Aside from scabbing, whether on the I.W.W. or any union, graft, stealing, lying, assuming a position without authority, fighting with fellow workers, and being a disruptive drunk were among reasons to be expelled from a local of the Industrial Workers of the World. Here are a selection of notices between 1909 and 1913 from ‘The Industrial Worker’ informing the wobbly world of members-no-more.

Fellow-Workers No More: Expelled from the I.W.W. Notices from Industrial Worker, 1909-1913.

July 1, 1909.

A CHEAP SKATE. The following lines are given to show up a cheap Fakir of Labor, who parades In the I.W.W. Some three months ago we admitted to membership of Local 64, I.W.W. a man by the name, A. Allen, who at that time told us that he used to be a member of W.F. of M., and also active worker for I.W.W. when It was first organized. All went well until we began to bold our open-air meetings. Allen being somewhat of a speaker, became very active in holding meetings and also taking applications. But at the meeting of No. 64 on June 3, we learned that he took applications but did not forward the money nor application, and at meeting of June 17, we got some additional proof of the same practice. Knowing that such work can not lead to anything but discredit to our organization, we hereby inform our bellow workers that we have expelled from membership said A. Allan. So that if he ever comes to your community and flashes a I.W.W. card Issued by No. 64, Minneapolis, you will know that It is a fake. A. Allan is an Englishman; has light complexion, with a sandy mustache; is about 5 1/2 feet tall, weight about 150 pounds; speaks in a very low tone of voice. He possesses the happy faculty of being able to change his mind on questions concerning the labor movement, as often as he happens to meet them. For Instance, as we have seen in his six months here: First he was a S.P. man: got out of them, joined I.W.W., and now, after having a dollar or two on application, has left Minneapolis for St. Paul, and there be has joined Danny De Leon’s forces, and last, but not least, he also parades as a Mission Stiff. Thinking that this will serve as a warning, a word to the wise is enough. (Seal) C. H. AXELSON, Cor. Sec. Ind. Union 64, Minneapolis, Minn.

January 1, 1910.

NOTICE. Editor Industrial Worker: Fellow Worker: —Kindly print the following in your paper. Some time ago we admitted to membership a certain Charles Brown, who has some ability as an agitator, but who was not a member long before his personal ambition rose above the welfare of the organization. He would go out and hold meetings, talk Industrial Unionism, and close by taking up a collection for himself. We explained to him that such practice could not be permitted In the I.W.W. but to no avail. So we, the members of Iocal No. 64. of Minneapolis, take this opportunity to inform the members everywhere that said Charles Brown has been expelled, and to be on guard when he flashes a card. He has only one stamp fixed. Yours for the welfare of the I.W.W., C.H. AXELSON, See. S.A. PERRIN. Pres. Seal I.U. No. 649.

January 8, 1910.

OFFICIAL NOTICE. Editor Industrial Worker: I have been requested by Local 424, I.W.W. to ask you to publish the following: Charles Andrews was expelled from local 242 I.W.W., on Dec. 19, for destroying a membership said belonging to Fellow-Worker Collins. Andrews met Fellow-Worker Collins in a saloon. Collins had been drinking, and was hardly able to stand alone. Andrews took 90 cents from him and tore up his card. Andrews was a charter member of Local 424, but hasn’t paid any dues since he became it member. Watch out for him—he is a bad one. THOMAS DUFFlN, President Local 424, Deer River, Minn.

January 29, 1910.

TO LOCALS AND MEMBERS OF THE I.W.W. San Francisco. Cal., Jan. 21, 1910. Editor Industrial Worker, Seattle, Wash. At the last regular business meeting held by Iocal 173, I.W.W., Fellow-Worker Edward Watkins was expelled from this, Local. A further motion was carried which Instructed the recording secretary to send a copy of this action to the Industrial Worker and Solidarity for publication and also to general headquarters. This action was taken by local 173, I.W.W., after Fellow Worker Edward Watkins refused to appear at the regular business meeting after being notified, so as to answer the following charges preferred against him by auditing committee of this local. We hereby charge Edward Watkins with falsifying the books of the secretary-treasurer and defrauding the local of $12.97 while said Fellow Worker Edward Watkins was entrusted with said office. By order of Local 173, I.W.W. (Seal.) HARRY SMEET. Recording Secretary.

March 19, 1910.

