Disturbed Dublin, the Story of the Great Strike of 1913-14, with A

DISTURBED DUBLIN DISTURBED DUBLIN THE STORY OF THE GREAT STRIKE OF 1913-14 WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE INDUSTRIES OF THE IRISH CAPITAL BY ARNOLD WRIGHT LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO 39 PATERNOSTER ROW. LONDON FOURTH AVENUE & 30th STREET, NEW YORK BOMBAY. CALCUTTA, AND MADRAS 1914 All rights reserved ,3^^ ^^l'' PREFACE The great labour upheaval in Dublin in the latter half of last year was marked by such extraordinary features, and excited so large a share of public attention during the time that the struggle continued, that no apology will probably be deemed to be necessary for the publication of this volume. The author's aim has been to write a succinct and impartial history of the Larkinite movement in Dublin, from the period of its inception in 1908 until the resumption of the normal industrial life of the city early in the present year, in circumstances which marked the ignominious defeat of the attempt to establish a pecuHarly pernicious form of Syndicalism on Irish soil. During a visit of several weeks' duration paid to Dublin in the Spring, the author had the opportunity of meeting many of those who had taken an active part in the conflict, and their views freely and courteously given were a valuable aid to a comprehension of the true character of the influences which brought about this memorable episode in Ireland's industrial history. But to a large extent in the accompanying pages Larkinism has been allowed to speak for itself, and it is hoped that the numerous elegant extracts culled from the press organ of the movement, together with the equally illumi- nating quotations from the speeches of Mr. Larkin and his chief lieutenants, will be held to justify the view taken as to the essentially revolutionary and anarchical aims of the Irish Transport Workers' Union. vi PREFACE In order to give completeness to the work and to allow of the labour position in Dublin being viewed in true perspective, the author has prefaced the narrative of the actual occurrences of the strike period with a sketch of the history of Dublin industries and an account of the modern industrial enterprises of the City. Attention has also been given to the slum problem, which it is widely considered was an important factor in assisting the development of the Larkinite movement. Generally speaking, the aim has been to furnish a complete picture of Dublin industrial life, with special reference to the circumstances of the disturbances of last year. The author's special acknowledgments are due to Mr. Terence O'Hanlon, who rendered him much appreciated assistance in collecting and collating the great mass of published matter relating to the strike. A. W. London, September, 1914. CONTENTS CHAPTER I INDUSTRIES OF THE PAST FAGB Introductory—The Dublin Strike—Aspects of Dublin—The City as an Industrial Centre—Beginnings of Industrial Ireland —Restrictions imposed on the Woollen Industry—Rise of the Silk Trade—Swift on the Wretched Condition of Ireland in the Eighteenth Century—The Linen Industry estabhshed —Disastrous Effect of Introduction of Machinery on Dubhn Industries—Pernicious Influence of Labour Organisations on Trade—Characteristics of the Working Population of Dubhn 1-14 CHAPTER II INDUSTRIES OF THE PRESENT The Industrial Dublin of To-day—The Brewing Interest— Guinness's Establishment—Distilleries—Manufacture of Non- alcoholic Beverages—The Poplin Industry—Paterson's Match Factory—Spence's Engineering Works—Shipbuilding Enterprise—Jacob's Biscuit Factory—Shipping Concerns- Bristol and Irish Steam Packet Company—The City of Dublin Steam Packet Company—The London and North Western Railway Company's and other Services—Importance of the Dublin Shipping Trade 15-27 CHAPTER III CONDITIONS OF LIFE AND LABOUR IN DUBLIN ^ Tenement Houses and Social Degradation—Government Housing Inquiry—Depressing Facts—AppaUing Character of the Housing Problem—Individual Testimony—Overcrowding and Unemployment closely related Factors—Great Pre- dominance of Untrained Labour—Causes of the Phenomenon —Labour Responsible in part for the Economic Deteriora- tion of Dublin—Trade Exclusiveness—Mr. John Good's Striking Testimony—Low Scale of Wages Current—Physical Deterioration reduces the Value of Labour—Good Qualities of the Dublin Slum-Dwellers—The Street Gamin a Merry 28-41 in the Liffey . Urchin—Wanted : a Training Ship — vui CONTENTS CHAPTER IV THE RISE OF LARKINISM PAGE The Dublin Slums a Fertile Ground for the Propagation of the Principles of Revolutionary Industrialism—Mr. James Larkin appears on the Scene—His Birth and Antecedents —The Belfast and Dublin Strikes in 1908—Mr. Larkin's Quarrel with the Dockers' Union—Founding of the Irish Transport Workers' Union—Mr. Larkin tried and sen- tenced—He is released by Order of Lord Aberdeen before the Expiration of his Sentence—Mr. Larkin's Views in regard to his Prosecution—Growth in Power of the Irish Transport Workers' Union—Mr. Larkin's Extraordinary Personal Influence—Distinctively Irish Character of the Larkinite Movement . • 42-51 CHAPTER V THE IGNOBLE ART OF INTIMIDATI