Another example of Tampa’s long, proud history of working class rebellion as the members of Tobacco Workers Union No. 102 resist attempts to suppress their organization and newspaper, El Obrero Industrial.

‘Fighting Tampa’ by C.W. Nicholson from Voice of the People (New Orleans). Vol. 3 No. 16. April 16, 1914.

Fellow-workers: Not being satisfied with the local tyrants’ actions in suppressing the I.W.W. here the Federal Courts now think it time to take a hand in the matter and attempt to put our Spanish paper “El Obrero Industrial,” published by the Tobacco Workers Union No. 102, out of the field.

One week last Friday the Country detective rode around to the different factories and informed the executive committee of the paper, Fellow-workers Garcia, Ramirez, Rodriguez and Oliveros that they were wanted at Federal Judge Crane’s office for fifteen minutes, but upon their arrival they were informed that they had been indicted by the Grand Jury for violating one of the almighty laws. That they were to be sent to the County Jail to await $1000 bond each, without chance to notify even their wives. The boys on the outside were at a loss as to what happened to them. Considering that times are hard that the members on top of that are suffering from the blacklist, we have been in terrible straits ever since Christmas. I myself, being the only English speaking member of the local, and not being able to go to the Local only on Sundays, consequently we did not get a chance to see them until Monday.

When I popped the question of bail, these boys showed the true spirit and at first refused bail. But on second thought considering that one of their wives is about to give birth to a child and another in a very nervous condition, they finally made up their minds to come out. Bail was obtained with the aid of a Socialist by the name of Dan Robinson. The trial does not come up until next February, and it is up to us to get ready for our dose of medicine.

Tampa and vicinity is a very peculiar district as far as labor organization is concerned. About ten years ago we had a very strong organization here called the Resistentia, which was absolutely a local autonomous organization.

The effect on the average mind seems to inspire them to fight their own battles without depending very much on the outside aid. Though the capitalists get aid from everywhere they can, but nevertheless the product of such a method seems to prove up the best grade of working class solidarity I ever saw. Two mass protest meetings this last week with thousands to cheer the speakers. When the declaration for a general strike of this district was mentioned hats flew in the air with a manifestation of do or die spirit.

Every workingman you meet here, be he an I.W.W., A.F. of L., Socialist Anarchist, or what not, says he will die before these boys serve one minute in jail. Work of organizing a defense league has already been started and from these the defense will be handled. But that is not all we mean to do. We are going to answer this outrageous act by organizing every Transport Worker in the harbor of Tampa Bay by next February. Things look favorable for the whole street car system coming our way. There are 10,000 Phosphate Mine Workers within a radius of 50 miles of here, and I myself have been out there working a few weeks and, believe me, sentiment is ripe up there for a revolt.

This last action on the part of the powers that be has capped the climax. Nowhere in this country are the workers stirred up to the pitch they are here. Within a week or two we are going to enlarge the paper to twice its size and print a big English section. Send in some subscriptions, Box 157, Ybor City, Station, Tampa, Fla.; at present this is the best method of helping us out. As yet we don’t deem it necessary to ask for funds, but might later. What we can use is a few live, rough and tumble job agitators. I don’t tell anybody they are coming to a picnic. A picnic seeker is out of luck here. They have a well-oiled blacklist and a ball-bearing citizens’ committee; so any real rebel who wants action, just cut the brass band until you get landed where you can do some good, we need you and need you bad. Remember that these boys down here have never failed in time of need, so watch out for a call for action.

Yours for Industrial Freedom,

Tampa, Fla., April 11, 1914. C. W. NICHOLSON.

The Voice of the People continued The Lumberjack. The Lumberjack began in January 1913 as the weekly voice of the Brotherhood of Timber Workers strike in Merryville, Louisiana. Published by the Southern District of the National Industrial Union of Forest and Lumber Workers, affiliated with the Industrial Workers of the World, the weekly paper was edited by Covington Hall of the Socialist Party in New Orleans. In July, 1913 the name was changed to Voice of the People and the printing home briefly moved to Portland, Oregon. It ran until late 1914.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/lumberjack/140416-voiceofthepeople-v3n16w067.pdf