When one of your demands is that children be made to work no more than 54 hours…Largely Italian, many women and girls, strike against appalling conditions in the clothing shops of Providence, Rhode Island led by the I.W.W.’s Textile Workers, Local No. 530,

‘Striking Tailors Battling Against Tremendous Odds’ from Labor Advocate (Providence). Vol. 1 No. 32. April 6, 1913.

As the result of an enthusiastic mass meeting held under the auspices of the Industrial Workers of the World in the Benevolence Hall last Sunday evening over 1,000 garment workers of this city went on strike Monday morning for an increase in their weekly salary, definite working hours and local work to be done in this city and not in neighboring cities, as it has been the custom of a large number of Providence tailoring establishments.

The strikers met at the Swedish Hall, 98 Weybosset street, and held a largely attended meeting Monday morning. The garment workers made very startling reports of the conditions that prevail in the Providence workshop. One of the strikers stated that he was at times forced to work over sixteen hours each day and that at the end of the week he was not as well off as he was when he worked but ten or twelve hours.

Many of the local employers, in order to cut down their expenses, employ children well under the working age. These children are forced by their employers to work after school hours, that is from 4 o’clock to an indefinite hour. On Saturdays the children work practically twelve hours, if at times not more.

This the striking workers have made a very conspicuous feature of their petition. In this demand the tailors ask the employers that all children, engaged in either the custom tailoring or dressmaking trades, work fifty-four hours a week. They also demand of the employer to give the child-apprentice a fair salary.

The second matter of importance in this strike is the fact that the strikers are working against what might be termed as “yellow journalism.” The strikers are being fought by a very influential “newspaper.” The strikers, however, are defying this paper and are carrying on their strike without any hitch whatsoever. This newspaper, which describes itself as “for the people,” even went so far as to have the strikers turned out of their halls.

This was done by soliciting about the various tenants and through almost bribery forced them to enter a complaint against the garment workers. In this plan the “newspaper” succeeded and the strikers were forced to leave their headquarters on Weybosset Street. They changed their headquarters to the Socialists’ Hall, Westminster street. Here, too, the strikers were followed by the “wolf in the dress of a lamb.’ This time the “foxes” were met by their match and were beaten at their own game.

Over fifty police officers were sent on detail Monday and have been on duty since. The strikers, however, are not seeking trouble and will not meddle with the police. Practically every department store and tailoring shop in this city is guarded by one or two officers.

Meetings of the strikers have been held daily and they were all marked with great enthusiasm and willingness. The young women are taking a very active part in this strike and even go so far to voluntarily giving their assistance in persuading their fellow workers to join them in their cause. For the faithful work of these women many persons left their work and answered the call.

At a meeting Monday evening held in Falstaff Hall, Dr. James P. Reid, the principal speaker, told the strikers that they were bound to win and they will win if there is unity amongst them.

Thomas Powers also addressed the large audience and told them that there were great things awaiting them. He told them that they need not fear and that all the fearing is being done by the “bosses.” At the conclusion of his talk Mr. Powers was forced to say a few additional words, because of the great acclamation with which his address was accepted.

Both Dr. Reid and Mr. Powers addressed the strikers at a meeting at the Swedish Hall, Tuesday afternoon. Here, too, they filled the hearts of the willing workers with much enthusiasm. Both men are taking an active past in the strike. They are urging the strikers to have patience, “for it will all come out in the washing.” as it was put.

The demands of the strikers are entirely just. They simply ask recognition of the local union, an increase in their wages, definite hours, abolition of child labor and improved sanitary conditions.

They also demand that all the local work be done in this city. This is a very important feature of the petitions with which the employers are being presented. Many of the local tailoring establishments sell suits, which are described as “tailor-made.” These suits are sold for $25 up to $60. The clothes, instead of being made here, are sent to Boston where they are manufactured by cheap labor, and at almost half the price asked by the local tailors. The local tailors ask for about six dollars for the manufacture of a suit. In Boston the entire suit is made for about $3.50.