WATCH FOR HIM. At a regular meeting of Local No. 322. I.W.W., held at Vancouver, B.C. November 7, 1910. It was regularly moved and carried that Fred Lewis, former financial secretary, be expelled for absconding with the funds of the treasury and misappropriating the funds collected for the Swedish strike. Publish this in the Industrial worker. J.B. KINO, Financial Secretary No. 322.

April 14, 1910.

WATCH OUT FOR HIM! Imperial, Cal., April 5, 1910. To All Fellow Workers: At a regular a meeting of the I.W.W., Branch 4. Local 437, Imperial, Cal., J.D. Klley (who when charges were preferred, spelled his name “Kelly”) was expelled and I, as secretary, was instructed to advertise him in the “Worker’* and “Solidarity,” with an account of his actions here and such of his personal history as we can give. Klley, or Kelly, was acting as secretary pro tem, for the l.W.W. here, when the trustees found the books wrong and owing to Kiley’s unwillingness to admit the mistakes and his suspicious behavior In many ways, charges were preferred against him by the trustees. While the trial was in progress, Mr. Klley made an excuse about getting a drink of water and has not been seen since, thus proving to everyone, had other proof not been sufficient, that he had been defrauding the fellow-workers. Klley, or Kiilly (whoso real name we believe to be James Kelly), is a Chicago Irishman and claims to have worked a long time aa a teamster for Ringling Bros. Circus Co. He joined the I.W.W. here as a new member, but claims to be one of the charter members of the organization. He told one of the fellow-workers that his financial circumstances would not allow him to pay up back dues, giving that aa a reason for joining as a new member. He claims to be personally acquainted with Trautman and Debs. He was a teamster for some time in the oil fields near Bakersfield, Cal., and also In Ventura County. Also speaks of hunting and trapping in Northwestern California, In Humbolt or Siskiyou counties. He is probably about 40 years old; five feet ten and one-half inches in his stockings, weighs 175 to 180 pounds, la robust and powerful, but has been for some months badly troubled with pleurisy in the left aide. He has black hair, sprinkled with a very little gray, and slightly curly. His eyes are brown. He smokes cigarettes, but not excessively. Does not use much tobacco in any other form. He is sociable and intelligent; would easily pass with most people for a very good fellow. We hope that any fellow-worker who reads this and who knows more of James B. Klley, James B. Kelly, or whatever his name is, will publish in the “Worker” and “Solidarity” whatever they can that will more thoroughly advertise him. E.B. BOND, Secretary I.W.W. Branch 4, Local 437, Imperial, Cal.

April 30, 1910.

EXPELLED. Spokane, Wash., April 24, 1910. Industrial Worker: —I have been instructed by Local 222 to notify you, that James Wilson has been expelled from that local, and to ask you to put a notice In the Worker to that effect. I remain, yours for the I.W.W., A.U. COUSINS, Recording Sec’y No. 222.

EXPELLED. 1015 Clay St., California Hall Oakland, Cal., March 13. 1910. Whereas, communication from Local Unions No. 272. Phoenix, Arizona, Local No. 12, Los Angeles Cal., and fellow worker, Rees, warned and tried to show that fellow worker Dick Ford, is a crook, and Whereas, the so-called fellow worker Ford, appealed to No. 173, San Francisco, Cal., to help him to build up local Union No. 174, of Oakland, and No. 173 did all it could to help him to build No. 174, and in spite of our help and the desire of a large number of workers to organize In Oakland, he has not built it, but on the contrary, there is practically no local and scarcely any record of what he had done; but said Ford has turned the I.W.W. to his own aggrandizement and benefit, and Whereas, many wage workers have stated that they could not join the I.W.W. until Ford is put out the organization, and Whereas, when we in a fellow workers’ manner asked for the books in order to carry on systematic and organizing meeting, he went as far as to draw a knife on fellow worker, Brandesteter, and only subsided on view of greater force; therefore, be it Resolved by locals No. 173 and No. 174 in joint meeting assembled that In order to act promptly we suspend the rules of organization and order and proceed to expel Dick Ford from local No. 174, I.W.W. Adopted unanimously. Moved and seconded that Dick Ford be expelled from the I.W.W. Carried; one against it. Moved and seconded, that we send a copy of this resolution to Locals No. 272, No. 12, and to the Industrial Worker and Solidarity for publication, and also, to general headquarters carried. THOS. RAYM, (Seal) Rec. and Cor. Sec’y. Prot.

December 8, 1910.