ON The Irish Worker—Its Iniquitous Character—Patriotism called in Aid of the Industrial Movement—Elegant Extracts Incitement to Murder—Mahgnant Attacks on the Police and on Employers—Defence of the Pohcy of the Irish Worker— Larkinite Municipal Campaign—Scurrilous Attacks on PoUtical Opponents 52-63 CHAPTER VI A MODEL FACTORY Attack on Jacob's Biscuit Factory—Description of the Establish- ment—Contented Workers—The Factory's Roof Garden Catering for the Workers^Arrangements for the Physical Welfare of Employees—A Disgraceful Campaign of Calumny 64-68 CHAPTER VII MR. larkin's BI:TE NOIRE Attacks on Mr. Wm. Martin Murphy—The Dublin United Tram- way Company—Mr. Murphy depicted as a Capitalistic Ogre —The Real Man—Mr. Murphy's Association with the Irish Exhibition of 1907—King Edward and Mr. Murphy- Personal Description of Mr. Murphy .... 69-79 CHAPTER VIII ' ' TO HELL WITH CONTRACTS ! Repudiation of Agreements a Characteristic Feature of Larkinism —The Settlement of July 1908—Mr. Larkin's Reasons for repudiating the Agreement—Antagonism between Mr. Larkin and the National Dock Labourers' Union—Conditions —— CONTENTS ix of Dublin Dock Labour favourable to Larkinite Propaganda —Labour Unrest in igii —Formation of Dublin Employers' Federation—Violent Attack in the Irish Worker upon Em- ployers—The Settlement of July 191 1 —Lord Aberdeen and Mr. Larkin—Conciliation Board Scheme ignored by the Irish Transport Workers' Union .... 80-90 CHAPTER IX SYNDICALISM IN EXCELSIS Railway Strike—First Application of the Doctrine of ' Tainted ' — ' Goods —Collapse of the Strike ' We the People of Liberty Hall—The National Insurance Act a Larkinite Asset—Mr. Larkin's Personal Qualities—Harassed Employers—Dead Set on Messrs. Jacob—Growing Strength of the Irish Trans- port Workers' Union ...... 91-100 CHAPTER X THE GOSPEL OF REPUDIATION Larkinite Attack on the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company Irish Worker's Views of the Binding Force of Agreements Mr. Larkin attacks Lord Aberdeen—His so-called Disclosures Denied—Settlements effected with Shipping Companies Breach of Agreement with the Clyde Shipping Company Discontent fomented in the Building and Engineering Trades lOI-III CHAPTER XI METHODS OF THE YAHOO Mr. W. M. Murphy begins to move—Scurrilous Attacks on Mr. Murphy in the Irish Worker—Purge of Larkinites from the Independent Dispatch Department and the Tramway Com- pany's Traffic Staff—The Larkinite— Counter Movement ' —Messrs. Eason & Son Attacked ' Tainted Goods again Disorganisation of the Shipping Industry—Menaces of the Irish Worker—The True Character of Larkinism . 11 2-1 21 CHAPTER XII THE STRIKE THAT FAILED The Dublin Season—Horse Show Week selected for a Tramway Strike—Mr. Larkin's Miscalculation—Failure of his Coup— Inflammatory Oratory in Beresford Place—Arrest of Mr. Larkin and his Four Principal Associates—Police Court Proceedings—The Prosecution a Mistake—Incendiary Speeches—Police charge the Mob—A Frankly Anarchical Crusade 122-130 — ———" X CONTENTS CHAPTER XIII AN ORGY OF ANARCHY PAGB Description of Sackville Street—The Larkinites determine to hold a Meeting in the Thoroughfare—Rioting in the Ring- send District—Attack on the Pohce in Beresford Square Disturbance near the Abbey Theatre—Savagery of the Mob —Terrible List of Casualties—Sackville Street on Sunday, August 30—Melodramatic Appearance of Mr. Larkin on the Balcony of the Imperial Hotel—His Arrest—Outbreak of Rioting—Terrible Baton Charges by the Police—Attack on the Inchicore Tramways—The military called out . 131-143 CHAPTER XIV THE AFTERMATH OF THE RIOTS Sackville Street Riots cause a Sensation in England—Mr. Handel Booth, M.P., intervenes—Censure of the Police—Trade Union Congress send a Deputation to Dublin—Fierce Rioting at Redmond's Hill—Funeral of a Victim of the Riots of Sunday, August 30—Collapse of Tenement Houses in Church Street—Calamity used as an Object Lesson by the Labour Representatives—Employers not Responsible for Tenement House Evil ...... 144-133 CHAPTER XV ORGANISED REVOLT AGAINST LARKINISM The Industrial Struggle Widened—Meeting of Members of the Employers' Federation to concert Measures to deal with Larkinism—Further Meeting of Employers—Coal Merchants' Manifesto locking out Members of the Irish Transport Workers' Union—Messrs. Jacob publicly announce their Intention to close their Works—Closing of the Tramway Works at Inchicore—Lord Mayor's Unsuccessful Interven- tion—Great Gathering of Dublin Employers—Decision taken not to employ Members of the Irish Transport Workers' Union—Mr. Keir Hardie's Opinion of Mr. Larkin—Distorted Views in England as to the Dispute Daily Mail and Mr. Murphy—Conference between the Employers' Representa- tives and the Labour Delegates at the Shelbourne Hotel Breakdown of the Conference—Labour Delegates' Views on the Situation—Baseless Allegations of Bad Faith brought against the Employers ...... 153-167 CHAPTER XVI THE CONFLICT PROCEEDS A Fight to a Finish—Release of Mr. Larkin—Action of Authori- ties criticised—Unsympathetic Attitude of English Trade Unionists towards Larkinism—Denunciation of Sympathetic Strike by the National Union of Railwaymen—Mr.

Load more