Shelf Life The Newsletter of the Working Class Movement Library Issue No. 49 Winter 2015 No To An Imperialist War January 2016 marks the 100th a different sort anniversary of the introduction of bravery the into Parliament of the Military Library has just Services Bill 1916 which paved launched an the way for conscription into the exhibition (until battlefields of the First World Easter 2016) War. Having got through the about those ‘Pals’ and other volunteers at a conscientious rate of knots the war machine objectors who now needed to resort to refused to join compulsion to populate the up. The killing fields. exhibition covers the various types The subsequent Act, made all of Conscientious men from 18 to 41 years old Objector (CO) – liable to be called up for service those who were in the army unless they were prepared to do married, widowed with children, ambulance a minister of religion, or working work, those who in a reserved occupation. from Westhoughton near Bolton, were sent to do work of has a direct link to the present in In memory of those who showed “national importance” (menial the form of his niece Beryl Clark, labouring jobs) and the who has written a book about absolutists who would him and was one of the not do anything to volunteer team that put the contribute to the war in exhibition together. We hope this any form. There were exhibition will alert everyone to nearly 1000 absolutists a part of First World War history and they suffered that is often ignored in the repeated imprisonment jingoism of media centenary and ill treatment. Also commemorations. Our special covered are the women thanks to the Heritage Lottery who supported the COs Fund for giving financial and those who support. Well worth a visit to the campaigned against the Library sometime between now war, such as Margaret and Easter. Ashton and Sylvia Pankhurst. Some local Turn to page 3 for more we are COs, like James Hudson doing to counter the jingoism of the of Salford, are included. First World War reflections. Another, Bill Chadwick 1904 Borough of Nelson No Power on Earth Qualities of a From Guardians Election leaflet for Selina Cooper, a mill worker Also thanks to the Heritage Trustee who was first elected as a Poor The Lottery Fund the Library has Law Guardian for Nelson in We have been giving thought to commissioned the writing and 1901. Selina Cooper was also what attributes are needed performance of a ‘one man involved in socialist politics amongst the body of our Trustees play’ based on the real story of in order to ensure that we have the conscientious objection of the right skills, knowledge and a Salford teacher, James Collection experience to keep the Hindle Hudson. It has been momentum going and ensure written by Sue Reddish and that the Library continues to be will undertake a short Theatre an effective educational and in Education tour around research resource for the working High Schools in Salford and Our Election Addresses class. then be performed in the The Library holds an extensive We also have election addresses Library a number of times for The Library is a professionally collection of over 2300 election for one of our founders, a public audience. run institution with staff and volunteers, a far cry from our addresses, dating from the late Edmund Frow, who stood as a The play will be in the form of beginnings, and so we now have 1880s to the 2015 general Communist Party candidate for a monologue and tell the story social beliefs bring him into to have an understanding of election. a Manchester Ardwick by- of an ordinary school teacher at conflict with the establishment. things like administrative, election held in 1931. the start of the First World War One of the earliest addresses is He becomes a Conscientious organisational and financial who finds himself at odds with for Keir Hardie's candidature in We have a group of elections Objector at the start of the First management, fund raising, the popular mood. The story the Mid-Lanark election of 1888, addresses for both general and World War, campaigns for audience development (to use the celebrates his courage to stay when he stood as an local elections in Salford, dating peace, is berated, ostracized and jargon), strategic planning and true to his beliefs despite independent 'labour' candidate from 1918, when electors in imprisoned, yet never wavers the relevant legislation. considerable pressure and asks after the local Liberal South Salford could vote for in his stance. The play charts his the audience to consider what association selected a London James Gorman, the Labour journey between 1914-1919 and These must sit alongside our they would do in such a lawyer to fight the by-election Party candidate, who was “A explores the dilemmas and more usual roles of linking in circumstance. rather than him. He was worker who will represent the consequences he, and others with the movement, other similar institutions and those delivering unsuccessful in this attempt to workers”. Unfortunately he