Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
July 18, 1919
Pine Bluff Daily Graphic
Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
James P. Holland, president of the New York state federation of labor, testifies before a legislative committee that the I.W.W. has organized 70,000 garment workers on a platform advocating destruction of the American government and favoring soviet rule, with plans for international revolutionary unions.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Organizing Workers on Platform for Destruction of the Government.
Most Recruits Are Makers of Garments
Head of New York Federation Says 70,000 Enrolled in Garment Workers Union By the Anarchists.
New York, July 17.—James P. Holland, president of the New York state federation of labor, testifying today before the joint legislative committee investigating radical and seditious activities in this state, declared that the I. W. W. had organized many thousands of workers throughout the country on a platform which included in its planks on calling for the destruction of the American government.
The most powerful of the radical organizations, Mr. Holland asserted, was the Amalgamated Garment Workers of America, with a membership which he estimated at 70,000.
As an evidence of the wide sweeping plans of the I. W. W. letters were read into the testimony before Mr. Holland took the stand, in which I. W. W. leaders urged European and South American workers to join in a scheme for an "international revolutionary industrial union."
One of the most ambitious projects was the organization of the marine workers of the two Americas and the marine European countries into "one big union."
The most fruitful field found by the radicals in this country, according to Mr. Holland, has been the garment industry, the second greatest industry in the United States. Asked what were the principles of the organization formed by the I. W. W. among the garment workers.
Mr. Holland replied:
"They don't believe in government. They preach that behind closed doors now, and some of them preach it out of doors."
The witness was asked if it was ever brought to his attention that the Amalgamated Garment workers favored a soviet form of government.
"It has not only been brought to attention, but it has been rammed down by throat," replied Mr. Holland.
"But the majority of the working men and working women are Americans first and not soviets, as some would have us believe."
Most Recruits Are Makers of Garments
Head of New York Federation Says 70,000 Enrolled in Garment Workers Union By the Anarchists.
New York, July 17.—James P. Holland, president of the New York state federation of labor, testifying today before the joint legislative committee investigating radical and seditious activities in this state, declared that the I. W. W. had organized many thousands of workers throughout the country on a platform which included in its planks on calling for the destruction of the American government.
The most powerful of the radical organizations, Mr. Holland asserted, was the Amalgamated Garment Workers of America, with a membership which he estimated at 70,000.
As an evidence of the wide sweeping plans of the I. W. W. letters were read into the testimony before Mr. Holland took the stand, in which I. W. W. leaders urged European and South American workers to join in a scheme for an "international revolutionary industrial union."
One of the most ambitious projects was the organization of the marine workers of the two Americas and the marine European countries into "one big union."
The most fruitful field found by the radicals in this country, according to Mr. Holland, has been the garment industry, the second greatest industry in the United States. Asked what were the principles of the organization formed by the I. W. W. among the garment workers.
Mr. Holland replied:
"They don't believe in government. They preach that behind closed doors now, and some of them preach it out of doors."
The witness was asked if it was ever brought to his attention that the Amalgamated Garment workers favored a soviet form of government.
"It has not only been brought to attention, but it has been rammed down by throat," replied Mr. Holland.
"But the majority of the working men and working women are Americans first and not soviets, as some would have us believe."
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Iww Organization
Garment Workers
Radical Activities
Soviet Government
New York Testimony
Seditious Activities
What entities or persons were involved?
James P. Holland
Where did it happen?
New York
Story Details
Key Persons
James P. Holland
Location
New York
Event Date
July 17
Story Details
James P. Holland testifies that the I.W.W. organizes garment workers and others on a platform for destroying the American government, estimating 70,000 members in the Amalgamated Garment Workers, with plans for international revolutionary unions and soviet government advocacy.