is the database.

Highlights 1911 by Nick Bragg

1911 saw the IWW leading a number of new free speech fights, along with railroad and lumber mill strikes. In addition, the Industrial Worker devoted extensive coverage to a pair of murder trials. Free speech fights were waged in Fresno, San Francisco, Kansas City, and Aberdeen in Washington State. These campaigns each started when IWW members were arrested for holding street corner meetings. Determined to defend their right to organize and the principle of free speech, the Industrial Worker put out the call for members to join each fight. IWW members responded, often traveling great distances to take their turn violating the local ordinance and joining fellow workers in jail. Many of the 1911 free speech fights ended as victories for the IWW and for free speech.

The other continuing story of the year centered on the 1910 bombing of the L.A. Times building in Los Angeles which took the lives of twenty-one people. John J. McNamara, an official in the International Association of Bridge and Structural Iron Workers Union (AFL), and his brother James were charged with the bombing. Despite the competition between the IWW and the AFL, the Industrial Worker followed the case closely. The brothers had been at large since the October 1, 1910. The L.A. Times hired a private detective, William J. Burns, to find the fugitives. Burns was able to locate the McNamara brothers and successfully extradite them from Indiana, but on questionable legal grounds. The controversy surrounding the “kidnapping” of the McNamara brothers and the subsequent trial occupied the newspaper and the IWW through much of 1911. In the end, James McNamara admitted to bombing the Times building and was sentenced to life in prison. while John admitted to another bombing and received a 15 year sentence.

[read full report/close report]

January

The main story in January was the ongoing Fresno, Calif. “Free Speech Fight,” which started in November 1910, and saw numerous IWW members thrown in jail for conducting public speaking events. Despite violating First Amendment rights, Fresno police continued to attack IWW members during public rallies and make arrests. IWW chapters all around the country rallied in support, passing resolutions against the infringement of constitutional rights and police brutality.

In total, 122 IWW members were reported to be in jail in January, many of whom had not been formally charged or allowed a trial by jury.[1] Many other street speakers had been arrested on charges of disturbing the peace or blocking roadways. Industrial Worker and Solidarity reporter Jack Whyte was among those arrested[2] Another man, James Doyle, was finally released from jail after being held for 51 days without a trial.[3]

February

IWW members and supporters started gaining ground in the Fresno “Free Speech Fight” in February. As many as 30 IWW members were released from the Fresno county jail while public rallies with IWW speakers continued largely without police interference.[4] Fresno police declared the county jail to be overpopulated, and no more IWW members were to be arrested for public speaking.[5] While the overcrowding of the Fresno jail was largely positive for the IWW, some public speakers were met with violence instead of legal action. One man was beaten and dragged three city blocks, which resulted in hospitalization.[6]

The Industrial Worker reported in February that a large group of Wobblies had seized a train in Portland and were headed south to join the Fresno free speech battle. The group was said to number nearly 500. [7] A later article clarified that no trains had been seized and that the Portland group numbered around 150 IWW members.[8] The group traveled south through Oregon until they debarked in Ashland, then continued to walk, stopping in towns along the way to rally IWW support from townspeople. Sympathizers listened to the IWW speakers and often supplied them with food and shelter as the group made their way south. [9]

Another article claimed that a second contingent of IWW activists, led by organizer Carl Rave, was making its way west from St. Louis to join the Fresno campaign[10]

March

The IWW stood victorious as the Fresno “Free Speech Fight” drew to a close and the city gave in, promising to allow public speaking. IWW members had put financial pressure on the city by crowding its jail for over four months, ultimately convincing the mayor and business owners that the fight was not worth the cost to the city.[11] The Portland contingent of IWW agitators arrived in the city at the tail end of the conflict, while the band of hobos from St. Louis never made it to Fresno.[12] Public speaking engagements in Fresno continued while IWW members spread the idea of the eight-hour work day and “one big union.”

In other news, a New York shoe maker and IWW member, Vincent Buccafori had been arrested on murder charges. He allegedly killed his shop foreman in self-defense after repeated instances of assault and verbal attacks. IWW members were urged to send money to help with the trial.[13]

April

After the Fresno free speech victory, the Industrial Worker turned its attention to the civil war raging in Mexico, and the revolutionary hopes of Mexican IWW adherents and other radicals in northern Mexico. Famed IWW leader W.M. Stanley and several other IWW members were killed in the early phases of the Mexican revolution.[14]

Vincent Buccafori was convicted of murder and sentenced to 10 years at Sing Sing prison in New York. Eugene V. Debs and others held talks across the country and raised funds in support of Buccafori.[15] Meanwhile, IWW membership continued to climb as new chapters sprung up in International Falls, Minn., Mt. Vernon, Wash., and other places.

Additionally, a shoe worker strike in Brooklyn that had started in December 1910 came to an end. Some conditions of the strike were met, but it was largely unsuccessful [16] and cost the IWW $7,386.66.[17] The strike had not been reported on in the Industrial Worker until June.

