The seventh annual I.W.W. convention held in Chicago in September, 1912 was the largest national gathering of the I.W.W. since its formation. A young James P. Cannon reports.

‘Seventh Convention of the I.W.W.’ by James P. Cannon from Solidarity. Vol. 3 No. 40. September 28, 1912.

Harmonious Gathering of Young Men Fighting for Industrial Freedom.

Chicago, Sept. 22.

The seventh annual convention of the Industrial Workers of the World convened at Roosevelt Hall (formerly Brand’s) Erie and Clark streets, Monday morning, Sept. 16. A representation six times larger than last year in its attendance and the historic hall has never held a more enthusiastic gathering

Coming as it does on the eve of the Ettor-Giovannitti trial the deliberations of the convention are of unusual import and are being closely watched by foes as well as friends. For the first time in its history representatives of capitalist press bureaus are attending an I.W.W. convention. This fact in itself is an indication of the growing power and importance of the organization.

As is usual at all I.W.W. doings, the predominance of young blood is noticeable. Fully 90 per cent of the delegates are under 30 years old. This is in striking contrast to the policy of other organizations, but when it is considered that the capitalist class is fast displacing its fossils with “new methods and new men” the necessity of the working class adopting a like program becomes apparent.

The fighting Brotherhood of Timber Workers is represented by seven delegates who come with instructions from the membership of that organization to amalgamate with the I.W.W. One of the most encouraging developments in the American labor movement is this splendid band of rebels that has sprung up in the Southland within the past two years. Their delegates are able and aggressive upon the floor of the convention and, if the membership of the B.T.W. is permeated with the same spirit of revolt which they manifest, there is no doubt that much will be gained for the I.W.W. by the affiliation.

Proof that we have surmounted all barriers of race and color is here in the presence of delegates of many nationalities as well as that of two colored delegates, B.H. Fletcher from Philadelphia and D.R. Gordon of the B.T.W. Both of the latter are taking active part in the convention and show a clear understanding of the great idea of One Big Union of the whole working class.

So far as could be learned there are but two delegates present who were also delegates to the first convention-T. W. Powers of the Textile Workers and Edward Hammond of the Carriage and Wagon Workers.

The old timers like Speed, St John, Thompson, Little and Whitehead have lost none of their enthusiasm by the hard struggles of the past and still typify the irresistible spirit of “I Will Win.” Whitehead is the permanent chairman of the convention. One of his eyes is still affected as a result of his imprisonment during the Canadian Northern strike, but he is hopeful of recovering.

The appearance of Bill Haywood Friday morning was the signal for an ovation. In a short address he gave hearty approval to the General Strike proclamation issued by the convention for Sept., 30, and assured the delegates that it would be responded to by a sufficient number of workers in the east to accomplish the release of Ettor and Giovannitti

The telegrams of cheer and greeting sent to our imprisoned fellow workers in jail all over the country and the replies thereto were such as to stir the blood of a revolutionist. Ettor expressed the courageous spirit of them all in the words, “If death is to be the reward of loyalty to the working class, we will die with a song on our lips.” The McNamara brothers, deserted and repudiated by those for whom they fought and by the cowardly politicians who sought to make political capital from their arrest, were not forgotten. When St. John read a stirring message of greeting to them, recognizing them fighters in the cause of labor and hoping for their early release, it was met with s shout of approval from the delegates.

A cablegram of international solidarity and greeting was sent to the C.G.T. of France which is now holding its annual conference.

The report of General Organizer Thompson was devoted largely to the Lawrence Strike. He showed that the preliminary agitation was no small factor in the great victory which followed. The fact that there had been a local at Lawrence for two years before the strike, and that a persistent propaganda had been carried on through noon meetings at the mill gates, and by the distribution of literature, was responsible for the idea of One Big Union being implanted in the minds of the workers, thus causing the outbreak and the stampede to the I.W.W., while other mills under similar and even worse conditions had no strike to face.

The report of General Secretary St. John. dwelt at length upon the achievements of the past year in all parts of the country. The efforts of self-seeking politicians to undo the work of the I.W.W. while claiming credit for its victories, were scathingly denounced. He also made a semi-humorous allusion to the “civilized planers” who have attempted to misuse the name of the I.W.W. for the purpose of raising campaign funds for office hungry mouthers. He called attention to the fact that the work of the organization has been hampered by the lack of organizers and recommended that steps be taken to start a school for the development of more. The report of the General Executive Board was a synopsis of the work of the year and internal affairs of the organization.

One of the most remarkable features of the convention is the spirit of unity and harmony which prevails throughout. The great struggles at hand have had the effect of relegating the petty squabbles and differences of the past to the rear. All are alive to the serious necessity of presenting a solid front to the enemy. Every question of importance which has been considered by the convention has been decided by a practically unanimous vote.

Arrangements are under way for a monster protest meeting in behalf of Ettor and Giovannitti for Saturday night, September 28 Haywood will speak unless his trial comes up before that time.

The cooperation of the Chicago defense conference, consisting of 84 unions, has been secured for the meeting, and, with the advertisement given to it by a dozen or more soap-boxers every night, there is every prospect of a gigantic turnout.

JAMES P. CANNON.

The most widely read of I.W.W. newspapers, Solidarity was published by the Industrial Workers of the World from 1909 until 1917. First produced in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and born during the McKees Rocks strike, Solidarity later moved to Cleveland, Ohio until 1917 then spent its last months in Chicago. With a circulation of around 12,000 and a readership many times that, Solidarity was instrumental in defining the Wobbly world-view at the height of their influence in the working class. It was edited over its life by A.M. Stirton, H.A. Goff, Ben H. Williams, Ralph Chaplin who also provided much of the paper’s color, and others. Like nearly all the left press it fell victim to federal repression in 1917.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/solidarity-iww/1912/v03n40-w144-sep-28-1912-Solidarity.pdf