John Maclean 1919
First Published: John Maclean, “America's Shame,” The Worker, 25th October 1919.
Source: published in a shortened form in In The Rapids of Revolution, pp.191-2, Allison and Busby, 1978, edited by Nan Milton (Maclean's daughter);
Transcribed: by Morad Shirin.
I read in The Voice of Labour (USA) that an attempt is being made to get a day's strike in America on 8 October to protest against the continued imprisonment of more than 2,000 workers, who are in jail because of their activity in the labour movement. The Voice adds that many have died of illness, many have committed suicide because of intolerable tortures, and others again have gone insane. From these bald statements it is apparent that the prison methods of America differ in no way from those of Britain, and that it is the business of British labour to press for the release of our American comrades as labour pressed for the release of British COs – it is to be hoped that the workers' committees will take the first step in this direction.
The worst sufferers in America have been the members of the Industrial Workers of the World, and not unnaturally huge sums are required to maintain the dependants of the imprisoned, the maimed, and the dead. I have just received from William D. Haywood an appeal form for funds to help the release of all "class-war prisoners"; and in view of the developing antagonism between the British and American capitalists for the domination of the world's markets [...] I make no apology for inviting class-conscious workers to show their solidarity by forwarding to me at their earliest sums collected inside workshops and in labour circles.
Thousands have been arrested without warrant and held without charge. The report of the Commission on Industrial Relations admits that 900 men and women were thrown into prison without warrant or trial during the textile workers' strike at Lawrence, Mass., and that 1,900 men and women were treated similarly during the silk workers' strike at Paterson, New Jersey. [...]
Amongst hosts of IWW men tarred and feathered by gangs of prominent citizens, bankers, businessmen and hired thugs, are specifically mentioned Frank H. Meyers, D.S. Dietz, and J.L. Metzen. The "constitution" must have changed since Washington's time, for the "Stars and Stripes" must have given way to "tar and feathers”. [...]
Amongst men left with scars due to whipping are mentioned Joe Marks, James Rowan and John Avila, the last being hanged almost till death before being beaten and jailed for three months. [...]
IWW men have been denied the privilege of defence through the postal authorities stopping appeal circulars to working-class organisations. [...]
An IWW member under arrest at Birmingham, Alabama, was taken from prison and exhibited at a fair, twenty-five cents being charged to view him.
The fire department at Fresno, California, turned a jet of water on IWW prisoners in that town, one comrade having his eye thus torn out. [...]
Property has made fiends of men. But moralising is a waste of time.