James is 35 at the start of the like him, had to face. independent working class get elected and polled only 617 wasn't elected. Incidentally, the play, a schoolteacher, a Look out for performance dates education. votes, but was elected for the 1918 general election was the teetotaler and, externally at the Library in early 2016. seat of West Ham in 1892. first to be held on a Saturday and in the women's suffrage anyway, a figure of mainstream We have already amended our (14 December). movement as an organiser for life. But his political, moral and Trustee constitution in order to the National Union of cement our relationship with the The collection also Women's Suffrage Societies. contains an election Trade Union movement by address of Walter Other notable people Cartoon Corner creating a permanent place for a Greenwood, author of represented in the collection representative of the North West the novel about are Labour politicians - TUC. We also have places for working class hardship Clement Attlee, JR Clynes, representatives of Salford City ‘Love on the Dole’, for Arthur Greenwood, George Council and the University. We the municipal elections Lansbury; Independent Labour are now to embark on an exercise of 1934. He stood as a Party politicians - Fenner to see if there are any gaps in our Labour candidate in the Brockway, Fred Jowett, attributes requirements that need St Matthias' Ward, but Ramsay MacDonald, James to be filled. it seems he was not Maxton; Communist Party of The most important decision we successful until the Great Britain candidates – Len have taken though is a following year. Johnson (a black boxer who requirement that at least half of stood for Manchester Moss our Trustees must have an Whilst most of the Side), Benny Rothman (an election addresses are understanding of, and activist most famous for his commitment to working class for male candidates we participation in the Kinder do have a quite a politics so as to ensure that the Scout mass trespass) and Harry political direction laid down by number for women Pollitt (leader of the CPGB). candidates, including a our founders Eddie and Ruth Frow doesn’t deviate. 1904 Borough of Nelson No Power on Earth Qualities of a From Guardians Election leaflet for Selina Cooper, a mill worker Also thanks to the Heritage Trustee who was first elected as a Poor The Lottery Fund the Library has Law Guardian for Nelson in We have been giving thought to commissioned the writing and 1901. Selina Cooper was also what attributes are needed performance of a ‘one man involved in socialist politics amongst the body of our Trustees play’ based on the real story of in order to ensure that we have the conscientious objection of the right skills, knowledge and a Salford teacher, James Collection experience to keep the Hindle Hudson. It has been momentum going and ensure written by Sue Reddish and that the Library continues to be will undertake a short Theatre an effective educational and in Education tour around research resource for the working High Schools in Salford and Our Election Addresses class. then be performed in the The Library holds an extensive We also have election addresses Library a number of times for The Library is a professionally collection of over 2300 election for one of our founders, a public audience. run institution with staff and volunteers, a far cry from our addresses, dating from the late Edmund Frow, who stood as a The play will be in the form of beginnings, and so we now have 1880s to the 2015 general Communist Party candidate for a monologue and tell the story social beliefs bring him into to have an understanding of election. a Manchester Ardwick by- of an ordinary school teacher at conflict with the establishment. things like administrative, election held in 1931. the start of the First World War One of the earliest addresses is He becomes a Conscientious organisational and financial who finds himself at odds with for Keir Hardie's candidature in We have a group of elections Objector at the start of the First management, fund raising, the popular mood. The story the Mid-Lanark election of 1888, addresses for both general and World War, campaigns for audience development (to use the celebrates his courage to stay when he stood as an local elections in Salford, dating peace, is berated, ostracized and jargon), strategic planning and true to his beliefs despite independent 'labour' candidate from 1918, when electors in imprisoned, yet never wavers the relevant legislation. considerable pressure and asks after the local Liberal South Salford could vote for in his stance. The play charts his the audience to consider what association selected a London James Gorman, the Labour journey between 1914-1919 and These must sit alongside our they would do in such a lawyer to fight the by-election Party candidate, who was “A explores the dilemmas and more usual roles of linking in circumstance. rather than him. He was worker who will represent the consequences he, and others with the