"Unemployed At Mass Meeting Decided To Continue Strike," Drumheller Review. May 17, 1934. Page 1 & 6. ---- At Tuesday afternoon's unemployed mass meeting held at the Wye grounds here, it was unanimously decided to continue the relief workers strike, until a showdown is secured with the Alberta Government. Different ones at meeting did not vote, but the show of hands from the crowd of one hundred and fifty demonstrated by the Central Council of the Unemployed, found favor with those present. One brave fellow put up his hand as against the motion to approve of the Central Council's recommendation to continue strike.
President George Moore gave a detailed report of Monday's conference with Relief Commissioner A. A. Mackenzie, the final outcome of which was that Mr. Mackenzie stated that nothing could be done until the relief workers went back to work.
James Fyfe, secretary of the Central Council, made a strong plea for continuance of strike, claiming that the entire Valley was solid for a continuance of strike. He stated that F. C. Moyer M.LA, had no intention of interfering in strike and claimed that there would be no let up on strike until the men's demands were met. He said there was not one scab in the Valley, while he added that the Central Council had received a telegram that three thousand relief work ers were on strike in Edmonton and were prepared to organize a march on Honorable O. L. McPherson to assist the Drumheller strikers. The ex-service men, he added, who had clubbed them two years ago had ask-ed them to be permitted to lead the mass parade being held on Thurs. day. He claimed the city merchants would honor their relief slips even though relief slips were not issued on May 16. He also advised that Mr. McPherson had advised the Central Council that there would be no relief slips issued on the sixteenth unless men went back to work,
F. C. Moyer, M.L.A, for the Drumheller constituency upon being ask-ed by the chairman to address meeting stated that so that there would be no misunderstanding he would say that he was in perfect accord with the Central Council of the unemployed, when they think that there are grievances, needing adjustment. How-ever, he added the whole difficulty is the ways and means to be taken to secure these adjustments. Mr. Moyer stated that he did not care if every man were against him, he would speak his mind. He did not believe the strike method to obtain the necessary adjustments, in fact he felt it was the wrong method in dealing with the government.
He had had a suggestion as regards a line of action but in view of the Edmonton relief workers, coming out on strike in sympathy with the strikers of the Drumheller Valley, it would be perfectly foolish of him to ask these on strike to go back, after they had called out Edmonton. He did not think that the men would get anywhere with the Government through their strike, while force would not have any influence on the Hon. Mr. McPherson. However, the Central Council had decided on strike and if after they found they could not secure anything through their strike, he would still be willing to talk things over with them, and do what he could, but, as long as strike methods were used he would make no proposals. At the conclusion of his talk, Mr. Moyer answered different questions regarding relief matters.
Albert Allen asked the chairman, if it was a fact that the merchants would give the relief goods during strike, without the usual relief orders from government and the statement previously made that merchants were solidly behind strikers was qualified by one of the strike committee, who stated merchants would help them, but could not do it indefinitely and the merchants did not want to feel sore if they had to cease helping them.
A parade will be held through the city on Thursday, to the Provincial relief headquarters in the provincial building, slips have not been is-sued. President Moore stated it would be a peaceful parade, with no red flags, and with certain returned men heading parade carrying union Jack.
Secretary Fyfe claimed that the re-lief workers in the whole province would be out on strike shortly, including Lethbridge and Calgary, according to advices received by the Central Council of Unemployed.
