‘Denver Starts Organization Work in Earnest’ by Ted Fraser from Industrial Worker. Vol. 5 No. 12. June 12, 1913.

Things are beginning to move in this dead burg of Denver—the best lighted cemetery in the world. Since the settlement of the free speech fight extensive agitation has been carried on with splendid results. At first it seemed that nothing could be done here for all the workers appeared to be suffering either from overwork or empty stomachs. But while there’s life there’s hope, as local 26 has proven.

Sunday, May 25, we had a rousing meeting in our hall, 1909 Lawrence street, with Phil Engle and Meyer Friedkin as the principal speakers. A good collection was taken up and forwarded to the Paterson strikers. On Saturday, May 31, fellow worker Kunkle of Niles. Ohio, was the speaker and he certainly delivered the goods. A collection was sent to Missoula and Paterson strikers and considerable literature sold. Pat Noonan is the principal speaker on the street and he Is getting fine results. The way the slaves are discussing the I.W.W. makes it look as though Denver is surely being put on the map.

Local 26 has taken in over 40 new members in the past month and has started to organize a construction job just outside the city. We have three good camp delegates on the job and expect to have a construction workers’ local very soon.

On Monday. May 26. a few of the rebels went out to Rumps’ camp at Mesa. Colo., 17 miles out of Denver on the Union Pacific. They had worked just four hours when they called a strike and every man in camp responded, 30 in all. The strike was won in five minutes and the men are so pleased with direct action that they all signified their willingness to line up on pay day.

The slaves in the Colorado and Southern shops are also beginning to wake up. They have requested Local 26 to come and see what can be done. They have no union as yet and prospects are good for a strong local among the shop men. Anyway we are going to keep digging away to see what can be done in that industry.

We are taking 250 copies of the Industrial Worker, 100 of Solidarity, and 50 of the Lumber Jack each week and are always sold out before the next bundle arrives. One of the Denver fellow workers donated 80 new books so we have one of the finest libraries and reading rooms of any local In the West.

There is room for good street speakers here and Job agitators are badly needed. All agitators will be accorded a hearty reception. All rebels who intend going into the Kansas harvest fields should be sure to communicate with Local 26, 1909 Lawrence St., Denver. Colo.

The Industrial Union Bulletin, and the Industrial Worker were newspapers published by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) from 1907 until 1913. First printed in Joliet, Illinois, IUB incorporated The Voice of Labor, the newspaper of the American Labor Union which had joined the IWW, and another IWW affiliate, International Metal Worker.The Trautmann-DeLeon faction issued its weekly from March 1907. Soon after, De Leon would be expelled and Trautmann would continue IUB until March 1909. It was edited by A. S. Edwards. 1909, production moved to Spokane, Washington and became The Industrial Worker, “the voice of revolutionary industrial unionism.”

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/industrialworker/iw/v5n12-w220-jun-12-1913-IW.pdf