1919: The Winnipeg General Strike

Extras needed for STRIKE! movie

2011-10-06T23:21:00.002-05:00

Danny Schur's odyssey to document the Winnipeg General Strike continues. The man who brought you Strike! the Musical will start shooting a feature film about the event in summer 2012.

They are taking registrations now for movie extras - they need a whopping 750 of them ! If you are interested or form more information please contact Schur at dannyschur - at -hotmail.com

Also, Schur's documentary Mike's Bloody Saturday premiered on October 1, 2011 in the city hall courtyard. It is available for viewing on MTS TV. Catch a trailer for it here.

New photos, documentary on the Winnipeg General Strike

2011-09-29T11:57:00.003-05:00

History revisited
New photos of the Winnipeg General Strike offer different perspective on seminal event
Winnipeg Free Press, September 29, 2011

"In preparing his 25-minute documentary Mike's Bloody Saturday, which will debut at an outdoor screening in the city hall courtyard Saturday evening, writer-producer Danny Schur was hunting down a picture he believed showed a mortally wounded Ukrainian-Canadian Mike Sokolowski being carried away after being shot during a violent confrontation between strikers and police on June 21, 1919.

Schur still hasn't found that photograph, but in the search of the province's archives in July, he discovered a cache of 12 new ones that offer new perspectives on Bloody Saturday, the culmination of one of the most defining events in the city's history."

Plans for 2010-11

2010-12-14T22:58:00.004-06:00

The 90th anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike took place in 2009. I decided to spin-off strike related news from my This Was Manitoba blog into this space. Ninety years to the day I uploaded the strike news and events.

This year, I am not re-uploading the posts so the best way to go through this blog is to use the 'by date' archives at the side.

For 2011 my intention is to come back, clean up some of the editing and old links and perhaps add additional content that I have found since doing this blog.

December 11, 1920

2010-12-11T22:34:00.000-06:00

R.B. Russell is released from prison, one year into his two year sentence.

29 March 1920 - The Robson Report Finally Public

2010-10-29T01:53:00.000-05:00

The Robson Report is finally made public (for background and a link ot the report).

Presented to the Provicne back on November 6, 1919 Robson found, much like the Mathers' Commission of earlier in the year, little evidence of Bolshevik revolution. Rather, he concludes, the strike was a "protest against conditions" that they faced and a "demand for relief":

"it is too much for me to say that the vast number of intelligent residents who went on strike were seditious or that they were either dull enough or weak enough to allow themselves to be led by seditionaries."

1 May, 1920 - Mayday Reaction to Jailing

2010-05-01T01:59:00.000-05:00

The New York Times: a strike of 15,000 coal miners in Nova Scotia, the men quitting work as a protest against the refusal of the authorities to release the Winnipeg strike leaders on bail, pending the hearing of their appeal to the higher courts.

Feb 20, 1920 - The Financial Cost

2010-02-20T01:29:00.004-06:00

A report released yesterday estimates the cost of the trials to-date to be $100,000, According to the Bank of Canada Inflation Calculator that would be $ 1,182,474.23 in 2009 dollars.

Also see:
"Legal Gentlemen Appointed by the Federal Government": the CanadianState, the Citizens' Committee of 1000, and Winnipeg's Seditious ConspiracyTrials of 1919–1920"

28 January 1921: Letter from F.J. Dixon to Meighen

2010-01-21T06:03:00.000-06:00

Dixon writes to Hugh Guthrie, Justice Minister and Arthur Meighen, now the Prime Minister, to remind them that Ivens, Queen and Armstrong, all of whom are MLA-elects, are still in jail and unless released:

We would emphasize at this time the discontent that is likely to be aroused in the minds of the voters who elected these men to public office, if they find their elected representatives are barred from performing their public function.

In case you're wondering ...

2009-12-09T04:38:00.002-06:00

There IS more 1919 to come ! My plan was to do this blog in real time which, upon reflection, doesn't work so great for the post-strike period. Over the hols I might speed up the remainder of 1919 and 1920 which includes the trails.

6 November 1919: The Robson Report

2009-11-06T01:50:00.001-06:00

The Robson Commission report is presented to the provincial government (for background and a link to the report).

Similar to the feds', Mathers Commission report of earlier in the year, Robson does not find much in the way of Bolshevik revolution. Rather, he concludes, the strike was a "protest against conditions" that workers faced and a "demand for relief":

"it is too much for me to say that the vast number of intelligent residents who went on strike were seditious or that they were either dull enough or weak enough to allow themselves to be led by seditionaries."

The government did not make the report public for another four months, after the trials of the strike leaders were complete.

General Strike Lecture 24 Sept '09

2009-09-22T00:26:00.001-05:00

Here's an Upcoming Lecture:

"The Winnipeg General Strike: Writing About the Citizens' Committee of 1000"

by Tom Mitchell, Archivist & Historian, Brandon University

WHEN: Thursday, 24 September 2009, 7:30 PM
WHERE: Archives & Special Collections, 330 Dafoe Library, U of M
COST: Free

This event is sponsored by Archives & Special Collections and the Association for Manitoba Archives. All are welcome!

Exhibit: 1919 The Ripple Effect of Fear

2009-09-09T11:40:00.002-05:00

Exhibit: Winnipeg's 1919 General Strike: The Ripple Effect of Fear

Martin Auditorium, Dalnavert Museum, 61 Carlton Street, Winnipeg.

This display, developed in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, showcases those who were in charge on either side and the consequences of the fear that gripped that era as witnessed in Winnipeg. Learn why this event was so significant at that time and what seeds were sown affecting our lives today.

7 September 1919: More Protest

2009-09-07T01:52:00.002-05:00

More protests:

Legal Beagles Part 2: Royal Commissions

2009-09-05T13:15:00.002-05:00

Another source of legal activity were the two main Royal Commissions happening in 1919.

Name: The Commission to Inquire into and Report upon Industrial Relations in Canada (often short-titled to the Royal Commission on Industrial Relations or the 'Mathers Commission')

Government: Dominion of Canada
Time of Activity: April - June 1919
Date of Report: July 1, 1919 (Tablled in House)
Chair: Thomas Graham Mathers
Detail: The Royal Commission to enquire into and report upon the causes and effects of the General Strike which recently existed in the City of Winnipeg for a period of six weeks, including the methods of calling and carrying on such strike

Name: The "Royal Commission to enquire into and report upon the causes and effects of the General Strike which recently existed in the City of Winnipeg for a period of six weeks, including the methods of calling and carrying on such strike" (often short-titled to the Royal Commission on the Winnipeg General Strike or 'The Robson Commission').

Government: Province of Manitoba
Time of Activity: July - November 1919
Date of Report: November 6, 1919 (not made public until March 20, 1920)
Chair: Hugh Amos Robson
Detail: That title sort of sums it up !

1 September 1919: Protests Renewed

2009-09-01T01:59:00.002-05:00

The Winnipeg Eight are still being held in prison awaiting trial. Protests for their release grow louder. The largest protest to-date was held September 1, 1919 as described in this article in the September 5th Western Labour News (to see full article).

1919 Legal Beagles Part 1

2009-08-30T01:07:00.000-05:00

The names of those who stood trial are still known, some celebrated, today. Post-strike there was another set of players to enter the arena: the legal teams. For them, these were not ordinary trials. They were a chance to make legal history.