May

Numerous peaceful May Day parades that had been held in Duluth, Minn., Seattle, and San Francisco were overshadowed by news of the “kidnapping” and extradition of John and James McNamara in connection to bombings at the L.A. Times and building and the Lewellyn Iron Works building. As information spread about the extra-legal conditions surrounding the “kidnapping” of the McNamara brothers, IWW chapters everywhere took up the fight by threatening a general strike, and many members took up the chant “Workers, we can prevent the murder of the McNamaras, Strike!” [18]

Tensions over street orating began to fester in some cities. In Philadelphia, IWW organizer Elisabeth Gurly Flynn was arrested during a public speaking engagement and charged with obstructing the highway and breach of the peace. She requested a trial and was subsequently held on $400 bail. [19] Also, an IWW speaker in Newhall, Calif. was attacked during a public speaking event. [20]

June

Free speech continued to be threatened in cities across the county as soapbox orating ramped up following developments in the McNamara case. Kansas City police arrested an IWW speaker for “disturbing the peace” and fined him $50. [21] Unionized workers, including some IWW members, marched in Spokane, Wash. to protest the “kidnapping” of the McNamara brothers. [22]

Despite growing tensions elsewhere, Elisabeth Gurly Flynn was acquitted of obstructing the highway and breach of the peace in Philadelphia. [23]

July

The announcement of a trial date for the McNamara brothers for Oct. 11, 1911 inflamed IWW speakers further as the Industrial Worker encouraged a general strike for the date of the trial. [24]

Meanwhile, new free speech challenges emerged in Walla Walla, Washington and Duluth, Minnesota. A number of IWW members was arrested in Walla Walla for street-corner speaking [25], and another man was received a 10-day sentence for communicating with incarcerated Wobblies through the bars of their jail cell. [26] A third incident in Walla Walla saw John Smith, an IWW member, sent to jail for arguing with a prohibition advocate.[27]

In California, a bittersweet windfall of $3,000 helped fund the IWW. A Fruitvale, Calif. man and long-time IWW member, J.A. Anthony, committed suicide in his home and bequeathed 14 plots of land in Fruitvale valued at $3,000. [28]

August

August saw several important strikes and lockouts. The Sawmill Operators’ Association, which had many saw mills in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas under its control, sent a message to workers attempting to organize under the IWW and other labor unions. 11 mills were closed at the beginning of the month, putting approximately 3,000 sawyers out of work and the operators threatened to close additional mills.[29]

Railroad workers on the Southern Pacific lines were rebuffed by management when they demanded shorter work hours, more pay, abolition of personal records, and free physical exams. IWW membership of Southern Pacific rail workers increased as IWW speakers held rallies and passed out stickers and printed propaganda. [30]

Meanwhile in the northwest, the free speech battles continued. Two IWW speakers were arrested for street oration in Walla Walla, Street speaking was banned and a street orator was jailed in Odessa, Wash. [31], Tacoma threatened to pass a city ordinance that would ban public speaking [32], and IWW leader Max Dezettel was arrested and later released for public speaking in Boise, Ida. [33] Public speaking led to isolated arrests in other regions as well. In San Francisco, 11 men were arrested during a public speaking engagement, leading to a protest of 200 sympathizers outside of City Hall [34]. IWW speakers in Denver, Minneapolis, and Ironwood, Mich. were also arrested on charges of disturbing the peace or other similar charges [35].

September

Railroad workers continued to grab headlines in September, as the management of the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific lines, both owned by the consortium established by E.H. Harriman, refused to acknowledge the demands of their workers. The Industrial Worker wrote scornfully of the railroad bosses. [36] [37]

Strikes also spread in the southern timber country. Lumber mills shut down due to union agitation for better working conditions. In all, 37 mills in eastern Texas and western Mississippi had been closed, putting an estimated 11,000 people out of work. Mills were expected to continue closing. [38]

In Wenatchee, Wash., police raided numerous barns and arrested 25 IWW members on charges of vagrancy. IWW literature was found on many of the men, and the judge released them on the condition that they leave town and not stir up any trouble with the employed people in the city. [39]

October

October was busy for the IWW as 30,000 railroad workers struck the Harriman Lines after their demands for better working conditions had been ignored. Many union scabs continued to work while IWW organizers attempted to organize the strikers and handed out IWW literature. By the end of the month, the strike showed little sign of coming to a resolution. [40] According to the IWW, Southern Pacific management had tried to avoid a strike by bribing its long-time workers. Perks such as free travel passes were awarded to individuals who had a 10-year uninterrupted work history with the company. Striking workers, of course, lost such benefits. [41]

Meanwhile a free speech fight had erupted in Kansas City after IWW members were arrested in mass. Police arrested F.H. Little, an IWW speaker, and anyone who admitted to being an IWW member. [42] Seven more IWW members were arrested shortly after for public speaking on charges of obstructing the sidewalk and disturbing the peace. [43] IWW speaker Charles Ripley and two IWW members were arrested in a separate street speaking incident. [44] All of the men arrested in association with IWW rallies were kept separate from the general population in the Kansas City jail. [45]

