The autobiography of Mother Jones

Portrait of Mother Jones
Portrait of Mother Jones

The autobiography of Mary Harris Jones, more commonly known as Mother Jones. The "most dangerous woman in America" and a committed organizer for several unions including the Knights of Labor and the IWW. She was also active in the fight to end child labour and organise every mine.

Submitted by Reddebrek on February 17, 2014

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syndicalist

10 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by syndicalist on February 17, 2014

"The rank and file have let their servants become their masters and dictators. The workers have now to fight not alone their exploiters but likewise their own leaders, who often betray them, who sell them out, who put their own advancement ahead of that of the working masses, who make of the rank and file political pawns.

Provision should be made in all union constitutions for the recall of leaders. Big salaries should not be paid. Career hunters should be driven out, as well as leaders who use labor for political ends. These types are menaces to the advancement of labor."

Chapter 27 - Progress in Spite of Leaders