Woodville (7-8 column front page headlines): Vigilantes raid strike meet. Violence breaks out in four counties; cotton area arms. Authorities advise farmers to use force against agitators. The meeting last night of 800 striking pickers and small farmers called to unite in fight against finance corporation was attacked by 60 drunken vigilantes, and resulted in pitched battle. Vigilantes were armed but could not break through workers defense to reach speakers. Four counties: Strikers prepare to strengthen picket lines; pickets instructed not to start trouble but to resist attempts to drive pickets from field. Increase picket lines despite terror. American Federation of Labor (State): Announces it is not participating in cotton strike because pickers are not affiliated with labor unions. Corcoran: 1,000 vigilantes streamed from Bakersfield en route for Corcoran to mobilize against strikers. Kern County: 200 strikers' families custed from cottages; small belongings dumped on road by vigilantes. Strikers make demands on board of supervisors: (1) For immediate relief for cotton pickers and unemployed; (2) hot lunches for children of strikers and unemployed; (3) removal of guards from cotton fields; (4) recognition of their right to picket. Monterey Mexican Consul Bravo protests against reported mistreatment of "his" nationals. Bakersfield: 1,000 strikers parade, demanding release of arrested workers and insist on demands put to board of supervisors. Marchers force release of two strikers arrested during demonstration. Hanford: Sheriff, district attorney threatens strikers with shooting and castor oil. Tulare, Kern County: Strikers mobilize 100 percent and pull out 12 cotton gins. Three counties: Cannery Agricultural Workers Industrial Union secures lots from sympathetic farmers to house evicted strikers. Madera County: Union organizers arrested. Visali: Cannery Agricultural Workers Industrial Union preparing to pull out pickers as soon as crop ripens. Kern Lake Bed: 1,500 pickers held prisoners but refuse to pick cotton. Three counties: Wasco, McFarland, Corcoran, Arvin, Shafter, Kern Lake Bed, Pixley, Delano, Fresno, Bakersfield, and dozens other towns in strike; 80-90-100 percent pickers out on strike. Spirit is high; relief and defense committees set up. Strikers wear Cannery Agricultural Workers Industrial Union cards in caps and shirts; workers and merchants of towns in sympathy with strike. Bakersfield: 700 join Cannery Agricultural Workers Industrial Union local. Pixley: Ten strikers arrested for disturbing the peace." 66 Corcoran Offer by several big growers to compromise at 70 cents was rejected at strikers mass meeting. OCTOBER 10 Tulare: N. R. A. compliance board steps in; attempts today to settle strike; Timothy A. Reardon, State director of industrial relations, ordered to intervene by Governor Rolph. State director of relief (N. C. Branion) announces strikers and families will be fed by counties receiving Federal and State unemployment relief. (Strikers report relief offered only if strikers sign card promising to return to work.) Three counties: Strikers demand Government relief be distributed through union relief committees. Refuse relief on proviso that they will return to work pending arbitration of strike. Corcoran: 2,500 pickers and families, including 500 children evicted; establish tent city in field. (October 13 number increased to over 4,000; by end of strike was 5,000.) Three counties: Growers still reject mediation. Rabbi Reichert threatens growers with "out of funds from farm relief board." Arvin: Two strikers killed by surprise attack of ranchers. Wasco: Growers attempt to get scabs; many going in are being called off by pickets. Corcoran Four picketing strikers arrested for "disturbing the peace." 66 Pixley Two strikers arrested for disturbing peace." Strikers hold protest meetings against arrests. Vigilantes announce Farmers Protective Association has 700 members, purpose to increase to 2,000. Hanford: Chamber of commerce commends growers in letter for their "spirit of firmness" against strikers and attacks communistic influence among strike leaders. Tulare: Defense committees of strikers strengthened. Kern County: Over 600 strikers march through several towns with banners; "Hold the Line", "Hot lunches for our children ", "Negro and white, unite in fight." Corcoran: Growers hold meeting to plan "drastic action." Three counties: 12,000 strikers now out. Kings County: Growers adamant; declare will employ no one at any price; "let the cotton rot on the ground." OCTOBER 11 Pixley 15,000 