November

While the McNamara trial continued, the Harriman Lines strike started getting ugly. Striking rail workers cut the brake lines and posted IWW stickers on all of the freight cars on the side track in Brawley, California. The strike continued with no sign of ending in the near future. [46]

Kansas City authorities proclaimed that they would not arrest any more IWW members for public speaking as long as they didn’t break any laws [47], but just as the free speech battle in Kansas City was drawing to a close, another much more violent one erupted in Aberdeen, Washington. The mayor of Aberdeen deputized 500 citizens in response to a growing number of public speaking engagements by the IWW. The deputies then used fire hoses against IWW members and labor movement sympathizers. [48] Five men were arrested toward the beginning of the month for street orating [49], then 50 men associated with the labor movement were captured and released outside of the city limits. [50] The newspaper reported that 100 IWW members from Spokane were headed to Aberdeen to help.[51]

December

The trials of John and James McNamara took an unexpected turn as both men admitted guilt to charges filed against them. James took full responsibility for the bombing of the L.A. Times and was sentenced to life in prison and John was sentenced to 15 years in prison after he admitted to bombing the Lewellyn Iron Works building. [52] IWW and AFL members protested the verdict and held public marches and demonstrations in many cities. [53]

Meanwhile, the fight in Aberdeen raged on as more IWW members and supporters arrived and ousted members waited in the forest on the outskirts of town. [54] Five or seven more IWW members were arrested when police entered the IWW hall unannounced. [55]

By the end of the year, the Harriman Lines strike was still in full swing and was not expected to end in the foreseeable future as workers continued to agitate and the employer refused to negotiate.

[1] “A Correction and Some Facts Regarding Fresno Free Speech Fight,” Industrial Worker, February 16, 1911, 3.

[2] “Special from Fresno,” Industrial Worker, January 12, 1911, 3.

[3] “Imprisoned Without Trial,” Industrial Worker, January 26, 1911, 1.

[4] “Workers Gaining Ground in Fresno, Calif.,” Industrial Worker, February 16, 1911, 1.

[5] “Just Before the Victory,” Industrial Worker, March 9, 1911, 1.

[6] “IWW Man Beaten at Fresno,” Industrial Worker, March 9, 1911, 2.

[7] “Train Captured by IWW Crowd,” Industrial Worker, February 12, 1911, 3.

[8] “The Army on the Road,” Industrial Worker, March 2, 1911, 1.

[9] “The Army on the Road,” Industrial Worker, March 2, 1911, 1.

[10] “On to Fresno is the Cry,” Industrial Worker, March 2, 1911, 2.

[11] “The Closing Sounds of the Fresno Fights,” Industrial Worker, March 16, 1911, 1.

[12] “On the Road to Fresno,” Industrial Worker, April 6, 1911, 4.

[13] “A Slave Has No Rights,” Industrial Worker, April 20, 1911, 2.

[14] “The Battle of Mexicala,” Industrial Worker, April 27, 1911, 1.

[15] “St. Louis IWW at Work,” Industrial Worker, April 20, 1911, 3.

[16] “(10) Struggles of the IWW,” IWW.org, web, accessed May 26, 2014, http://www.iww.org/about/official/StJohn/10.

[17] “Expense of Shoe Strike,” Industrial Worker, July 6, 1911, 3.

[18] “Begging for Justice,” Industrial Worker, June 1, 1911, 1.

[19] “Gurley Flynn Arrested,” Industrial Worker, June 8, 1911, 1.

[20] “Slugged at Newhall, Cal.,” Industrial Worker, June 15, 1911, 3.

[21] “Slaves are Aroused,” Industrial Worker, June 29, 1911, 1.

[22] “Gurley Flynn Acquitted,” Industrial Worker, June 22, 1911, 2.

[23] “The Master Class is Trembling with Fear,” Industrial Worker, June 1, 1911, 1.

[24] “Free Speech,” Industrial Worker, July 20, 1911, 2.

[25] “Vigorous Means, Eh?,” Industrial Worker, July 20, 1911, 3.

[26] “Equal Before the Law,” Industrial Worker, August 3, 1911, 1.

[27] "Old and Only in the Way,” Industrial Worker, July 27, 1911, 4.

[28] “Masters Afraid of IWW, Close Down All Mills in Southern States,” Industrial Worker, August 12, 1911, 1.

[29] “Southern Pacific Men Want Some Freedom,” Industrial Worker, August 24, 1911, 1.

[30] “Free Speech Be Won,” Industrial Worker, August 10, 1911, 2.

[31] “Tacoma Will Grow With Free Speech Fight,” Industrial Worker, August 17,1911, 1.

[32] “Arrested in Boise, Idaho,” Industrial Worker, August 24, 1911, 1.

[33] “Persecution in Frisco,” Industrial Worker, August 24, 1911, 3.

[34] “Persecution of IWW Men in Denver, Colo.,” Industrial Worker, August 31, 1911, 1.