OFFICIAL NOTICE. Industrial Workers of the World, Vincent St. John, Gen. Sec’y-Treas. 518-56 Fifth Ave., Chicago, Ill. Local Union No. 380, I.W.W., of Tacoma, Wash., has expelled B.G. Ayhoyan for acting as a strikebreaker, in a machine shop of that city. It seems that Ayhoyan in the past has been victimized by the craft principles of the I.A.M. and tried to even up the score. The I.W.W., however, does not stand for mutual scabbing nor reprisals and on the refusal of Ayhoyan to stop work he was expelled.

October 19, 1911.

EXPELLED PROM I.W.W. The following resolution has been passed by Los Angeles locals of the I.W.W: Resolution. Whereas, Joseph Kennedy, a member in bad standing of Local Union No. 12 of Los Angeles, has been found guilty of acts unbecoming a member of the I.W.W. by a duly elected grievance committee of three, all being members in good standing of said local, for doing crooked work at the behest of the Mexican government, and Whereas, Kennedy held meetings in the I.W.W. hall after midnight for mysterious purposes, and Whereas, Kennedy has drawn money from the Mexican consul for purposes he will not explain, and Whereas. Kennedy has admitted to have worked for the New York Sun while the printers were on strike and had taken a striker’s place, and Whereas, Kennedy was summoned to appear before said grievance committee and did not do so; therefore be it Resolved. By the local unions of Los Angeles, assembled in their regular business, meeting on the third of October, 1911, that the said Kennedy be expelled from the union and that warning be given to all other locals of the I.W.W by having this resolution inserted in the “Industrial Worker” and “Solidarity” and that an advertisement be placed in the local newspaper (the Record) informing the public that Joseph Kennedy is not a member of the Industrial Workers of the World and that this organization will not be responsible for his actions. (Signed.) H. DeGOOGIN, FRED BERG, A.H. RAHN, (Seal.) Grievance Committee.

October 26, 1911.

FIRED OUT OF I.W.W. San Francisco, Cal, Oct. 14. 1911. Local No. 173. I.W.W. has expelled M.M. Morris and Joe Heindenmeir for scabbing on the railroad shopmen in San Francisco, Cal. Yours for Industrial Freedom. J. LEBON. Secretary No. 173.

A GRAFTER EXPOSED. Minneapolis. Minn., Oct. 16. 1911. The following resolution was passed by the Minneapolis I.W.W. locals in regular session October 13. 1911. and order published in the “Industrial Worker:” Resolution. Whereas. William Wolfe, a member of I.W.W. local No. 64 and also a member of the Socialist party of Minneapolis, was engaged to speak for the I.W.W. on Sunday, October 8, and Whereas, The said William Wolfe was paid $2.00 for his services, and Whereas. The said William Wolfe pocketed a collection of $2.80 without accounting for the same and which collection belonged to the I.W.W.: therefore, be it Resolved That the said William Wolfe be branded as an imposter and a faker and expelled from the I.W.W. JEAN SPIELMAN. Secretary Joint Locals.

REINSTATED.  William Wolf, who was expelled by Locals 64 and 137 of Minneapolis, Minn., on a charge of misuse of funds, some four months ago, has been cleared of the charge and ordered reinstated by the locals. Solidarity please copy. (April 25, 1912)

December 21, 1911.

EXPELLED FROM LOCAL 322.  Local Union No. 322 has expelled Carl W.  Leasing for misappropriation of funds.  F. PARSONS, Secretary.

June 6, 1912.

SCABS EXPELLED FROM I.W.W. The following list of names are former members of local No. 253, I.W.W., Aberdeen, Wash. These individuals have been expelled for scabbing on the I.L.A. at that point. This is the treatment given to any persons who are found scabbing upon either craft union or unorganized workers while falsely holding membership in the Industrial Workers of the World. Ed Benner, card number 39525, P.E. Hammond, card number 39531, A. Burke, card number 35222, E. Jennings, card number 39534, C.F. Luke, card number 39584, G. Rush, card number 39587, G. Brown, card number 39510, John A. VonLonberg, card number 39593, W. Spicklemeier, card number 39586, Hud Dixon, card number 39591, N. Peterson, card number 38969, Paul Lambrick, card number 39524, Dan Hyatt, card number 39523, John Rosenthol, card number 35204.

May 29, 1913.

Local 26, I.W.W., Denver. Col., expelled Tim Norton, generally known as “Timberline,” on charges of disturbance in the hall while drunk.  The expulsion took place at a special meeting held on May 18. Norton held card No. 11564.