now out on strike; several hundred strikers meet to protest arrest of 17 pickets; armed vigilantes drive up in autos and open fire. Headlines: 2 killed (2 strikers); score wounded and hurt, strikers, unarmed, fight back; vigilantes behind autos continue sniping and then drive off.; 5 farmers, vigilantes, arrested, accused of murder; warrants out for 5 more. National Committee for Defense of Political Prisoners urge Governor Rolph take immediate action to suppress violence of police and vigilantes in cotton strike area. Strikers' committee, including Pat Chambers and eye witnesses at killings, demand hearing from Rolph 3 p. m. next day (12th). Sheriff Hill appeals for National Guard to be sent in. Visalia Thousands of workers mass to protest killings and demand vigilantes be prosecuted for murder. Strike situation tense, fever heat, strikers incensed at murder; maintain discipline ranks. Arvin: 1 striker killed; armed growers ride into picket line; 6 other strikers injured. Arvin (at another point of picket line): 1 striker shot to death; several wounded as sheriff's posse hurl tear-gas bombs into picket lines; 2 strikers arrested on charge of murder, warrants out for 6 more for disturbing the peace; affidavits filed by witnesses, that killed striker (Subia) was shot 11 times, and it was only after delay that officers permitted strikers to claim body. Frick, head of vigilantes' San Joaquin Labor Bureau, and others attempt to break picket line; are beaten by strikers; another grower threatened to shoot is also beaten; 8 strike leaders arrested for disturbing the peace. Four Counties: I. L. D. organizing defense for arrested strikers. Tulare County: Mexican vice consul arrives to "Protect interests of Mexicans." Urges strikers return to work pending arbitration. Corcoran: Baby dies: 3-months-old Jennie Roque, striker's baby, dies of malnutrition and exposure. Four Counties: Crop possible loss estimated by ranchers at about 60,000 hales from 80,000 acres, valued at approximately $3,300,000.. Other estimates run as high as $50,000,000. 66 All newspapers front-page editorials: "Stop the war." 'Save the Crops." "For Meditation." etc. Corcoran: Growers' ranks split on policy; growers threaten import scabs from Texas. Woodville: Growers show some disposition to mediate. Kings County: Growers issue statement; they would let cotton "Dry up and rot" before they would accept strikers' demand; threaten to starve out strikers. Growers' vigilantes' Farmers Protective Association" publish ad: "We, the farmers of your community, upon whom you depend for support, feel you have nursed too long the viper at your door. The communistic agitators must be driven from towns by you, and your harboring them further will prove to us your noncooperation with us and make it necessary for us to give our support and trade to another town that will support and cooperate with us." OCTOBER 12 Four counties: (7-8 column 15,000 strikers out: "Starve out strikers" plan mapped out by meeting of planters, supervisors, district attorney, sheriff, and Visalia chief of police. Picket lines: Strikers prepare to picket more than 300 ranches in morning, women in front lines; answer terror with organization. McFarland: Striker shot and wounded by cotton gin bookkeeper. Visalia: 1,000 strikers meet to insist on demands of: (1) Death penalty for 11 vigilantes guilty of murder; (2) demand $5,000 county relief to be distributed through strikers committees of the Cannery and Agricultural Workers Industrial Union. (3) Release arrested strikers. (4) Indemnities for families of slain strikers. (5) Disarm vigilantes. (6) Or right to arm themselves as defense measure. Supervisors refuse $10,000 relief and indemnities to families of slain. County welfare workers instructed by State to furnish relief without reference to strike affiliation, etc. State mediators arrive; grand jury session called to indict Pixley and Arvin slayers; State highway patrol mobilized in greater numbers from all parts of State; strike committee demands bodies from coroner for mass demonstration funeral for these slain strikers. Coroner refuses; says will give bodies to families. (See account of funeral Oct. 15.) All newspaper editorials appear calling on Governor to settle strike. EX SCTO.: Workers committee receives reply from Governor Rolph agreeing to hearing on murders of three at Pixley. National committee for defense of political prisoners receive reply from Governor Rolph stating he holds county authorities and district attorney responsible for law enforcement; willing to send fair