[35] “IWW Men are Arrested,” Industrial Worker, September 7, 1911, 3;

[36] “Harriman Lines Will Not Grant Demands,” Industrial Worker, September 21, 1911, 1.

[37] “Afraid of IWW,” Industrial Worker, October 12, 1911, 2.

[38] “Must Not Talk Says Judge,” Industrial Worker, September 28, 1911, 1.

[39] “Union Scabs Working on Harriman Lines,” Industrial Worker, October 12, 1911, 1.

[40] “The Price of Scabbery,” Industrial Worker, October 19, 1911, 2.

[41] “J.B. McNamara on Trial,” Industrial Worker, October 19, 1911, 1.

[42] “Free Speech Fight On,” Industrial Worker, October 26, 1911, 4.

[43] “Where is Your Freedom?,” Industrial Worker, November 2, 1911, 1.

[44] “K.C. Afraid of Agitation,” Industrial Worker, November 9, 1911, 4.

[45] “McNamara Trial,” Industrial Worker, November 30, 1911, 2.

[46] “Before the Victory,” Industrial Worker, November 16, 1911, 1.

[47] “Free Speech Fight is on in Aberdeen,” Industrial Worker, November 30, 1911, 1.

[48] “Aberdeen Tries Water Cure,” Industrial Worker, November 30, 1911, 1.

[49] “500 Thugs in Aberdeen,” Industrial Worker, November 30, 1911, 1.

[50] “To Aberdeen or Bust,” Industrial Worker, November 30, 1911, 4.

[51] “McNamara Makes Startling Confession,” Industrial Worker, December 7, 1911, 1.

[52] “From San Diego, Cal.,” Industrial Worker, December 7, 1911, 3.

[53] “Aberdeen Full of Thugs,” Industrial Worker, December 7, 1911, 1.

[54] “Driven From Aberdeen,” Industrial Worker, December 14, 1911, 1.

[55] “Latest from Aberdeen,” Industrial Worker, December 14, 1911, 1.

The articles referenced in the database can be found in the online copies of Industrial Worker digitized by Marty Goodman of the Riazanov Library Project at marxists.org.