June 12, 1910.

JAMES B. SHEA EXPELLED. Eugene, Ore., June 1, 1913.— We hereby notify all locals that James B. Shea, book 103397, has been expelled from the I.W.W. for attempting to assault, with a knife, the secretary of this local, for carrying a gun ostensibly for the purpose of assault should he be interfered with while drunk and disorderly in the hall, and for using bad influences on new members, thereby being enabled to do the business of the local to suit himself, and for running the secretary out of the hall and taking possession himself, while intoxicated. Signed by members of Local 88, I.W.W.— Edwin Ekstrom, James Braun, Peter Nora, Dan Williams, Carl Newman, Chas. Tehey, Howard Reed, John Raymond, M.L. Crow, W. Billings, Peter Carraher, O.W. Canby, T.A. McNally, Walter Pasewalk. Secretary. Secretaries are requested to note this expulsion and inform membership of same. Shea is notorious for disruptive work and can only operate in new locals where he is not known. Be on the lookout for him.

June 19, 1913.

LOS ANGELES PROTESTS AGAINST E.J. LEWIS Los Angeles, May 28, 1513.— The regular business meeting of the Central Executive committee was called to order by Parker Hill, and Rec. Sec., Alex Michaell was Instructed to communicate the following resolutions to J.L. Renshaw, Secretary of the Philadelphia District Council of the I.W.W.: Whereas, E.J. Lewis, formerly organiser of Industrial Union No. 252, Seattle, Wash., was expelled by that union for conduct detrimental to the Interests of the I.W.W., and Whereas, the said E.J. Lewis has been guilty of conduct equally detrimental to Jhe I.W.W. in Los Angeles, and Whereas, the said E.J. Lewis by conspiracy, slander, and false evidence, injured a fellow worker, J.E. Kennedy by name, to the extent of having him expelled from L.U. No. 12, and Whereas. L.U. No. 252, after a fair and impartial trial, found it necessary to expel the said E.J. Lewis; therefore be it Resolved, that we, the Central Executive Committee In executive session, representing the local unions of Los Angeles, demand that the action of L.U. No. 262 be upheld and respected, and that said E.J. Lewis be not permitted to represent the I.W.W. in any capacity, locally or nationally, and be it further Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions, be sent to each member of the General Executive Board, and one to the Industrial Worker, Solidarity and the Lumberjack. Alex Michaell, Rec Sec, Parker Hill, chairman. Len Slinkard, C. P. Anderson, George Allen, James Pujol, Joseph Marco, Carl Kaesemeyer — Central Executive Committee of the Local Unions of Los Angeles, Cal.

July 10, 1913.

At the last business meeting of Local 40. I.W.W., Missoula, Mont., two members were expelled from the I.W.W. for begging on their cards and because they were suspected of being stool pigeons for the police and the lumber trust. They were both cooks by occupation. Frank Warnock, Book No. 63353, George Jackson, Book No. 103230.

JEAN SPIELMAN EXPELLED FROM I.W.W. Jean E. Spielman, Book No. 1809, who was a holder of credentials from General Headquarters as voluntary organiser, was expelled from the I.W.W. on June 26 by the unanimous vote of Local 64, I.W.W., Minneapolis, Minn., of which local Spielman was a member. Charges were preferred on June 16 by National Organizer John V. Leheney and additional charges on June 23 by Fellow-worker Ernest Riebe. The charges were that Spielman organized a building workers local, consisting of a fraudulent membership, accepting persons expelled from the I.W.W. and also printers, machinists, teamsters, and other ineligible parties. A charter for Building Construction local No. 221 was then secured by misrepresentation from the G.E.B. Under Art. 1, Sec. 2. Par. 6. of the constitution. Fellow-worker Leheney filed charges against Spielman.  The basis of the additional charges by Riebe is found in Art. 7, Sec. 2. which provides that no member of the I.W.W. shall represent the organization without first having been authorized by the G.E.B. or some subordinate part of the I.W.W. Spielman held a meeting at which one Goodhue, an expelled member of Local 69, I.W.W., Salt Lake City, Utah, was speaker. When requested to remove Goodhue from the box Spielman refused. The charges conclude with the words: “This act of the said Spielman is only one of many similar in kind and character that tend to defeat the aim and disrupt the I.W.W. movement in, Minneapolis.”

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.”