﻿HEADIN’ IN 
 
(By T-BONE SLIM) 
There was a time when “the people” were too proud to fight. The bosses would kick them out and they would whine. The boss would strike them and they would not lift a hand to protect themselves. They were too proud to fight—too proud! 

How time changes! Conditions of servitude become unbearable! Death is less feared and begins to look less unwelcome. Jails begin to less their time-honored fear inspiring quality—and the people have raised their hands to ward off the cowardly blow. The blow which the masters have directed against labor—in West Virginia. 

Is it not something remarkable! Something wonderful! The works have been obligated to grasp the weapons of warfare! The workers are protecting themselves, their wives, their children! 

Is labor unionism so weak, so impotent that they must challenge military power in order to impress their employers with the earnestness of their purpose! 

For forty years my brothers have been digging coal—today they are penniless! For 40 years they have sweated in the “banks” for their board, clothing, lodging—today they are being shot down. 
For forty years the American Federation of Labor has been separating labor into craft unions—and now this is the result! 

Men are shot down because they desire to unite, to form a union. 
Unions have been formed before and will be formed after this. 
But these men are being shot down because they want to join a—union. 

Fellow workers! Your strength lies not on the battlefield. It lies in the industry of which you are a part. 
It is a waste of time to organize into craft unions and buy rifles to impress the boss. 
Join the One Big Union—the Industrial Union of the World! 

And the boss will know that you mean business! 

Just a word to the worthy presidents and secretaries who have been misleading workers: Now is as good a time as any to get an honest job and a red card.