Walter Pue, in a paper titled Cowboy Jurists & the Making of Legal Professionalism said of this era in Prairie law:

"Lawyers combined agendas which were explicitly moral and reforming with a profound restructuring of their profession. Their efforts to reform the curriculum of formal legal education was part of a cultural project, but so too was their desire to attain self-regulation, monopoly, professional independence, and plenary disciplinary powers."

Who were some of these lawyers ? Here are a few of the key players. Note that by going to their bios you may see the outcome of some of the trials yet to appear here !

Citizens Committee of 1000 lawyers:

Alfred Joseph "A.J." Andrews - Was mayor in 1898-99. He led the team for the Committee.

Issac Pitblado At the time he was a member and cousel for the Committee as well as the head of the Manitoba Law Society. The Isaac Pitblado Lectures have been held annually for almost 50 years.

Travers Sweatman - (no image) Famous for having defended Thomas Kelly during the Manitoba Legislative Scandal. He would later become a judge (source) nominated by A.J. Andrews (source)

James Bowes Coyne A member of the Aikins firm

Winnipeg Trades and Labor Council lawyers

Thomas J. Murray K.C. (no image) Represented Moses Chartinoff

Marcus Hyman - Defended the 'radical aliens', those born outside Canada, facing deportation by the the Board of Inquiry. Later in life he became an MLA and introduced The Manitoba Defamation Act (1934) - the first Canadian group libel law, and the only one until 1970 (source).

E.J. Murray (no image)

Reference:
All that I could find on-line were written by those on the side of labour. If anyone has a link to something from the other side or from a legal point of view please share !

"Repressive Measures": AJ Andrews, the Committee of 1000 and the Campaign Against Radicalism after the Winnipeg General Strike

"Legal Gentlemen Appointed by the Federal Government": the Canadian State, the Citizens' Committee of 1000, and Winnipeg's Seditious ConspiracyTrials of 1919–1920.

27 August, 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-08-27T06:58:00.000-05:00

The Strikers' Defence Bulletin was published in August to cover the trials and appeal for financial help. This is the only known copy to survive. It provides coverage of some of the proceedings, including the statements of some of the arrested.

August 1, 1919: The Winnipeg Eight

2009-08-01T19:11:00.003-05:00

Source

Following those arrested and what happened to them will be the next section of this blog. I will try to follow as many as I can, though there is less detail available on-line as there was for the actual strike itself.

One group that I certainly will follow are "The Winnipeg Eight". These strike leaders, who by now were household names, were all arrested / had warrants issued for their arrest on June 17, 1919. They faced multiple charges of sedition.

Sent to Stoney Mountain (see above photo) to await their trials as of August 1 they were still waiting in jail.

Those eight are:

William Ivens
Born: Barford, England, 1878

Former Methodist minister. Editor of the Western Labour News. Arrested June 17 on multiple counts of seditious conspiracy.

Robert Boyd "R.B." Russell
Born: Glasgow, Scotland, 1888

OBU delegate, union leader and member of Central Strike Committee. Arrested June 17 on multiple charges of seditious libel.

Richard J "Dick"Johns

Born: Cornwall, England, 1889.
CPR Machinist, Manitoba leader for the OBU. Arrest warrant issued June 17, (while he was in Montréal). Charged with seditious conspiracy.

John Queen

Born: Lanarkshire, Scotland, 1882

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Alderman for Ward 5 (North End). Member of Social Democratic Party and business agent / advertising manager for the Western Labor News. Arrested June 17 on multiple charges of sedition.

Abram Albert "A.A." Heaps

Born: Leeds, England, 1885

Member of Social Democratic Party, oversaw operations for the strike committee. Arrested June 17, 1919 on charges of sedition.

George Armstrong

Born: 1870 Scarborough, Ontario, 1870

Union Organizer, member of Socialist Party, prominent Marxist. Arrested June 17 on seven counts of seditious conspiracy

Roger Bray

Born: Sheffield, England

Butcher, Lay Methodist preacher, spokesman for returned soldiers and leader of veterans’ parades. Arrested June 17 on multiple charges of seditious conspiracy

William A. (Bill) Pritchard

Born: Salford, England, 1888.
B.C.-based, editor of socialist newspaper and OBU delegate. Warrant issued for arrest for sedition, captured on a train in Calgary while returning to B.C.

Strike! The Musical July 30th - August 5th

2009-07-31T00:21:00.001-05:00

July 30th - August 5th, 2009

The first annual run of Strike! at Winnipeg's Canwest Performing Arts Centre at the Forks, Winnipeg. Show times for this 8-show limited engagement are 8:00 PM daily with an additional 2:00 PM Sunday matinée on August 2nd.

For More Info

Reconstruction from the Viepoint of Labor

2009-07-30T03:48:00.000-05:00

After the strike, J.S. Woodworth released Reconstruction From the Viewpoint of Labor.

The time has come now when we must figuratively sit down and ask ourselves two questions: 1. what do we want and 2. how are we going to get it.

Citizens Committee Briefing Book

2009-07-26T03:08:00.001-05:00

In 1920 the Citizens Committee of 1000 published a 30 page briefing booklet about the strike.

A goal of the Committee was to share "best practises" with other communities that are, or may, deal with large-scale labour unrest. During and after the strike members would make presentations (see earlier entry for Moose Jaw).
This booklet outlines the history of the strike from their point of view. It also provides great detail about the organization and activities of the committee. The final section is a detailed "how to" guide when it comes to dealing with unrest and how to set up a civilian government should the unrest turn to a general strike.

Workers' Defence Fund and Liberty Bonds

2009-07-21T19:19:00.005-05:00

Set up after the arrests during the strike, the Workers' Defence Fund appealed for money to go toward court costs. This is from the June 26 Enlightener:

Eventually your donation would get you a paper "bond".

Front and back of bond. Source

July 20, 1919: Defence Fund Fundraisers

2009-07-20T01:42:00.000-05:00

From Western Labour News, July 11, 1919

17 July 1919 - The Robson Commission

2009-07-17T02:17:00.000-05:00

While the trials were going through the courts the Justice H.A. Robson's Royal Commission was sputtering to get started.

Manitoba Free Press 17 July 1919

July 1919 - 'The Robson Commission'

2009-07-12T09:45:00.001-05:00

The "Royal Commission to enquire into and report upon the causes and effects of the General Strike which recently existed in the City of Winnipeg for a period of six weeks, including the methods of calling and carrying on such strike" (often short-titled to the Royal Commission on the Winnipeg General Strike or "The Robson Commission") was created in July 1919 by the Manitoba Government and chaired by Hugh Amos Robson.

The report, which can be read in it's entirety here, was underway but would not report back to the Province until November 6, 1919 and the report would not be made public until March 29, 1920 (I won't release the results until then either !).

Image source and a more detailed bio:
The Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba, 1870-1950 By Dale Brawn, Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History

July 1919 - Woodsworth's Incarceration In His Own Words

2009-07-11T00:37:00.001-05:00

Woodsworth was arrested the night of June 21st. In July 1919, while out on bail, he wrote of his time at Stony Mountain.

Arrest Watch: 7 July 1919

2009-07-07T22:35:00.001-05:00

From the Alberta Non-Partisan, July 7, 1919, Page 12
Life and Work: The arrested Strike Leaders and Democracy

The strike is not done yet ! A musical interlude !