minded arbitration in to settle strike. Geo. Creel, (N. R. A. head for California) ordered by Federal Government to intervene. Tulare County: Pat. Chambers is jailed on criminal syndicalist charge (just before leaving for hearing in Sacramento); bail set at $2,000; raised to $10,000. Four counties: Strike committee (organized at beginning of strike, of 30 strikers) continues direction of strike. Ten growers, two strikers now under arrest on murder charges. Seventeen strikers under arrest fo disturbing peace, each $1,000 bail. Tulare County: Supervisors order sheriff to recruit large corps of deputies grants unlimited power to buy arms, tear gas bombs; calls in more State highway patrol; denies food or hospitalization to "transients." Strikers organizing with ILD to free 17 pickers held in jail. United States Labor Department, Department of Justice, Mexican consul, State labor commission, State highway patrol, converge to exert pressure for immediate settlement. OCTOBER 13 Four counties: 18,000 strikers not out as strike spreads to Madera County. Ranchers claim strike broken. Governor Rolph predicts end 48 hours. Consul Bravo promises return to work of Mexican strikers pending arbitration. Corcoran: 4,300 strikers cheer strike committee report to continue strike; reply with " Viva la Huelga ", "Viva la $1 a hundred." Leory Gordon, strike leader, arrested on criminal syndicalism charge. Sacramento: Strikers committee, at hearing before Rolph, protests murder of Pixley strikers and presents demands. (See p. 5, Oct. 21.) Four counties: Preparations being made for mass funeral of slain strikers. (See Oct. 15.) Corcoran Hospitalization refused striking women about to become mothers. Tulare County: Over 600 permits issued to carry concealed weapons; scores deputized by sheriff. Kern County: One hundred additional deputies employed by sheriff Walber. State overrules counties and promises hospitalization to expectant mothers. Corcoran Health officials threaten eviction of strikers from camp. Strikers demand installation of additional sanitary facilities. OCTOBER 14 Four headlines accuse strikers of arming with 400 rifles; eye witnesses declare no arms used by strikers. Corcoran: Three more babies die, making four in 1 week, malnutrition. Sacramento: Because state labor department was rejected as arbitration board, Governor Rolph appoints new board. Picket line striker (Collingsworth) arrested on suspicion of felony. Arvin: Four strikers in addition to two. (striker) murder. Andrews arrested for Subia's San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Jose, etc.: Workers held protest meetings on Pixley and Alvin murders; raise funds for relief, pledge solidarity, support W. I. R., I. L. D. campaigns. OCTOBER 15 66 Tulare Mass funeral; 5,000 men, women, children, striking pickers, town workers, and sympathizers converging from 75 miles around, mass at Tulare to attend mass red funeral of Dolores Hermande; slain striker (Pixley). Newspapers describe demonstration as Most dramatic and colorful demonstration ever witnessed in the Valley"; "March organized with military precision"; "The memory of the tragedy behind them, tribute to the victory ahead.” No armed State highway patrolmen on duty; many held in reserve. Mass meeting after funeral voices determination to go back and strengthen picket lines; mass picket lines organized for 9 a. m. next day; authorities threaten to call out State troops. OCTOBER 16 Arvin: Seven Arvin striker defendants ordered by grand jury held on charge of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and rioting and unlawful assembly. Six thousand strikers demonstrate outside jail, demanding freedom of seven strikers; then proceeded in mile-long parade to union hall and later to the cemetery; pledged unanimously to stay out till victory is won. Four counties: Twenty-seven striking workers now in jail. Visalia Governor's fact-finding committee opens preliminary investigation to find basis for arbitration; attempts determine; (1) the picking wages that growers are able to pay; (2) the wage scale necessary to enable workers to maintain proper standard of living. Pixley: Notice by governor, Mexican consul, and Federal consolidated posted in camps, urging strikers to return to work at old rate of 60 cents hundredweight pending final settlement by arbitration. Two thousand five hundred strikers denounce strike-breaking tactics and tear up poster. Entire valley: Cotton ready for picking, growers facing loss; no cotton being picked. Fresno and Tulare: Some growers agree to pay 75-cent