Date	Title	Place	State	Event Description
1/12/1911	Win the Strike - Strike! Strike	Tacoma	WA	Drillers, muckers and most other people working on the tunnel of the Tacoma Municipal Power Plant were on strike against Savage & Nichols following a wage cut. Several strikers joined the IWW as a result, and more were likely to follow
1/12/1911	Special from Fresno	Fresno	CA	Jack Whyte was convicted of being a reporter for workingmen's newspapers, namely The Industrial Worker, and Solidarity
1/19/1911	On to Fresno - Fresno or Bust	Fresno	CA	50 men were imprisoned for publicly speaking on workers' rights. Fresno, Calif. police attacked the mob reportedly at the instruction of the mayor.
1/19/1911	Visalia Officers Coming for Suspects	Visalia	CA	Six men were wanted in connection to a robbery. Among their posessions were newspaper clippings relating to IWW violence. Men were suspected to be heading to Fresno to take part in conflict between police and IWW.
1/26/1911	Murderer Gets his Reward	Fresno	CA	A man who had been convicted of murder and sentenced to 14 years of prison was pardoned by a judge after he attacked IWW members in jail.
1/26/1911	Imprisoned Without Trial	Fresno	CA	James Doyle, an IWW man, was released from prison after 51 days of confinement without a trial. The judge determined there was no case against the man.
1/26/1911	Free Speech Fight in Fresno	Fresno	CA	Sources confirm 115 IWW members were in jail for public demonstations.
1/26/1911	Fresno Rock Pile	Fresno	CA	Fresno established a "rock pile system" for getting rid of vagrants.
1/26/1911	IWW Owns a Press	New Castle	PA	"Solidartiy" purchased its own printing press for printing and distributing propaganda.
2/2/1911	Yearning for that Rockpile	Fresno	CA	Four IWW men who pleaded not guilty to violating a city ordinance by speaking on public streets were sent to jail for not making bail.
2/9/1911	An IWW Strike Won't Quit Union	New York	NY	Shoe manufacturer A. Garside & Co. was willing to agree to terms with striking workers if the workers agree to drop affiliation with IWW. The workers refused.
2/9/1911	Fire Engines not for Torture	New York	NY	Local No. 791 of New York Long-shoremen held a protest against police brutality against IWW in Fresno. They claimed constitutional rights were being impeded upon.
2/9/1911	Workers in Detroit Protest - Police Brutality	Detroit	MI	Members of Detroit IWW protested police brutality against IWW protesters in Fresno Calif., and sent resolution to governor of California and chief of police of Fresno.
2/16/1911	Workers Gaining Ground in Fresno, Calif.	Fresno	CA	30 IWW members had been released from jail with no trial in Fresno, Calif. 91 members were still in jail out of "130 or 135" original arrests dating back to Nov. 28, 1910.
2/16/1911	A Correction and Some Facts Regarding Fresno Free Speech Fight	Fresno	CA	122 total IWW members had arrested in Fresno, Calif., 27 plead guilty, and 27 were released without a trial. 83 non-members were also in jail for the protests. Up to this point, the most non-members is jail at one time was 105.
2/23/1911	The Latest From Fresno	Fresno	CA	IWW members held street rallies on Feb. 9 and 12
2/23/1911	The Lying Press	Fresno	CA	Fresno newspaper falsely reported IWW leaders in Fresno jail received $3 wages while other IWW members suffer. It also reported that only 45 IWW members still remained in Fresno jail.
2/23/1911	Train Captured by IWW Crowd	Portland	OR	Aproximately 500 IWW members broke into three Southern Pacific freight cars headed to California. Their final destination was Fresno .
3/2/1911	The Army on the Road	Hornbrook	CA	A letter sent by an IWW member attached to the group that broke into freight cars toward Fresno reported: only 150 men were in the group, the freight cars weren't broken into but had left open, they stopped along the way to give speeches and received provisions from townfolk along the way, they got off the train in Ashland, Ore. and walkd over the pass toward California.
3/2/1911	Among Friends on the Road	Dunsmuir	CA	The traveling group of IWW members reacheed Dunsmuir, Calif., but the reported number of travelers lessened to 80. The group continue south speaking publicly and rallying support from townspeople. They were often provided free food and lodging by local sympathzers.
3/2/1911	To the Tax Payers of Fresno, California			An open letter to the people of Fresno stated the goals of the Free Speech Fight in Fresno and illuminated popular opinion of the time that the IWW was a group of rabble rousers.
3/2/1911	On to Fresno is the Cry	St. Louis	MO	A group of hobos began traveling from St. Louis to Fresno upon an invitation by St. Louis IWW organizer Carl Rave to join in the Free Speech Fight.
3/2/1911	Jail Full of IWW's	Fresno	CA	The Fresno jail was to be reported full by the sheriff. 117 men were in jail and the city was running out of resources to deal with the jailed population.
3/9/1911	Just Before the Victory	Fresno	CA	Fresno sheriff said the jail was overcrowded and police would not admit any more people that are charged with breaking city ordinances. In reaction, two IWW speakers were beaten by citizens and a public lynchings were threatened by another citizen.
3/9/1911	What Scared the Master	Fresno	CA	IWW member Joseph Sorenssen lead a group of 100 citizens, only three of which were IWW members, across town to join the Free Speech Fight in Fresno.
3/9/1911	IWW Man Beaten at Fresno	Fresno	CA	An IWW member was beaten and dragged through three city blocks as a result of public speaking. The sheriff refused to book the beaten man due to jail overcrowding. The man was suffered a broken nose among other injuries and was sent to a local hospital.
