﻿PREFACE 
By T-BONE SLIM

The lumber workers’ solidarity is proverbial—its fame has travelled the length and breath of this “strap-hanging” republic. Credit where credit is due. They not only stick together, but they rush to one another’s assistance, not merely upon call, but without. 
They are part of the I. W. W.—a part of the I. W. W.—an important part. 

ALL RIGHT, I VOLUNTEER 
(First Section) 
Right at this moment I feel like a man who has been requested to hold the baby in full erunption. We will therefore take up the so-called gyppo question, which is no question at all but will be if not treated in time. First, let us put this “butt-log” on the skidway: 
Henry Ford, the famous Lumber Baron of the United States and Michigan, has proved to the world that he can make a day worker do as much work for $5 as a piece worker does for $6. 
Even the cautious swamper in Henry’s camps brings his ax all the way around and cuts off a half a day’s work with one swing. Also in his shops, piece work isn’t fast enough to suit Henry—he has what I would call “volume work.” Some call it “production system.” And without a doubt, it is faster than piece work. 
Piece work is an old, old system, but in its present form we have known it only about 30 years. It is one of the many systems that go to make up the wage system—the wage system itself is the means used to swindle labor of the products of its toil in exchange for the bare livlihood given in form of wages. We will here nominate a few systems so that we can vent our wrath according to our taste. 
First, day work, monthly work; second, piece work, bushel work; third, bonus work, day work; fourth, premium system, piece work with bonus; firth, pooling system, where all work into a jack pot and get paid according to how they are rated; sixth, volume work, so much or see timekeeper; seventh, production method, keep up with machine, keep sleighs or cars loaded and likewise unloaded; includes bonus if successful. 
Yes. hating piece work and loving day work doesn’t hardly give man full play for his emotions. We may as well start hating all of these systems. But, since all workers work under one or another of those systems “it will never never do” to hate the workers. If we did ,they might call us parasites. Now I have intentionally broken this rollway of systems so that we may get an idea of the size of the job before us. 
It is our duty to “deck” all these systems together again, into a One Big Union— all those who work at day work, piece work, bonus work, premium work, pool work, volume work, production work or any other wage work must be organized and then, they will decide which kind of slavery they prefer — if any. Until then we cannot decide for them. After that we don’t need to—they will do it themselves. 
In the meantime the boss wields the power and decides for us all—the balance of power, I mean. Even while we are squabbling among ourselves as to the best form of slavery, the boss is doping out a new form that will skin the .hide off our backs. 
I’m not defending piece work. It is every bit as bad as day work I have seen and see today; as bad as the day work I have done (but will never again). I have sowed 176 logs for 11.35 ; by the month —that was before I knew the value of my work. Day workers as well as piece workers cannot do as well today because the timber isn’t here. Otherwise nothing has happened to change the figures save a few debates as to the best way to get beat out of our products. 
The day worker counts his logs and reports them at the office every evening — that’s volume work, not day work —let’s not kid ourselves. If his production has fallen below the boss’s figure his time is ready in the morning. Less than one-third of the “loggers” in Minnisota, Wisconsin and Michigan are actually working day work. Less than one-third—not enough for a One Big Union. 
I do not believe any changes have been made since 1921 and at that time, and prior to, the piece worker was a union man— one of the “meeting holding” kind. In fact, the disturbances be raised among the crews resulted in segregating him from those workers who were reconciled to poor board and low wages (exceptions noted). 
The Int. Lumber Compony even went so far as to maintain solid piece work camps to mollify these men with better board and better conditions generally, permitting them to hold meetings regularly, etc. 
This may be news to many of our members and it is an idea I got from personal observation. Ordinarily a piece worker is of sound limb and wind and will not put up with the $1 a day racket when not working piece work. He will agitate for more pay among the crews and somehow he is respected by the crew, at least he was before the gyppo question was sprung. If let alone, he would cause a strike, did cause strikes and altogether performed for the good of the working class. Hence the boss was practically compelled to “bribe” him with a “strip” and permit him to earn more and in accordance with his ability compared to those who were thankful for being permitted to put the winter in. These men we, must and will organize and educate. 
Note— Bonus work originally was day work—so much per. And— 
Note — Piece worker is not a gyppo. 
Note—Gyppo is sub-contractor that sub lets work to the piece worker. 
Note —Gyppo question is no question. 
Note— Piece worker is bona fide worker and gyppo is a sub contractor. 
Note — Employers, etc., barred. 
(To be continued)