2009-07-06T02:35:00.002-05:00

Just taking a breather until mid-July. There are trials and other aftermath still cover !

If you did not catch the outdoor performance of Danny Schur's Strike The Musical, or if you did and you are till tapping your toes, you can catch excerpts on Weds July 8 from Noon to 1 pm at Centre Court, Portage Place.

This is all in aid of the full length theatrical debut from Jul 30 - Aug 5 at the Canwest Performing Arts Centre (Theatre for Young People) venue at The Forks. Info for that can be found here.

2 July 1919 - War Vets Resume Meetings

2009-07-02T02:32:00.000-05:00

As they promised at the beginning of the strike, the Imperial Veterans did not meet until a week after the end date of the strike.

Arrest Watch - Raw Data

2009-07-01T20:54:00.000-05:00

Over the weeks a number of people were arrested - perhaps hundreds.

I am creating an 'arrest watch' list from names taken from articles trying to match them up with their outcomes. Due to the numbers I will not reference every article that I found them in but here is a sampling of some of them:

Manitoba Free Press June 25, 1919

20 June 1919

Telegram Jun 27, 1919

June 17, 1919

Winnipeg Telegram June 18, 1919

Winnipeg Telegram June 23, 1919

Manitoba Free Press June 23, 1919

1 July 1919 - 'The Mathers Commission'

2009-07-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

The Commission to Inquire into and Report upon Industrial Relations in Canada, often short-titled to the Royal Commission on Industrial Relations or the 'Mathers Commission' was struck in March 1919 by the Borden Government. It's chair was Thomas Graham Mathers, Chief Justice of Manitoba.

The Commission's mandate was to inquire and report back on the following:

(1) To consider and make suggestions for securing a permanent improvement in the relations between employers and employees. (2) To recommend means for ensuring that industrial conditions affecting relations between employers and employees shall be reviewed from time to time by those concerned, with a view to improving conditions in the future. (source)

Between April and June 1919 the Commission visited 28 municipalities and heard from 486 witnesses. The Winnipeg dates were May 10 - 13, 1919. The labour side wanted little part in a government inquest and there was not a great deal of representation. The side of industry, however, took advantage of the hearings to air their grievances. (see Conflict in Winnipeg p 107)

Of course the Commission was still in process when the Winnipeg General Strike took place. By the time it's final report was ready and tabled in the House is was July 1, 1919.

Their findings included the fact that the 'chief causes of discontentment were: unemployment, the rising cost of living, long working hours, lack of collective bargaining rights, the housing shortage, restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, and unequal educational opportunities'. (source)

Related:
The Commission Report (also printed as a supplement to the Labour Gazette, July 1919) is not yet available online.

Photo source and more detailed bio of Mathers:
The Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba, 1870-1950: a biographical history

Saturday, 28 June 1919

2009-06-28T01:56:00.001-05:00

The Winnipeg Telegram publishes it's final strike edition. Interestingly, under the headline "World Rejoices at Peace", it carries a story about the formal end of the war and a call for 'peace' in the city as well:

"Now that the strike is officially over let us make reasonable haste to make sure that it is over at the earliest possible moment".

Friday, 27 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-27T00:23:00.002-05:00

The Western Labor News returns to the newsstand !

- It begins with a front page story detailing why the strike was called off. The majority of the Strike Committee felt that an absolute victory at this point was 'hopeless'.

- The paper appeals for funds to continue operating.

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition

- Man accidentally shot during riot seeks restitution from city.

- In an editorial, they warn that there is 'still danger'

- and the streetcars are ready for service.
- It's expected that 180 of the 220 members of the police force will be reinstated. The other 40 are still being considered.

Manitoba Free Press

Reports that while one committee has wound down
another is continuing it's work assisting other centres in the West still having labour disputes:

Thursday, 26 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-26T11:00:00.002-05:00

The Enlightener

- Reports that indignation is being expressed by many over the calling off of the strike and that they will "demand a statement from their representatives on the general Strike Committee as to their high handed action in calling off the General Strike".

- Railway workers, late comers to the strike, will be voting on a motion to keep the strike going.

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition

- Reports that strike leaders would instead focus on constitutional means to get their way by running more Labor candidates in the next civic election.

- Acting Chief Newton's reorganization of the police force is coming along and will be a "model force" once completed. Former police can apply for their jobs and each will be considered on a case by case basis.

The New York Times

Arrest Watch - 25 June 1919

2009-06-25T13:30:00.001-05:00

Over the course of the strike a number of arrests were made. The two main batches were on June 17/18 and June 21/22. The proceedings of these trial will be followed daily along with other events.

A summary of all those arrested will appear here in a couple of days.

For June 25:

Manitoba Free Press

Wednesday, 25 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-25T01:21:00.003-05:00

Today's official labour paper is The Enlightener and the Front Page says it all:
The Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition
- On their front page calls the strike "a miserable failure"

Then spend a bit of time correcting items from yesterday:

- Norris publicly denies that a strike commission, as reported yesterday.
- Justice Robson denies knowledge that he has been appointed to the commission

Winnipeg Free Press
Is a little less angry-sounding in their main editorial. They call it a waste of one of the nicest summers in memory and:

"...if the citizens - all the citizens - of this town could get a human view of each other, if they could see the children swelter and suffer because of adult foolishness and wrongheadedness - the citizens of Winnipeg might agree to damn the strike and abolish it forthwith"

Wednesday, 25 June 1919 - Western Impact

2009-06-25T01:06:00.001-05:00

With the announcement of the end of the Winnipeg General Strike, sympathetic strikes in Winnipeg began to loose steam.

In Saskatoon and Victoria they are waiting for official word. Edmonton would call their strike off for June 27th. Calgary's had already begun to peter out and ended last night. Brandon tried to keep it going with another strike vote tomorrow but by the end of June they, too, ran out of steam.

Free Press June 25 1919

Tuesday , 24 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-24T20:13:00.003-05:00

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition

- Reports that the death toll is rising from the riots. Steve Schezerbanowicz, shot in the legs, has died from gangrene infection at General Hospital. From East Selkirk, Schezerbanowicz has been residing at 232 Lizzie Street during the strike.

There is also the story of Robert Murdock, a worker at the pumping plant, was severely beaten by a group of up to 30 men. He was found in Cecil Rhodes School yard and brought to General Hospital. The story references that this is not the first mass attack on a worker and implies that strikers may be behind it.

- Justice H.A. Robson is believed to be named to the commission looking into the causes of the strike,something that labour had asked for. Ottawa still stands frim on NOT dealing with the matter any further until the strike is called off.

- The editorial supports the "suppressing" of the Western labor News after seeing yesterday's edition. Many stories were printed merely to incite people intor rioting. They were even advertising illegal meetings !

The Western Star

Is the labour paper today after the Labor News was shut down. The below notice was sent and acting editor J.S. Woodworth, who was sitting in for the arrested Ivens, was himself arrested on Main Street near the McLaren Hotel.
- This is the final eddition that had them cut off.

- A defence fund has been created for those arrested.