3/9/1911	Civilization	Redding	CA	The traveling group of IWW members reached Redding, Calif. The group was said to number 100.
3/9/1911	A New Local	Black Diamond	WA	A new IWW chapter of 40 coal miners was started in Black Diamond, Wash. after defecting from UMWA.
3/16/1911	The Closing Sounds of the Fresno Fights	Fresno	CA	IWW members and all others were allowed to speak publicly. The Fresno Free Speech Fight effectively ended.
3/23/1911	An IWW Man Needs AId	Brooklyn	NY	Striking shoemaker Vincent Buccafori awaited trial under suspicion of murdering his shop foreman.
3/30/1911	Capitalist Sluggers get Trimmed in Missoula	Missoula	MT	An IWW secretary was punched by an army lieutenant during a public speaking engagement. The secretary, lieutenant and one other IWW man was arrested. The charges were later dropped by a local judge.
4/6/1911	On the Road to Fresno	Chico	CA	An in-depth recounting of the motives behind the IWW members hopping a train down to Fresno during the Free Speech Fight.
4/20/1911	A Slave Has No Rights	Brooklyn	NY	IWW member Vincent Buccafori was sentenced to 10 years in Sing Sing prison for murdering his shop foreman. The murder was claimed to be in self-defense.
4/20/1911	A New Local - Special from Mt. Vernon	Mt. Vernon	WA	A new charter has been established and was expected to enlist 60 members.
4/20/1911	Lumberjacks New Local	International Falls	MN	Local No. 428 formed in International Falls, Minn.for lumberjacks.
4/20/1911	St. Louis IWW at Work	St. Louis	MS	IWW members in St. Louis hired Eugene V. Debs to speak to raise money for Vincent Buccafori
4/27/1911	The Battle of Mexicala	Mexicala, Mexico	MX	Famed IWW leader W.M. Stanley was shot to death in a battle near the U.S. and Mexico border.
4/27/1911	Attempt to Break up Meeting	San Diego	CA	A policeman and a drunken sailor attempted to break up an IWW anti-war rally. The sailor pretended to have been punched in the jaw by the IWW speaker. It was determined that the sailor had falsified his statement to the police, and the IWW speaker was not charged.
5/4/1911	Must Buccafori Serve Ten Years in Prison	Brooklyn	NY	More information is provided regarding the circumstances of the Buccafori murder.
5/11/1911	From Duluth	Duluth	MN	Socialists and IWW members marched in a large May Day parade.
5/18/1911	Seattle Has a Big May Day	Seattle	WA	IWW held their first May Day parade with an estimated 1,200 people in attendance.
5/18/1911	Big May Day in San Francisco	San Francisco	CA	IWW and other socialists were active in a large peaceful May Day Parade.
5/18/1911	Must an Innocent Man Die in Sing Sing?	Brooklyn	NY	More background is provided on the Buccafori murder case.
6/1/1911	Begging for Justice	Los Angeles	CA	IWW members are wanted in connection to Los Angeles Times building.
6/1/1911	The Master Class is Trembling with Fear	Los Angeles	CA	More information is provided on growing tensions regarding Los Angeles Times explosion. Newspapers report a fear of the possibility of a general strike.
6/1/1911	Afraid to Strike			More information is provided on the threat of a general strike to pressure for the release of McNamara brothers and other prisoners.
6/8/1911	Gurly Flynn Arrested	Philadelphia	PA	IWW organizer Elisabeth Gurly Flynn was arrested in Philadelphia during a public speaking engagement and charged with obstructing the highway and breach of the peace. She requested a trial and was subsequently held on $400 bail.
6/15/1911	Sliugged at Newhall, Cal.	Newhall	CA	An IWW spearker was attacked in Newhall, California. Reinforcements were called to help promote free speech.
6/22/1911	Gurly Flynn Acquitted	Philadelphia	PA	Elisabeth Gurly Flynn was acquited of charges of obstructing the highway and breach of the peace.
6/22/1911	Free Speech Denied	Kansas City	MO	An IWW speaker was arrested on charge of disturbing the peace, but was released with a $50 fine.
6/29/1911	Slaves are Aroused	Spokane	WA	Numerous union members including IWW marched in the streets of Spokane, Wash. speaking on the McNamara brothers.
7/6/1911	Expense of Shoe Strike	Brooklyn	NY	The strike fund for the IWW shoeworkers in Brooklyn (Dec. 19,1910- April 8, 1911) totalled $7,386.66.
7/13/1911	A Traitor Unmasked	Spokane	WA	An IWW member admitted to working as a scab in the building industry.
7/20/1911	Free Speech	Walla Walla	WA	IWW members were jaiiled in Walla Walla, Wash. for speaking in public. The article also suggests issues brewing in Duluth, Minn.
7/20/1911	The McNamara Trial	Los Angeles	CA	The trial of John J. McNamara was set for Oct. 11,1911 in Los Angeles. The IWW threatened a general strike on the date of trial.
7/20/1911	Another Scab			A scab was reported as a previous member of Local No. 45.
7/20/1911	Vigorous Means, Eh?	Walla Walla	WA	An IWW speaker was arrested for disorderly conduct and sentenced to 10 days in jail in Walla Walla, Wash. for talking to a jailed IWW member through prison bars.
7/27/1911	"Old and Only in the Way"	Fruitvale	CA	IWW member J.A. Anthony commited suicide and bequeathed 14 lots in northern Fuitvale, Calif. worth an estimated $3,000 to the IWW.
8/3/1911	Equal Before the Law	Walla Walla	WA	Police arrested an IWW man for arguing with a prohibitionist on the street in Walla Walla, Wash. Also, "John Doe" was identified as John Smith
8/3/1911	The IWW Picnic in Los Angeles	Los Angeles	CA	An IWW picnic was held in Los Angeles, where a china set was auctioned for $13.65 to raise money for the Buccafori Defense Fund.