The tailors here have endeavored several times to put a stop to this practice, but without success. Committees have been sent to the Hub City to confer with members of the American Federation of Labor, who made no hesitation in making promises, and did practically the same by turning about and breaking them. The local tailors, tired of it all, finally decided that they had to have united action on the matter. As the result of this action the practice of sending work to the neighboring cities ceased, but later it was renewed. The number of suits that have been sent there, however, are decreasing daily, and it is the opinion of the leaders that before the strike comes to an end the custom tailors will not be troubled by the workers of Boston.

The strikers have not been given a fair treatment by either the employers or the police. In one case Annie Salmaggio and Alvera Capannelli approached a custom tailor on North Main street and asked if they could see several of the girls The employer replied in the negative and in a rough manner. He asked the women if they were on strike. The women replied with a “yes.” Enraged at being approached by the women, the employer struck the Salmaggio girl two blows.

They rushed to the strikers’ headquarters at Swedish Hall and reported. Their report caused a considerable stir among those present. They were, however, silenced by Nathan Lorenz, who urged them to be calm in their actions. A committee called upon the intruder but he would not meet them.

Other workers report that they are unable to walk about the streets because of the police interference. One of the young men claimed that he was glancing in one of the downtown department store windows when an officer approached him and ordered him to move on. The man attempted to explain but without success. Fearing that he would be arrested if he did not fulfill the officer’s bidding he “moved on.”

At the meeting Wednesday the strikers received letters from various tailoring merchants who desired to meet the committee in charge and meet the strikers’ demands. The committee went to work at once, and as the result of a visit to the Providence Tailoring Company, they succeeded in bringing the proprietor to terms.

Because of the strike the department stores’ alteration departments were paralyzed as the workers had deserted the shop. The Outlet Company was greatly affected and although they endeavored, with other stores and merchants to organize a union of employers, they were among the ones whom were at the mercy of the strikers. The meeting of the employers, which was held at the Crown Hotel, proved to be a disaster. Although many of the merchants supported the idea of an employers’ union, the majority of these same employers have asked the strikers to send them a committee with which to make terms.

With this in view the strikers are looking forward to success. It is hoped that by Sunday a large number of merchants will have met the tailors’ demands with approval.

The strikers are expecting to be joined by Arturo Giovannitti any day. Many telegrams have been sent to him and he has in every case replied that he will be present.

The strike here is under the leadership of Nathan Lorenz, Bernardo Quartarolli and others. Picket, strike and press committees were also elected. These committees are working hard to bring everything to a successful end.

The following resolution has been adopted by Local 530, I.W.W.:

Whereas, A large number of garment workers employed in tailoring shops and department stores of Providence are on strike; and

Whereas, The press in general and the Providence Journal and Bulletin in particular, are nobly fighting for their “meal ticket,” the department store advertisements; and

Whereas, Some self-styled “labor leaders” of the American Federation of Labor have also rushed to the rescue of said department stores, and by innuendo, misrepresentation and lying statements are seeking to discourage and defeat workers fighting for more wages and better conditions; and

Whereas, While we can readily understand the attitude of the aforesaid papers, the motive for the actions of the aforesaid “labor leaders” is not quite so clear, officials of unions presuming to speak for Labor, taking the side of department store owners against workers!

Therefore, be it Resolved, That we, the members of Textile Workers, Local No. 530, I.W.W., of Providence, do condemn such action as treachery to the cause of Labor, and that we request the rank and file of organized labor to recall these usurping officials to a sense of decency; and be it further

Resolved, That we tender our moral and financial aid to the men and women on strike.

Committee Local 530, I.W.W, Olneyville, R.I., April 3, 1913.

PDF of original issue: https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn92063933/1913-04-06/ed-1/?sp=1&st=image&r=-0.55,-0.244,2.099,1.033,0#viewer-pdf-wrapper