rate. Visalia Pat Chambers, speaking from jail, declares: "Communists, in our political party, are only ones fighting in the interests of the workers. The workers will not be misled by charges of 'communism "." The workers are answering this charge of "communism" by declaring that if their leaders in the union and the strike are Communists they are also Communists. OCTOBER 17 Tulare Indictments returned by grand jury against 16 strikers on charges of rioting and resisting officers. Madera Strikers' conference called to strengthen strike in Madera. Tulare Special meeting of central strike committee, under heavy workers' guard decides to remain on strike and intensify picketing while arbitration is going on. Workers still reject relief given on condition workers return to jobs at old rate. Bakersfield: 2,000 strikers attend funeral of Subia (Arvin murdered striker), coming from all camps in area. OCTOBER 18 Visalia Federal Government threatens with war-time bull pen and deportation of "undesirables." Communists and agitators found not to be citizens. San Diego, etc.: Corps of patrolmen from points as far south as San Diego mobilized for concentration in strike area. Four Counties: Demonstration and daily mass meetings take place at all points. Other California cities: Mass meetings of workers in many cities continue to raise relief. San Francisco: Committee of liberals go to strike area to investigate. Fresno County: Sheriff Overholt authorized by board of supervisors to employ additional 100 deputies. Hanford: Another baby dies; malnutrition (fifth); Corcoran mothers refuse State relief milk because they would have to sign a card pledging return to the fields at old rate. Corcoran: Faced with formal eviction notice, strikers force authorities to give instructions to Government Departments for construction of additional sanitary facilities and water supply at strikers' camp; strikers refuse to move from camp. Visalia: Fact-finding committee (Government) begins sessions today. Tulare: Grand jury returns indictments against growers in Pixley murders. Pat Chambers indicted for criminal syndicalism by grand jury. OCTOBER 18-19 Creel (N. R. A. head) visits and speaks to strikers in several camps. Meets with growers. OCTOBER 19 Lindsay, Tulare County: Six strikers arrested for "disturbing the peace." Pixley Murder charges against six growers indicted by grand jury were dismissed today. OCTOBER 20 Visalia Chambers brought to hearing of fact-finding committee under sheriff's guard. Given ovation by workers. Growers dissatisfied with personnel of arbitration group. Sixth baby dies. Mexican woman striker dies of pneumonia. OCTOBER 21-22 Corcoran: Five arrested strikers released on bond. S. L. L. Camps: Abolition of pledge to return at old rate previously required in order to receive Government relief. Fresno School children pressed into service to pick cotton over the week end. OCTOBER 21 Pixley-Tipton: Two growers agree to sign with the union at $1 per hundredweight; one grower refuses to hire scabs but finance company puts scabs in with protection of armed guards. Kern County: Growers now offer 80 cents per hundredweight. Fact-finding committee decides that growers should pay 75 cents a hundredweight (“and that without question the civil rights of the strikers have been violated"). Hundreds of growers deputized by sheriffs and new reign of terror initiated against workers and to prevent small farmers from adopting compromise offer of mediation board. OCTOBER 23 Kern County: Growers wire Washington that Mexicans be deported; the growers have lost confidence in State officials to mediate the strike; request a Federal mediator. Tulare: Drivers of picket trucks arrested and workers left stranded in highway. Hanford: Women and men pickets slash sacks used by scabs picking cotton on a ranch here. OCTOBER 24 Tulare Canning Agricultural Workers Industrial Union central strike committee in session taking up compromise proposals offered. Northern growers reject 75-cent proposal of mediation board. Southern growers offer 80 cents a hundredweight. Pixley Pickets, calling on scabs to stop picking and join strike, are routed with tear gas and charged by 200 patrolmen to break the line; 14 pickets arrested. Visalia and Hanford: Two companies of National Guard awaiting orders to march into strike field, each equipped with 64 men, machine guns, and rifles. Tulare County: Hospital full with sick strikers previously denied entrance. Kings County: Sheriff requests troops be sent to valley. Tulare County: Many scabs won over by pickets. |