The Agricultural Workers Organization begins its activity. Formed in Kansas City early in 1915 to unionize harvest hands in the sprawling wheat fields of the Great Plains, the A.W.O. became, arguably, the I.W.W.’s most successful project. Two years after this, in 1917, the A.W.O. would count over 20,000 members.

‘Good Work of A.W.O. in Dakota Harvest’ from Solidarity. Vol. 6 No. 294. August 28, 1915.

I.W.W. Taking in Many Members Even at the Start, and Prospects Good for Getting Strong Organization.

Minneapolis, Minn., Aug. 22 North Dakota harvest is about started in many places, and others will start the coming week. The railroad companies have distributed thousands of wage scales throughout the country for the North Dakota harvest, signed by the immigration agents of the Great Northern and the Soo line. They state wages as averaging $2.50, with Minot and a couple of other districts at $3; but there are about 25 towns where they put wages at $2.00, and one place at $1.50 for a day’s harvest work. Who says the railroad corporations are not helping the farmers? The Great Northern owns tens of thousands of acres of farm land, and they are directly interested in cheap farm labor. The railroads are also shipping men west to flood the market for the farmers. And why shouldn’t they?

“Stickups” are working overtime around Minot; four jobs in three days and there is no work there. Imagine what it will be when the harvest hands come in with their little stakes! “Hands up” on one hand and “Hands up” on the other, all over. Will the authorities try to stop this? Oh, no! What for? To hell with the harvest hands; the less they get the cheaper they will work, so let’s keep them broke. The town authorities are the slugging committee and mouthpieces for the railroaders and farmers’ alliance, and so long as the stickups don’t murder or rob any of that class, it’s all right. All stickups have to do is to holler, “That’s an I.W.W.,” and he can do anything he wants to, as far as the authorities are concerned. We are not, therefore, depending upon the authorities to protect us.

The authorities in Minot are trying to stir up trouble: they have been arresting men by the dozens to try and sidetrack the I.W.W. agitation, so our boys would accept the challenge and engage in a fight with them instead of getting out into the harvest fields and on the threshing rigs. But the boys give them the merry ha, ha, and won’t fall for the game, although one of our men was recently slapped up by them–they “playfully” playing “Yankee Doodle” on his head with their slaps. Our boys served warning that if this was continued some fellows were going to play “Yankee Doodle” on the threshing machines out in the fields, as well as boosting wages. Working with music is fine. It enlivens the tedious work in the fields, and is very inspiring and encouraging, especially in relation to higher wages and less hours.

North Dakota is as hostile as can be, especially around Minot) and all I.W.W.’s are cautioned to be wise and on the alert. Don’t carry too much money. I.W.W. men can send same to W.T. Nef, 232 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis, Minn., or William D. Haywood, 164 West Washington St., Room 307. Chicago, Ill., for safe keeping. and can draw same at any time or have it forwarded any place. Always use postal money orders for this purpose, making them payable to either of the above mentioned parties.

Jack Law was arrested in Omaha last week, but was turned loose next day. He was arrested while trying to get a bunch to line up in the Agricultural Workers’ Organization; when the bull saw that Jack was getting some, the former got sore and pinched him before he could get the rest. Law alone got 19 new members last week.

Frank Burda, who was in jail at Pratt, is now out, and was in Kansas City about a week ago.

The circuit inaugurated by the A.W.O. between Minneapolis, Sioux City, Omaha and Kansas City, is proving successful so far. Good results. It is systematizing agitation. Change of speakers is made weekly.

The Agricultural Workers’ Organization got about 250 new members so far this month, which is good. Receipts over $1,200 so far; 35 new members taken in Saturday, August 21st. All aboard for 400 new members for the month of August. It’s easy now.

Kansas has still a few delegates working, and new members are coming in from there yet.

Nebraska is getting results also; wages in some sections are $3.00 and over, as there are bunches of wobblies scattered through South Dakota is sending in most of the new members just now, as the work is well under way there. Threshing will start next week and the latter part of this week.

Those of you who read this, and are not yet members of the Agricultural Workers’ Organization, are invited to join us at once, and help make this union–your union–a power. Initiation is $2. Dues 50 cents a month. There are over 120 delegates in the harvest fields, and you can do business with them. Make them show their delegates’ credentials, and it will be O.K. Office of A.W.O. is at 232 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.

Line up. Now is the time. Organize your power.

AGITATION COMMITTEE.

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/1915/v06-w294-aug-28-1915-solidarity.pdf