Monday, 23 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-23T01:46:00.002-05:00

Western Labour News

- Is Defiant. The headline screams: STRIKE UNBROKEN
- Outlines their version of what happened on Bloody Saturday
- Declares that the strike is ready to sizzle, not fizzle

The Winnipeg Citizen

- Does not publish again after June 20

The Winnipeg Telegram

- Has talk of additional arrests:

-

Monday, 23 June 1919 - The Riot Act

2009-06-23T00:12:00.000-05:00

Bloody Saturday - The Fallout

2009-06-22T19:23:00.004-05:00

- The immediate aftermath was nearly 100 arrests (this partial list from Manitoba Free Press 23 June 1919):

This is a list of those injured enough to be admitted to General Hospital (Telegram, 23 June). The lone immediate death was that of Mike Skodelik (later identified as Mike Sokolowski) of Henry Avenue. Steve Schezerbanowes of East Selkirk who was shot in the legs would die days later from infection.
- Minister Robertson declares that the Federal government will not resume negotiations until the strike is called off. He also distances the feds from what took place: "It was purely an action of the provincial and civic authorities" he tells the Telegram.

- Streetcar service was called off after the riot in what the Telegram called a "grim mistake" as it shows a sign of weakness.

Bloody Saturday - In the Mayor's Words

2009-06-22T19:06:00.004-05:00

This statement was issued the night of Bloody Saturday and published Monday June 23rd in the Telegram:

Sunday, 22 June 1919 - The International Newsstand

2009-06-22T01:40:00.004-05:00

Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 22 June 1919

New York Times, 22 June 1919

- Also an in-depth feature "Bolshevism in Winnipeg"

Chicago Tribune, Front Page:

Winnipeg, Man., June 21.- Winnipeg, strike torn since May 15, is under martial law tonight. After bloody fighting this afternoon between thousands of strikers and the city and provincial police, in which one man was killed, several injured probably fatally, and more than a score hurt...

Saturday Afternoon, 21 June 1919 - Bloody Saturday Begins

2009-06-21T00:23:00.008-05:00

10:30 am: A delegation from the pro-strike Veterans meet with Mayor Gray and Minister Robinson at the Royal Alexandra Hotel to try to reach a compromise about today's planned march.

The Veterans want to march from City Hall to the Royal Alex, (where they hope Robertson will address them), and then on to the Citizens' Committee headquarters.

The Mayor advises that such a march is against the proclamation of a few days before and that force could be used to break it up. The delegation would only agree to call off the march if the strike was ended by 2 pm and the streetcars that were scheduled to run that day were taken off-track.

No resolution is reached.

1:45 pm: Police Chief Newton contacts Mayor Gray at the hotel to say that a large crowd is gathering.

The mayor advises Newton to inform Commissioner Perry of the RNWMP and to have his Specials and Perry's Mounties police on the streets.

2:30 pm: At Main and William a large crowd is gathered waiting to form the march.

A streetcar travels from the north through the crowd. Angered by the gesture, as streetcar service was shut down due to the strike, they surround it but the car makes it though the crowd.

Moments later, another streetcar traveling north is not so lucky. It is pulled from the wires and trashed. Unable to overturn it, the streetcar is set on fire.

Meanwhile, the NWMP were set up near Portage and Main and start off on their first, slow, pass through the crowd. Some insults are hurled, and a missile or two, but it is uneventful.

On the return pass from James Street back toward Portage one officer's horse trips on the bumper of the trashed streetcar. The officer is dragged and a member of the crowd begins to attack him. At this point officers draw their weapons.

2:35 pm: Mayor Gray, looking on from the balcony at City Hall, reads the riot act and gives the crowd 30 minutes to depart. As he turns to go back in the sound of the first shot is heard - ti si believed that the RNWMP fired a volley in the air.

At that point, chaos breaks out. Some in the crowd are frightened and stampede for safety. Some fights break out between strikers and policemen, missiles are hurled at those on horseback and more shots are fired.

2:45 pm: The Mayor leaves for Fort Osborne Barracks to ask Ketchen to send in the militia consisting of cavalry and motorized machine gun units.

Slowly, but surely, the troops would clear the streets. A combination of military, special constables and RNWMP would stay on guard until midnight.

That day there were a number of people shot and injured and scores arrested, the full extent of which would not be known until later in the day.

Sequence of events from Confrontation at Winnipeg.
Click on images for source information.

Saturday, 21 June 1919 (a.m.) - Proclamation

2009-06-21T00:09:00.004-05:00

Source, Winnipeg Free Press (morning edition)

Saturday, 21 June 1919 (a.m.) - The Morning Newsstand

2009-06-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

As it often does, manitobia.ca and it's newspaper list has gone down for the weekend delaying some of the 21 June coverage.... ?! Hopefully it will be up soon ....

Western Labor News

Winnipeg Citizen - No edition today

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition

Winnipeg Free Press
- gives the sense that there is an end coming soon to the strike

Their editorial for today begins:

Friday, 20 June 1919

2009-06-20T01:41:00.003-05:00

Western Labor News

- Returned soldiers' committee calls for a large rally tomorrow at Market Square behind city hall.

- Though reports say that some sympathetic strikes, like the one in Vancouver, are starting to crack, new ones begin such as at the shipyards in Trois Rivieres Quebec.

Western Labor News - Special Edition

- Six strike leaders have been released.

- A reminder that The Strike is Still On ! "We've held out for five weeks. We can hold out a few days longer", (while negotiations take place - see Telegram).

The Winnipeg Citizen

- There is Greater Work to Do

The Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition

- More on the release of the strike leaders. Only the British born are released on $2,000 bail and a promise to remain 'inactive'.

- In the late edition they proclaim that "Strike May End Withing 36 Hours" as negotiations begin today between metal workers and their employers.

- Prime Minister Borden explains in question period that the strike leaders will be tried by jury, not special committee. The only committee involved would be from Immigration who will deal with the foreign born leaders.

Thursday, 19 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-19T00:57:00.001-05:00

Western Labor News

- Headline: "Why the Star Chamber ? Have British Citizens No Rights ?"

- Includes a timely story of precedence:

The Winnipeg Citizen

- Is also advertising that "the city has every appearance of a return to normal" with the return of the streetcars.

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition

- Editorializes about the General Strike's Futility

Wednesday, 18 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-18T01:52:00.005-05:00

Western Labor News

Did not react with outrage, instead going for a positive spin:

"F.J Dixon said the men arrested had been highly honored by being given the crown of martyrdom. their only crime was the advocacy of greater freedom for their fellow men....The committee of one thousand had set out to crush labor but they were attempting an impossible task"

The Winnipeg Citizen

Downplayed the arrests. Their front page headline "The Citizens Committee and It's Work" is a four page story, boring compared to the bombast found in recent editions. It goes through in detail what the committee had done since May 15 - from arranging food deliveries to manning the water works with volunteers.

"Having pursued a useful purpose with a great deal of success the Citizens' Committee of One Thousand will continue it's existence and its organization until the whole issue of the sympathy strike and the throttling of whole communities is settled satisfactorily ..."