8/10/1911	Masters Afraid of IWW, Close Down All Mills in Southern States	New Orleans	LA	The Sawmill Operators' Assoc. met in New Orleans to work together to bust labor unions. A result of the meeting was to immediately close 11 mills in Louisianna, putting 3,00 men out of work. 300 additional mills in Louisianna, Arkansas, and Texas were at risk of closure as well. IWW workers had been actively sought out and fired at the mills leading up to the meeting.
8/10/1911	Workers Must Stick			IWW members affected by the lumber mill closures were urged to stay strong despite hardships. The sawmills were closed because the IWW and sawyers had the attention of the Sawmill Operators' Assoc.
8/10/1911	Free Speech Be Won	Yakima, Walla Walla, Odessa	WA	Two IWW members were jailed for public speaking in Walla Walla, Wash. and "free speech" has been banned in Odessa, Wash. IWW members planned to march on those two cities as well as Yakima, Wash. after the harvest.
8/10/1911	Arrested for Agitating	Odessa	WA	An IWW member was arrested and sentenced to 30 days in county jail for agitating for better working conditions.
8/17/1911	Tacoma Will Grow With Free Speech Fight	Tacoma	WA	Tacoma threatened to pass a city ordinance against public speaking engagements that would block public streets. IWW said they would fight the law with a free speech fight the same as Spokane, Wash. and Fresno, Calif.
8/17/1911	From Fort Bragg, Cal.	Fort Bragg	CA	All Local No. 426 IWW members were fired from Mendocino county logging companies. 12 sawmills were threathened and jobless IWW members were urged to help in the fight.
8/24/1911	Arrested in Boise, Idaho	Boise	ID	A Spokane, Wash. IWW member, Max Dezettel, traveled to Boise to speak publicly in the hopes of creating a new IWW chapter. Dezettel was arrested, then choked and punched by police on the way to jail. He was released on $100 bail.
8/24/1911	Southern Pacific Men Want Some Freedom			Southern Pacific (SP) railroad workers submitted a demand for an 8-hour day, higher pay, abolition of personal records, physical exams, etc. Many SP workers were joining the IWW.
8/24/1911	Victory for the IWW	Odessa	WA	Farm workers in Odessa, Wash. demanded and received raise from $1.75 per day to $2.50 to $3.00 depending on position.
8/24/1911	IWW Raises Wages at Harrington	Harrington	WA	Agitation led to an increase in wages from $2.50 to $3.00 in Harrington, Wash.
8/24/1911	Persecution in Frisco	San Francisco	CA	Union Labor police beat and arrested 10 IWW men at a public rally in San Francisco. 2,000 people gathered to protest and said they would protest again.
8/24/1911	Kangarooed in Boise	Boise	ID	More information on the arrest of Max. Dezettel is provided.
8/31/1911	Persecution of IWW Men in Denver, Colo.	Denver	CO	An IWW man was arrested in a police effort to break up public speaking by the IWW, but it didn't stop speakers.
8/31/1911	Promises Like Pie-Crust	Boise	ID	Max Dezettel was released from a Boise, Ida. jail after four days and promised not to speak in public any more. He held a street speaking event shortly after his release despite his promise.
8/31/1911	Police Have No Case Against the IWW Men	San Francisco	CA	Correction to last week's article: 11 men were arrested. Five men were released on $10 bail, two had their cases dismissed. Correction: 200 sympathizers gathered to protest the arrests.
8/31/1911	Extradited			The Indiana detective who kidnapped McNamara, James Hossick, was extradited to Indiana.
8/31/1911	IWW Wins Victory in Frisco	San Francisco	CA	A group of Italian workers held a street meeting to rally other Italian workers to join the local IWW. Police were in attendance, but were friendly and did no interfere.
9/7/1911	Gompers to Aid Southern Saw-Mill Owners			A report from the meeting of the Southern mill owners outlined their plans to weed out IWW members, and label them scabs to favor AFL affiliation.
9/7/1911	IWW Men are Arrested	Minneapolis	MN	Speaker Alfred Johnson and two other IWW members were arrested in Minneapolis on charges of disorderly conduct for public speaking.
9/7/1911	From Duluth, Minn.	Ironwood	MI	An IWW man was arrested for public speaking, held for three weeks to await trial, then was released and had his case dismissed.
9/14/1911	IWW Grows Rapidly			Railroad workers were starting to join the IWW in mass.
9/21/1911	Harriman Lines Will Not Grant Demands			Harriman Lines, a railroad company, refused to acknowledge unions and their demands. They said it made no sense to pay workers more when the market presents them with favorable hiring conditions.
9/21/1911	Wenatchee for Freedom	Wenatchee	WA	20 IWW members were arrested for complaining about working conditions. The judge released them, but the police said they intended on driving all IWW out of town.
9/21/1911	Must Not Talk to "Our" Men	Wenatchee	WA	Police raided barns where IWW were suspected to be living, confiscated propaganda, and arrested 27 IWW men. The judge released all men.
9/28/1911	Must Not Talk Says Judge	Wenatchee	WA	Correction: 25 men were arrested in Wenatchee on charges of vagrancy. IWW literature was found on a number of the men. The judge released all of them and said he had nothing against IWW, but he didn't want them stirring up trouble among employed men.
9/28/1911	Bakers Join the IWW	San Francisco	CA	Aproximately half of San Francisco's Italian bakers (100) joined the IWW.
10/5/1911	Strike When McNamara Goes to Trial	Los Angeles	CA	IWW members were called to strike on Oct. 11 when McNamara goes to trial. McNamara is charged with murder as the sole individual responsible for The Times bombing
10/12/1911	Union Scabs Working on Harriman Lines			An estimated 30,000 workers struck against Harriman Lines for failing to meet their demands.
