Text of a wobbly leaflet directed to the agricultural workers harvesting and husking Midwestern corn.

‘Corn Huskers, Attention!’ from Solidarity. Vol. 6 No. 303. October 30, 1915.

CORN HUSKERS, ATTENTION!

The biggest corn crop on record is now in sight, a total of 3,026,160,000 bushels. The following four states are the top corn states:

Illinois–372,400,000 bushels; Iowa–288,900,000 bushels; Missouri–217,300,000 bushels; Nebraska–212,900,000 bushels.

The present European war has been a boon to the American farmer, his profits out of the terrible conflict have been enormous. Not only is he getting higher prices for produce, but he is also disposing of a lot of broken-down mares and geldings at top figures to the European combatants, also getting higher prices for produce, but he is also disposing of a lot of broken down mares and geldings at top figures to the European combatants, also getting higher prices for hogs, etc. Consequently, he is wearing tailor-made clothes, coming to town to have a good time, riding in his own automobile, and smoking big, fat, black cigars; or salting his coin if he is a tight-wad.

Now, fellow workers, you who have just completed the wheat harvest and have seen what organization will do for the workers, it is to you we address this call. Also you poor ignorant and unfortunate workers who imagine you can’t organize. What do you know about organization, you who never have been members of any organization?

The members of the Agricultural Workers’ Organization have demonstrated the power of the workers in the wheat fields this year, by getting shorter hours, not working more than ten hours, where formerly they worked from 12 to 16 hours; also by getting from $3.50 to $4.50 per day for their labor, whereas the farmer, owing to the big army of unemployed, thought he could get plenty of men for from $1.50 to $2.50 per day. But he was badly fooled–the agricultural workers have demonstrated that by correct organization along industrial lines in the I.W.W.–the One Big Union–they can and will get higher wages, shorter hours and better conditions.

This leaflet is also for the benefit of the ones who have never come in contact with the rasp-like edges of the corn husks, who have never sprained their wrists, who have never left their blood upon the standing corn-stalks, who have never gone to the field with a lantern and who have never fingered ears of corn in snow, slush and rain; working just as fast as they possibly could, knowing they must speed up and go the pace that kills or else make nothing. It is to you un-informed workers, also, that this is addressed.

If you want to work in the corn fields this season and after this, you must join the One Big Union of all workers. You need us more than we need you. We have interests in common as workers, and you must realize this and join with us, in order that you may get your winter’s stake and more of the good things of life. The farmer is getting his; you’ll get yours by uniting with us. This is our chance to civilize John Corn Farmer or else introduce him to the “Sab Cat” if he refuses to civilize. The average husker is amenable to reason, and a bunch of “wobblies” ought to brace the swaying spines of some of the chickenhearted sufficiently to incline them toward the One Big Union. If not–well, there’s the Cat! Our main assault must be on the wages and working hours.

Here is the corn-husking program up to date, as instituted by J. Corn Farmer: You get up some time in the night and go to the barn to cuff and clothe your team. Then return to the house and swallow some bacon and a stack of hots. Next hitch up and drive to the corn field. Then, if you find it is still a half hour until daylight, pass the time in jigging and threshing your arms; of course, only an idiot would spend the half hour inside at the warm stove. At the first streak of dawn you begin your arduous labor. At 11:30 or 12, drive the corn chariot in and unload, bolt your dinner and race back to work again. When it gets too dark for nubbin’-hunting, you drive home, unload, eat supper and flop. This series of comedy stunts occupies about FOURTEEN HOURS and the performers usually accept an average daily wage of $1.50 a day and board for said continuous performance; or, if it is piece work, an average of 4c per bushel and board. This is the farmer’s program.

Now, fellow workers, do you wish to put an end to this, or do you wish to continue it? Answer this question by getting ON THE JOB and lining up in the One Big Union which is now mobilizing. Following is our program and demand:

$3.00 per day and board.

A maximum nine-hour workday.

A minimum price of 6c per bushel and board for piece work. All unmatured corn, if husked by the bushel (piece-work), must be measured, not weighed to determine the amount. (This is important, as late planted corn fails to mature properly and is light.)

Head for the field at once, fellow workers. Onward with the work of organizing the workers.

Forward with the Agricultural Workers’ Organization of the I.W.W.

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-w303-oct-30-1915-solidarity-joe-hill.pdf