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition

- Gives the impression that things are getting back to normal. They declare that streetcars are back in service, though admit that the number was only 14 for a very limited time. They feature on the front page a story about a 'special' taking on traffic direction duties at Portage and Main for part of the day, (under the watchful eye of a number of other special constables on the sidewalk, mind you). "The traffic at this hour was very heavy and considerable difficulty was found regulating it"

- An editorial, "Belated But Welcome", shows the important symbolism of the streetcar during the strike. It was pretty much the only visible city service that did not resume at least partial service after May 15. The lack of streetcars not only meant a daily inconvenience for every part of the city but was was seen as a sign of failure:

"The failure of the (Winnipeg Electric) Company to re-establish its service was apparently accepted by the city as though there were no way out when the striking motormen failed to appear..."

- Those arrested will not be getting bail NOR will they be having a trial: "Instead the evidence against them, secured by agents of the department of justice, will be examined by a board of inquiry appointed at Ottawa and sent up from Ottawa".

- And just to show that even when all this is going on, the regular life of the city continues, some notes from city hall:

- Plans for the new Maryland Bridge are Complete:
- Alderman says tall advertising billboards should be restricted downtown

New York Times

"Arrests of strike agitators and a raid on the Labor Temple early this morning brought the strike situation here to a dramatic climax today".

Wednesday, 18 June 1919 - The Arrested

2009-06-18T01:13:00.002-05:00

William Plewman, Toronto Star reporter, asks J.S. Woodsworth for his opinion shortly after the arrests: “It is a stupid, high-handed move. Already the workers feel that the Government is not truly representative, that it represents only a section and not all the community.”

Plewman:“Will the strike collapse now that the leaders are removed?”

Woodsworth: “Not at all. The Government can’t arrest thirty-five thousand strikers..." (source)

MB Archives. Source

In all, ten were arrested for "seditious utterances":

R.B. Russell - Secretary of the Metals Trade Council

Rev. Bill Ivens - Editor of the Western Labour News
John Queen - Alderman, City of Winnipeg
A. A. Heaps - Alderman, City of Winnipeg
George Armstrong - Building Trades Council

R.E. Bray - organizer, returned soldiers demonstrations
Moses Charitinoff - Editor, Ukrainian socialist newspaper

Moses (Solomon) Almazoff - Student, editor of radical newspaper

Mike Berenzuk - Labour organizer

Oscar Schoppelrie - Labour organizer

Tuesday, 17 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-17T00:56:00.007-05:00

Western Labour News
- Says not so fast. Labour has NOT agreed to the definition of collective bargaining

- They remind supporters that even though they may see light at the end of the tunnel that they must not get too optimistic as the actual negotiations have not begun yet. "At present, we must carry on".

Winnipeg Citizen
- Also vows to "Stay With It"

- They print a full page article about yesterday's 'accepted' definition of collective bargaining as a 'matter of historical record' and proof that collective bargaining is not an important item for Labour after all. it is really revolution that they want.

- There's also a small banner in the bottom margin of their front page:

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition
- Has the big story of the day: late night arrests.

-Those arrested (for a more detailed list see)

Monday, 16 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-16T23:40:00.005-05:00

No Labor News today as they published yesterday. How about substituting the Calgary Herald instead ? (Sorry, I can't find another labour paper for this day !):

Calgary Daily Herald

Winnipeg Citizen
- Has a "few sharp words regarding agitators"

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition
- Is reporting today that an important milestone has been reached. The Iron Trades have agreed to a definition of "collective bargaining" and the Federal Labour Minister, Gideon Robertson, is said to accepted the definition. In a rather simplistic conclusion they declare that the strike must almost be at the end.

- The Police Commission will ensure that new police are protected in their jobs if old members start to return.

- A changing of the guard.

15 - 16 June 1919 - Weather Woes

2009-06-16T01:39:00.008-05:00

A fierce wind storm last night caused a great deal of damage in and around the city, (part 2). "The worst hurricane" in living memory broke windows, flattened fences and sheds and toppled trees.

Telephone and hydro poles snapped and the power loss was made worse by the toppling of transmission towers and damage to power plants.

Roofs were blown off of many buildings, including the McPhillips water pumping station (Winnipeg's central water supply) and the Childrens Hospital

On Main Street, a row of parked cars are reported to have been blown across the street, some overturned. Eaton's had six of their large plate glass windows broken. "With the noise like the opening of an artillery barrage" the main sign for The Bay toppled into the street.

The worst of the wind was over by 9 pm Sunday and it rained throughout the night causing additional damage.

There were only a few reports of injuries. One being the ex-police chief MacPherson and his wife. Their car had been hit by flying debris.

Calgary Daily Herald, June 16 1919

It would take some time to clean up from the storm, especially as the utilities were being manned by volunteers. It was expected that a limited number of streetcars would begin running in the next day or two but that has been put off given the damage to streetcar wires and electrical facilities at Main and Assiniboine.

Note: the winds gusted at 84 mph (135 kph). On June 7, 1954 another devastating wind storm hit the province but it still did not break the 1919 record.

Main Street

2009-06-16T01:27:00.000-05:00

Aliens

2009-06-15T10:30:00.001-05:00

Letter from Great War Veterans Association to the Winnipeg Trades and Labor Council and Citizens' Committee of One Thousand Re: the definition of "undesirable aliens"

Sunday, 15 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-15T01:11:00.001-05:00

The only paper to publish today is the Western Labour News.

Some stories:

- Is Winnipeg Ruined ? The editors give their take answering the question that some businessmen have floated. That this will be a black eye for Winnipeg that will prevent business from coming or expanding.

- An account of last night's 8,000 strong meeting in Victoria Park. J.S. Woodsworth, and W.A. Pritchard were two of the presenters.

Bray addresses supporters

- A reminder that the only barbers in town who are not scabs are the ones working in the basement of the Labour Temple.

Saturday, 14 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-14T02:38:00.002-05:00

Western Labor News for June 14
- More details on the resolution passed at last night's successful strike vote of the railway firemen and engineers locals. It was forwarded to the city today.

Winnipeg Citizen for June 14
- Interviews a 'mole' ! William Bathie, said to have been a strike committee 'insider' who left because revolution was at the bottom of the strike and that German money was funding it, speaks to The Citizen.

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition for June 14
- The N.Y.-based Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen orders their members back to work. The Telegram has a copy of the memo sent to the local leadership. Their concern is that one city can disrupt existing agreements with rail companies across the continent.

(For more on some of the US rail fraternities of the day).

13 June 1919 - Railway Men Now Out

2009-06-13T01:35:00.001-05:00

Due to international affiliations, some locals were asked not to strike by their umbrella organizations. In Winnipeg that included car men with the railways and typographers (in print shops). Today, the railway men split with their International Brotherhood and joined the general strike.

The New York Times Reports:

Railroad men Now Out In Winnipeg; Nevertheless Mayor Gray Intimates Strike Settlement Is Coming Soon.
WINNIPEG, Jun 13 (NY Times) - Settlement of the Winnipeg strike this week was intimated this afternoon by Mayor Gray. When he was asked if the latest conciliation movement was succeeding he said: "I may have big news for you within twenty-four hours."(more - pdf)

Friday, 13 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-13T01:01:00.005-05:00

Western Labor News for June 13, 1919

- A "Birdseye View" of the strike

- Labor is getting wind that things may come to a head soon.

Winnipeg Citizen June 13, 1919

Calls for 'no matter what measures needed' to be taken to end the strike. An Awakening is Coming is today's headline.

