‘Our Polish Paper’ by A.A. Zielinski from Solidarity. Vol. 1 No. 47. November 5, 1910.

In a recent issue of this paper it was mentioned that something might be said soon about the Polish industrial paper, “Solidarnosc.”

Six months have elapsed since in answer to demands from organizers, speakers, agitators and others this Polish I.W.W. paper was started. It was a success at the start: support was good, and we sailed along smoothly, but of late there has occurred a lull in receipts; which being unable to overcome ourselves, we are forced to ask you for financial support.

There are many reasons why you should help us out. The paper has gone too far now to let it drop. It has conscientiously worked toward its aim, and has done some good. Previously, in agitation, we were met with such objections as for instance: “No paper says anything about our people.” Now they are handed a paper and they have no escape from an appeal to join. There has even been a demand that the paper be increased in size, as the Polish locals are growing and a paper becomes indispensable. Though we set out to issue semi-monthly, we came out once a month, but this has not discouraged anybody.

In order to increase our sub list, as well as to popularize our paper among the Polish workers, the Press Committee with the sanction of the local at arranged a raffle for a $25 gold watch, with tickets at 25 cents apiece.

One of our fellow workers, Stenzel of Brooklyn, attempted to sell some of these tickets at a big meeting held under the auspices of the Polish Socialist Alliance, but he was thrown out of the hall and forbidden to re-enter. What does this incident show? Simply that I.W.W. principles are making headway among the Polish workers, in fact so much so that their spread must be hindered, and they attempted it in that way. Oh, to be sure, the politicians will “deliver the suffering masses from the bonds of economic slavery.”

The affair will not close here. Opposition will go on, and we must meet it. Now, if you fail to help out and “Solidarnosc” dies, we will be greatly handicapped. So this is another reason why you should rally to our support.

Still another reason. You non-Polish workers made it possible that “Solidarnosc” came out. Then the Polish workers came along, and continued it to this time. But now we must all come to the rescue. Will you let the paper you started die? Can you afford it: No! Emphatically no! We ask you for only a few cents. If we asked for $5 or $10 you could justly say you could not afford it. You can help us. You must help us, if our press is not to diminish. You want to help us, and wise you would not have helped us previously you did.

Remember we are going to fight for the increase of the Polish membership of our union. We are going to fight for the Polish industrial press, and this is reason enough to appeal for aid.

We are appealing to you in the name of our press, in the name of the thousands of economically oppressed Polish workers, smarting under the capitalist lash, looking for an avenue of escape from Russianized America.

What will your answer be?

Tickets will be sent to all locals. Let the secretaries look to their disposal. If every local will sell but ten or fifteen, which is not impossible, this paper will continue indefinitely.

Let the good work of “Solidarnosc” go on.

For the Press Committee and Local 317. I.W.W.

A.A. ZIELINSKI, Editor.

Buffalo, New York.

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/1909-1910/v01n47-nov-05-1910-Solidarity.pdf