10/12/1911	Afraid of IWW			37 lumber mills in eastern Texas and Western Mississippi had been shut down with more to come.11,000 men out of work.
10/19/1911	J.B. McNamara on Trial	Los Angeles	CA	J.B. McNamara hearings began. They were expected to last between four and six weeks. A jury had been thoroughly vetted for association with labor movements.
10/19/1911	The Price of Scabbery			Southern Pacific Railroad offered perks to long-time employees for "continuous service" in excess of 10 years. Joining a strike would break continuous service.
10/19/1911	IWW Men Help Strikers			IWW members joined in the Harriman strike, distributing propaganda and attempting to help organize. The strike was expected to continue for a long time.
10/26/1911	Free Speech Fight is on in Kansas City	Kansas City	MO	Speaker Frank H. Little and all who admitted IWW membership were arrested in Kansas City.
10/26/1911	Free Speech Fight On	Kansas City	MO	Seven more IWW members were arrested on charges of obstructing the sidewalk and disturbing the peace during a street speaking.
11/2/1911	Where is Your Freedom?	Kansas City	MO	Speaker Charles Ripley and two other IWW members were arrested in Kansas City for street orating.
11/2/1911	Say!! The Lumberjacks Are Organizing!!			Lumberjacks began to organize in response to lumber mill closures.
11/9/1911	No Fines Paid to K.C.	Kansas City	MO	Six IWW men were charged with blocking the sidewalk and were told to pay $50 each to the city.
11/9/1911	K.C. Afraid of Agitation	Kansas City	MO	IWW men were being kept separate from other men in the jail because police were concerned of further agitation.
11/9/1911	Praying for Victory in Harriman Strike			Harriman showed no sign of giving in to workers' demands. An end to the srike is still not in sight.
11/9/1911	K.C. Fight in Closing Round	Kansas City	MO	Five policemen showed up at street rally, moved crowd, but made no arrests despite taunts by the IWW speaker to arrest him.
11/16/1911	Discharged for Talking	Eureka	CA	16 workers were fired for talking about unionizing with IWW support.
11/16/1911	Before the Victory	Kansas City	MO	Kansas City police said they would not arrest any more IWW members for public speaking as long as they obey the law.
11/16/1911	Sabotage is Working	Bawley	CA	IWW members cut the air lines of all rail cars on the Brawley sidetrack and posted IWW stickers on the cars.
11/23/1911	Various Articles			An entire edition of the Industrial Worker was dedicated to promoting the movement for all lumberjacks to consolidate and unionize under the IWW.
11/30/1911	Aberdeen Tries Water Cure	Aberdeen	WA	Fire fighters turned fire hoses on a crowd of people outside of city hall protesting the arrest of five IWW speakers earlier that night.
11/30/1911	IWW Man Out too Late	Salem	OR	Two IWW men were arrested for breaking city curfew in Salem, Ore.W.E. Clark received a 15 day sentence and Gordon Napier received five days. Both were refused trial by jury.
11/30/1911	Free Speech Fight is on in Aberdeen	Aberdeen	WA	The mayor has deputized 500 men to chase out all IWW members from Aberdeen.
11/30/1911	500 Thugs in Aberdeen	Aberdeen	WA	More on the activities of the 500 deputized men and the Aberdeen police state. A curfew law was imposed and 50 IWW men were caught and released outside of the city.
11/30/1911	McNamara Trial	Los Angeles	CA	An account of the jury selection in the McNamara trial claimed that people selected for the jury had prejudice against McNamara before the trial and admitted during the selection process that they believed McNamara to be guilty.
11/30/1911	Smith is Paroled	Carson City	NV	Former IWW leader J.W. Smith was released from prison in Carson City, Nev. He was originally convicted for his role in a restaurant keeper.
11/30/1911	Lumber Trust is Desparate	Aberdeen	WA	Volunteer fire fighters turned their hoses on a crowd of rioting citizens following the arrest of some IWW men.
11/30/1911	IWW Man Pardoned	Salem	OR	W.E. Clark was released from jail and asked to leave the city.
11/30/1911	To Aberdeen or Bust			The Spokane IWW chapter declared 100 men will head to Aberdeen to help in the free speech fight.
12/7/1911	McNamara Makes Startling Confession	Los Angeles	CA	The McNamara brothers admitted to blowing up the L.A. Times and Lewellyn Iron Works buildings.
12/7/1911	Aberdeen Full of Thugs	Aberdeen	WA	The volunteer "thugs" succeeded in driving all IWW members out of Aberdeen, Wash. They IWW members are said to be waiting on the outskirts of town for the right time to return.
12/7/1911	From San Diego, Cal.	San Diego	CA	Aproximately 3,000 IWW and AFL members marched in support of the McNamara brothers.
12/7/1911	The Fall of Kansas City	Kansas City	MO	An IWW man was arrested in Kansas City for street speaking.
12/14/1911	The Fight in Aberdeen	Aberdeen	WA	A detailed account of the changes in Aberdeen, Wash. city ordinances that led up to the free speech fight is provided.
12/14/1911	Driven From Aberdeen	Aberdeen	WA	Five IWW men were quietly arrested in Aberdeen, Wash.The local chapter suggested that any agitators making the trip to Aberdeen protest in the street so citizens can witness the injustice.
12/14/1911	Latest from Aberdeen	Aberdeen	WA	Seven IWW members were arrested at the IWW hall in Aberdeen, Wash. Five were reported arrested in another account.
12/14/1911	The "Industrial Worker."			The Industrial Worker was reported as doubling in print runs since the beginning of the year.

IWW HistoryProject

Main pages

Additional pages

See yearbook list (1906-1924)

Highlights 1911 by Nick Bragg