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition June 13, 1919

- Car men at the Railways, who until now stayed on the job at the request of their international union, have voted to join the strike tonight at 6 pm. Firemen are said to do the same.

- An editorial says that the time has come to read the riot act now that blood has been shed.

Thursday, 12 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-13T00:33:00.008-05:00

Western Labor News for June 12, 1919

- Rioting at Portage and Main. Mayor quoted as saying "By God, I'm responsible for law and order and I'll maintain it"

- An open letter from JS Woodsworth to Winnipeg labour."In reality, this strike has nothing to do with Revolution. It is an attempt to meet a very pressing and immediate need....They are out for higher wages."

Winnipeg Citizen for June 12, 1919

- Runs a Chicago Tribune Editorial that "Canada's sympathetic strike is losing ground"

Winnipeg Telegram for June 12, 1919

- Police move in to arrest one of the "aliens" involved in the Higgins and Main riot yesterday, the one that saw a constable shot. As the police were leading him to the paddy wagon a crowd intervened and the man is lose.

Great War Veterans demonstration at City Hall

2009-06-12T01:23:00.001-05:00

Title: Great War Veterans demonstration at City Hall

Source: Archives du Manitoba, Winnipeg Strike 5, N12296
Year: 1919

Wednesday, 11 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-11T01:06:00.005-05:00

The papers are all about last night's rioting...

Western Labor News for June 11

Winnipeg Citizen for June 11
- Last night saw "A Riot Born of Revolution"

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition for June 11

- A Telegram reader upset by 'bohunk' riots:

A school lesson on Fred Coppins' injuries can be found here in pdf. It includes excerpts from newspaper reports.

The New York Times for June 11
- "Riot and violence broke loose on the streets of Winnipeg today. For three hours the strikers fought a pitched battle with the special constabulary in the heart of the city, at Main Street and Portage Avenue, while from windows and roofs of office buildings for three blocks Winnipeg looked on". (full article in pdf)

Wednesday, 11 June 1919 - Riot and Proclamation

2009-06-11T00:01:00.003-05:00

The proclamation was issued after a riot last night.

A number of people were hurt including recently returned V.C. Frederick Coppins, acting as a special mounted constable. It's hard to tell what exacly happened from reading the newspapers (also see today's Newsstand).

A Telegram article says that he was both "...dragged from his horse by aliens who started murderously kicking him" but two paragraphs further down "... as he was turning, the horse stumbled and fell, throwing Coppins" and then he was beaten.

As for his condition, The Citizen reports that he is dying in hospital and that "He was not expected to make it until morning". The Telegram is more upbeat "Unless complications set it doctors hold out hope for his recovery".

The Citizens' Committee have this ad about Coppins in today's Telegram:

Another Special Constable injured is T.S. Morrison of Ruby Street who is recovering in General Hospital from a gunshot wound to the leg. The Telegram says that a man driving by Higgins and Main came across a scuffle between a crowd and constables. He pulled over and shot with the intent to stop the fight and protect the officers. Accounts say that teh fighting did stop !

One of the three 'Austrian aliens' involved in the brawl with offiers was beaten with police batons "having his head severely damaged".

Tuesday, 10 June 1919

2009-06-10T23:43:00.002-05:00

Photos from the riots of 10 June 1919. Source Unknown (I believe they're Foote from UofM Trib index).

Tuesday, 10 June 1919 - The Chief goes, too

2009-06-10T01:28:00.002-05:00

Chief Donald MacPherson, a 15 year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Department and chief since 1911, is ordered to take a three month administrative leave to allow for a new acting chief to 'reorganize'. MacPherson refuses and, like his force yesterday, is dismissed.

Chief Constable Donald MacPherson

The official statement from the Police Commission:

The new acting chief, Chris H. Newton is a 20 year member of the force and was deputy chief under MacPherson. According to a Winnipeg Free Press stpory he had been offered the pisitoion of chief in 1911 but declined, making way for MacPherson.

Chief Constable Chris H Newton

For more on the Winnipeg Police during the Strike and click on the photos.

Tuesday, 10 June 1919 - A few good men

2009-06-10T01:12:00.001-05:00

The following ad is in today's Winnipeg Free Press. Note that you apply to the now deposed Chief Constable !

Despite the offer to re-hire police officers if thy denounce their association and refuse to ever strike, only 22 of the original members sign back onto the force. In the night a new force of special constables, referred to as "specials", are sworn in.

Tuesday, 10 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-10T01:05:00.001-05:00

Western Labor News forJune 10, 1919

Winnipeg Citizen for June 10, 1919

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition for June 10, 1919

9 June 1919 - Out With the Force

2009-06-09T01:06:00.000-05:00

Tempers have been simmering at city hall over the police force.

Officials fear that the unionized police force may walk out in sympathy with the general strike. The addition of special constables and federal police to city streets has caused tensions between forces.

The Police Commission refused to deal with the police union and issued an ultimatum: that members of the force must sign a declaration renouncing their union membership and that they will not participate in a general strike. The members wouldn't sign the declaration and, as a result, the entire 277 member Winnipeg Police Force is fired by Resolution of Dismissal passed by council today:

Also see Winnipeg Telegram Police Force Fired

Monday, 9 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-09T01:02:00.003-05:00

Western Labor News for June 9, 1919
- The "Greatest meeting ever held" in Winnipeg last night as Woodsworth addresses 10,000 at Victoria Park.

Winnipeg Citizen for June 9, 1919
- Today is a compendium of sorts. Under the headline "The Winnipeg Revolutionary Strike" a full 12 pages, with not a picture in all, outlining the Citizens' full position on the strike from the beginning.

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition for June 9, 1919
- Premier Norris' Cabinet calls for the Alien Act to be passed by parliament to deal with the "foreign agitator and alien enemy of Canada"
- The Walker Theatre closes for June due to the stage hand strike.
- More want ads with a reminder:

Sunday, 8 June 1919 - Psst...looking for a job ?!

2009-06-08T01:41:00.000-05:00

The papers don't publish today but if you have yesterday's Telegram look at all the jobs on the go now - permanent ones, too:
They might be hiring for Grand Beach soon as the place isn't ready for summer visitors yet due to the strike:

Saturday, 7 June 1919

2009-06-07T02:17:00.002-05:00

Western Labor News

Winnipeg Citizen

"This Strike Being Dictated from New York"

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition

"Mayor Addresses Strikers !"

Friday, 6 June 1919 - Law and Order

2009-06-06T02:01:00.002-05:00

Government leaders are putting into place new law and order provisions.

In the premier's office yesterday a meeting with Premier Norris, General Huntley Ketchen commander of military forces in Manitoba, Commissioner Aylesworth Perry of the NWMP and other authorities "plans were completed for the introduction of military rule in Winnipeg". Discussions also included military delivery of food to rural areas.

Ketchen

Perry

Ketchen is a tough-talker, declaring that he will restore order. The current situation, a patchwork of regular police, volunteer police and special constables is not ideal for keeping order as "too many mistakes are being made" and that mistakes could cost lives.

After the declaration from Mayor Gray yesterday it is noted that the Specials are ready to break up street parades. When it was rumoured that a march might be called for today a Telegraph reported quotes the mayor as saying "Tell the OC to have all of his mean ready and the mounted police in their saddles". A parade never materialized.

Friday, 6 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-05T23:55:00.011-05:00

Western Labor News
- Today's front page shows how large, and eventful, the marches are becoming. One story is of tells of "Ten Thousand Marchers" and that a "clash" was narrowly averted.
- Another story openly accuses the Committee of 1000 of having "armed thugs" watching the marches ready to cause trouble in the crowd. It tells of one such man being arrested and the mayor chasing the paddy-wagon down Main street demanding that the man be released from custody. A scuffle ensues when the Mayor leaves his car.

The front page also carries this notice for strikers:

Winnipeg Citizen
- Again uses the "child murderer" tag to describe the Strike Committee, accusing them of wooing dairy workers to consider strike action just days after a 'truce' was reached allowing the delivery of milk to resume.

- They, too, tell the story of the Mayor intervening in the arrest of an armed man on Main Street. Apparently, the man was a federal officer.

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition
- Carries the headline "Mayor Gray is Assaulted", also recounting the arrest story.

- One of the strike's prominent women leaders, Helen Armstrong, appeared in court today after an altercation between strikers and newsies.

- Today's editorial "The Influx of Undesirables" says that the increasing unrest of the marches is attracting "professional agitators and crooks" from across the country to Winnipeg. The "riff-raff" of various vices are coming because they know there is no police force in place.

The New York Times
- "Winnipeg Quieter with Soldiers' Aid"
The strengthening of Winnipeg's police force by 1,000 war veterans as special constables caused an increase in minor strike disturbances today. There were personal encounters but no serious demonstrations occurred.

Thursday, 5 June 1919 - The Great War Veterans' Association Takes Sides

2009-06-05T01:07:00.009-05:00

Tensions have been growing within the ranks of returned Veterans over their position on the strike. By this time, there are pro and anti strike Veteran groups marching.

The Great War Veterans' Association was established in 1917 after a number of failed or modest attempts by the government to assist soldiers upon their return:

"... the returning soldiers began to create their own organizations. The most powerful of these was the Great War Veterans' Association. Through these organizations, the soldiers pressured the government to give preference to veterans when hiring and to increase pensions for common soldiers, widows, and the disabled". source

Officially, the GWVA was neutral but that changed today. At a boisterous meeting at the GWVA hall the following resolution was put forth from the floor over the attempts of the chair to overrule it.
It passed with the required majority. The GWVA is now on-side.

The next day it was announced that GWVA executive voted to cancel all meetings of the organization until fourteen days after the strike was declared over.

Also see "From Great War Veterans' Assocition to the Legion"

Thursday, 5 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-05T01:00:00.003-05:00

Western Labor News

- Today's big news, of course, is the endorsement of the Great War Veterans' Association for the strike.

- Reporting on Tuesday night's Strike Committee meeting, this interesting bit: "The time has come when the strike must be taken out of the hands of Winnipeg alone" as it now involves "the whole Dominion" and negotiations with Ottawa

Winnipeg Citizen

- Accuses the Strike Committee of "An attempt at wilful murder". It stems from minutes they obtained from a strike subcommittee explaining why, in part, the committee dropped the "Permitted by Authority of..." card system for milk delivery and are now allowing the city to set up milk depots. "Their action was upon the point of killing babies" the story accuses.

- This small notification also appears:

Telegram Strike Edition

- Has the first major report of physical violence so far. Most takes place as pro and anit returned solders marches meet near city hall. "Rioting and street fighting ran rampant in Winnipeg today for over an hour" the Telegram reports. No serious injuries were reporte. Eight arrests were made.

- More on the milk and bread depots being set up by the city. The Telgram interprets it as a sign that the strike may be ending.

Thursday, 5 June 1919

2009-06-05T00:57:00.005-05:00

With concern over the growing numbers of marchers, the Mayors of Winnipeg and St. Boniface order:

“In virtue of the authority vested in me, I do hereby order that all persons do refrain from taking part in any parades.”(source)

Wednesday, 4 June 1919 - Strike May End Soon ?

2009-06-04T03:50:00.000-05:00

Interesting item in today's Red Deer News. The sympathetic strike vote is taking a long time to organize. Why ? Many feel that the Winnipeg Strike will be settled very soon and by the time they organize, there will be nothing left to support.

Wednesday, 4 June 1919 - Anti-strike veterans

2009-06-04T03:34:00.002-05:00

Preparing to march, June 4, 1919

By this time the sight of 'pro-strike' veterans' daily marches to the legislature prompted those on the other side of the issue to mobilize. Today was one of the largest of the first 'anti-strike' marches by veterans.

Veterans reach city hall

For a good essay on the returning soldiers, including a summary of the 'pro-strike' and 'anti- strike' sides see Idionng's The Third Force: Returned Soldiers in the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 (it's also the image source for the 2 MB Archives photos above).

June 4

2009-06-04T01:01:00.001-05:00

Better image from the Great war Veterans Association Parade of June 4, 1919.

Tuesday, 3 June 1919 - Marches Get Larger

2009-06-03T03:09:00.006-05:00

The daily parade of veterans to the Legislature continue:

On June 3 a parade formed again in Market Square, just behind the City Hall, but soon returned to nearby Victoria Park, where Roger E. Bray, a socialist who had become the spokesman for the returned soldiers, announced that the soldiers had met with the Premier also with unsatisfactory results. source

As reported in the New York Times (pdf):

Premier Norris of Manitoba and his Cabinet were publicly called on to resign by speakers of the delegation of returned soldiers, strikers, and strike sympathizers, who took possession of the Provincial Legislative Chamber today for the third time

One paragraph in that article mentions that the protesters tore down the sign out front of the Board of Trade building:

Some fear, as mentioned in the Telegram's editorial yesterday, that as the crowds grow well into the thousands and the temperatures soar over 30 degrees that the "one fool" needed to start violence will be easier to come by.

Protesters outside Board of Trade Building, Main Street
Library and archives Canada ID 21834

Tuesday, 3 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-03T02:46:00.006-05:00

Western Labor News June 3, 1919
- Declares that Soldiers Mean Business and details yesterdays meeting with the Premier.

- Draft Shakespeare into the movement !

Winnipeg Citizen June 3, 1919

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition June 3, 1919
- The Police Commission removes the ultimatum issued to former and new police officers that if that if they do not return to work and / or sign a pledge never to participate in a sympathetic strike (including this one) that they will be dismissed

- Vancouver strikes in sympathy with Winnipeg.

- The following ad appears from the 1000:

Excerpt from Canadian Municipal Journal

Monday, 2 June 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-06-02T02:25:00.000-05:00

Western Labor News June 2, 1919
- Appear buoyed by the veteran strikers
-Today's meetings

Winnipeg Citizen June 2, 1919
- An angry story entitled "They shall be known by their acts" takes up the entire front page, lashing out at the labour movement, including strikers and the Labor News.

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition June 2, 1919
- Report that 10,000 veteran strikers converged on the Legislature this morning to visit Premier Norris. Led by A.E. Bray they present a petition to Norris demanding: compulsive collective bargaining; withdrawal of ultimatum to Winnipeg Police Force (to return and swear never to participate in a strike); the reinstatement of all provincial workers without discrimination. If he fails to meet these demands, they will call on the government to resign.

- Report that mass meetings and marches are becoming more unruly and "requires only one fool" within the crowd to trigger violence.

Saturday, 31 May 1919 - Moose Jaw

2009-05-31T01:05:00.001-05:00

May 31, 1919 - A member of the Executive of the Citizens' Committee of One Thousand delivers an address in Moose Jaw who are in the midst of their own sympathetic General Strike. The discussion was about the inner workings of the 1000 - how it was established and why.

Though he reiterated that the main purpose of the committee was to keep essential services going, he certainly does not hide his disdain for the strikers and the strike committee:

Above: A transcript of the speech was published as "An address on the subject of the Winnipeg strike, May-June, 1919: Delivered by a member of the Citizens' Committee of One Thousand to a deputation of citizens from Moose Jaw, Sask.: With especial reference to the enunciation therein contained upon the principles of 'collective bargaining'". Full text.

Saturday, 31 May 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-05-31T00:10:00.005-05:00

Western Labor News May 31, 1919

Winnipeg Citizen May 31, 1919

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition May 31, 1919

Friday, 30 May 1919 - Toronto Streetcar Strike

2009-05-30T23:48:00.004-05:00

Friday, 30 May - The Newsstand

2009-05-30T23:41:00.007-05:00

Western Labor News May 30, 1919

Winnipeg Citizen May 30, 1919

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition May 30, 1919

Friday, 30 May 1919 - Veterans Speak

2009-05-30T00:29:00.001-05:00

Returning veterans start holding demonstrations of their own. Today 2000 demonstrators enter the Legislature to confront Premier Norris demanding collective bargaining, so that the strike could come to a peaceful end.Source.

See Telegram: "Soldier strikers in Ugly Mood Today"

Thursday, 29 May 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-05-29T01:31:00.002-05:00

Western Labor News May 29, 1919

Winnipeg Citizen May 29, 1919

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition May 29, 1919

Wednesday, 28 May 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-05-28T23:12:00.001-05:00

Western Labor News May 28, 1919
Perhaps having two competitors this week has put the Citizen on the defensive. Front page items today include a long article about why they choose to strike and another proclaiming that "95% of people" support the workers.

Winnipeg Citizen May 28, 1919
An open letter to the Citizens of Winnipeg

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition May 28, 1919
- Reports that the Committee of 1000 is signing up volunteers to perfrom duties such as garbage collection

Tuesday, 27 May 1919 - The Newsstand Grows

2009-05-27T22:26:00.006-05:00

There's a new, old paper on the newsstands today: The Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition !

Though anti-strike, the paper is not just strike news. It's a smaller version of the regular Telegraph with local and international news, wire features, sports and entertainment. Just like the Winnipeg Free Press, which is also publishing again*.

Western Labor News May 27, 1919

Winnipeg Citizen May 27, 1919

Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition for May 27, 1919. The first Editorial Page and the following full page ad - "first in a series":
*The Winnipeg Free Press also resumed publishing but it's archives are behind a subscription wall so I cannot link to them on a daily basis.

Today, though, they reported on the decision by city council to fire striking city workers. Notices to fill positions are to be readied. Strikers can reapply for their old jobs but would have to denounce the strike.

Tuesday, 27 May 1919

2009-05-27T01:57:00.002-05:00

The scope of the strike widens as more cities take sympathetic strike votes.

It was also receiving increased international attention, written extensively in publications like the New York Times. Today's story (pdf):

Monday, 26 May 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-05-26T22:23:00.003-05:00

Western Labor News for May 26, 1919

Winnipeg Citizen for May 26, 1919

Monday, 26 May 1919

2009-05-26T12:29:00.002-05:00

The Post Office ultimatum has come and past. Of the hundreds of postal workers on strike only 16 return to work (source). A moral victory for the strikers.

Monday, 26 May 1919 - Hot in the City

2009-05-26T00:32:00.005-05:00

The last week of May 1919 is unseasonably hot. From May 24 to 30th highs are at or above 30 degrees.

Sunday, 25 May 1919 - Postal Deadline

2009-05-25T23:08:00.002-05:00

Sundays are a day for family. Even during the strike the respective propaganda newspapers took the day off.

Seven thousand workers show up for an evening gathering at Victoria Park. Some may have come to enjoy the cool breeze off the river on a 30 degree day but others came bearing news of an employer's ultimatum.

The Post Office has told it's workers that if they don't show up for work tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. they are terminated, along with any pension they may have earned (source).

Main Post Office, Portage and Garry

Saturday, 24 May 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-05-24T01:44:00.006-05:00

Winnipeg Citizen headline: Strike Unjustified; Citizens Must Stand firm

The Citizen is paraphrasing Arthur Meighan, Manitoba M.P. and federal Minister of the Interior, who is in Winnipeg. The citizen quotes him as saying "It is up to the citizens of Winnipeg to stand firm and resist efforts made here to overturn proper authority"

Western Labor News of May 24, 1919 carries the following:

Friday, 23 May 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-05-23T01:20:00.007-05:00

Winnipeg Citizen May 23, 1919 Read the full Edition !

Western Labor News May 23, 1919 Read the full edition !

The following is an excerpt from the Toronto Daily Star on this day:

Outward Appearances Show No Sign Of Any Big Strike
Toronto Daily Star, 23 May 1919, W.R. Plewman

The strikers have gone pretty far and they have made some mistakes but they have not perpetrated Bolshevism.

The writer came to the city (Winnipeg) understanding that the Strike Committee of Five had inaugurated a reign of terror, preventing willing workers from serving their employers and the public and allowing only a few employers, who would submit to the humiliation of displaying signs "By permission of the Strike Committee" to carry on. It was that idea and the vision of impending Bolshevik horrors that drove nearly all the non-strikers into one camp and made virtually all those who are not manual workers enthusiastic supporters of the offensive now being waged by the Citizen's Committee. But the whole thing is a delusion and a figment of the imagination.

There is no Soviet. There was little or no terrorism.

Star Source

Victoria Park

2009-05-22T23:11:00.004-05:00

By now, the strike had settled into a bit of a routine. One of those routines were the daily gatherings at Victoria Park. It was a place for workers to meet, share stories, get the latest news, listen to speeches. Later it would also be a starting point for marches that would come later in the strike.

Victoria Park, established in 1894, was located on a stretch of land behind the present day Concert Hall: roughly from the MTC Warehouse down to Waterfront Drive. An aerial photo can be found here.

For more on strike action in Victoria Park.

Strikers at Victoria Park

Thursday, 22 May 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-05-22T01:41:00.002-05:00

Western Labor News May 22, 1919

- Repeals the need for "those cards":

Winnipeg Citizen May 22, 1919

- Claims moral victory in strike card issue:

- Examines the One Big Union vote workers will be taking later in the summer. Concludes that it "...proves there is a revolutionary movement on..." and that "...unless Winnipeg throttles this general strike idea right here an now, Winnipeg herself will be throttled again on July 1st."
The Alberta Non-Partisan editorializes How the Might Have Fallen, referring to the major daily newspapers which, to date, have not yet resumed publishing. It muses that it dismisses the popular myth "...that Labour can get along without capital but that Capital cannot get along without Labour".

Wednesday, 21 May 1919 - The Newsstand

2009-05-21T02:32:00.008-05:00

The papers compete for the hearts and minds of Winnipeggers:

Western Labor News May 21, 1919

Winnipeg Citizen May 21, 1919