movement, other similar institutions and those delivering unsuccessful in this attempt to workers”. Unfortunately he James is 35 at the start of the like him, had to face. independent working class get elected and polled only 617 wasn't elected. Incidentally, the play, a schoolteacher, a Look out for performance dates education. votes, but was elected for the 1918 general election was the teetotaler and, externally at the Library in early 2016. seat of West Ham in 1892. first to be held on a Saturday and in the women's suffrage anyway, a figure of mainstream We have already amended our (14 December). movement as an organiser for life. But his political, moral and Trustee constitution in order to the National Union of cement our relationship with the The collection also Women's Suffrage Societies. contains an election Trade Union movement by address of Walter Other notable people Cartoon Corner creating a permanent place for a Greenwood, author of represented in the collection representative of the North West the novel about are Labour politicians - TUC. We also have places for working class hardship Clement Attlee, JR Clynes, representatives of Salford City ‘Love on the Dole’, for Arthur Greenwood, George Council and the University. We the municipal elections Lansbury; Independent Labour are now to embark on an exercise of 1934. He stood as a Party politicians - Fenner to see if there are any gaps in our Labour candidate in the Brockway, Fred Jowett, attributes requirements that need St Matthias' Ward, but Ramsay MacDonald, James to be filled. it seems he was not Maxton; Communist Party of The most important decision we successful until the Great Britain candidates – Len have taken though is a following year. Johnson (a black boxer who requirement that at least half of stood for Manchester Moss our Trustees must have an Whilst most of the Side), Benny Rothman (an election addresses are understanding of, and activist most famous for his commitment to working class for male candidates we participation in the Kinder do have a quite a politics so as to ensure that the Scout mass trespass) and Harry political direction laid down by number for women Pollitt (leader of the CPGB). candidates, including a our founders Eddie and Ruth Frow doesn’t deviate. Trade Union Support popped in. It’s really nice when I friends come to see the gem they’re supporting.

Fantastic, in the last quarter all of you. Last month we had a visit from we’ve managed to break the Andy Gilchrist, National The day of the mass lobby of the £7,000 barrier in donations from Education Officer for RMT. We Tory party conference in the trade union movement. Led had discussions about how we Manchester was preceded by a by a donation from FBU we could be of mutual benefit which visit of comrades from Merthyr have also received support from we hope will bear fruit. Tydfil TUC, who have long been NUT and regions or branches of supporters of the Library but As we’ve said before people are ASLEF, CWU, GMB, NASUWT, never visited before. It was nice really sold on the Library after NUT, UCATT, UNISON and to put faces to names. Then last they’ve seen it so why not build Unite. Not forgetting three month members of Unite Black in a visit for your branch etc next Trades Councils. Thank you to Country Retired Members year. The kettle is always on. Manchester Martyrs Remembered On 18 September 1867 a group ‘Manchester Martyrs’ and of armed Irishmen freed two among the many treasures in Fenian prisoners from a prison our Irish collection at the van on Hyde Road, Manchester. Library is a foot-high maquette During the raid a policeman, (model) of a proposed Sergeant Charles Brett, was monument by Liverpool accidentally shot dead. Three sculptor, Arthur Dooley, which Irishmen, William Allen, was commissioned to act as a Michael Larkin and Michael centenary memorial. The O'Brien, were convicted for the maquette is currently on display shooting and hanged in public in the Library hall, to mark the outside the New Bailey prison, anniversary of their deaths. Salford on 23 November 1867. The sculpture was to consist of Few believed that they were three standing steel pillars, with guilty, and major attached Celtic shields, demonstrations were held in representing the three men, and Apologies protest in England, Ireland and a five ton block of granite from the United States. The County Wicklow, to which a Avid followers of culture will executions served as a spur to metal plaque with the men's have wondered why they heard those seeking Irish names, and some detail on the nothing more of the Radical independence. Frederick Engels event and its significance, was Readings Mark II for November was living in Manchester at this to be attached. Because of we trailed in the last ‘Shelf Life’. time with an Irishwoman, Lizzie opposition both from Unfortunately Maxine and Burns. After the execution he councillors on the planning Christopher landed up with noted prophetically that the committee and from other unplanned engagements. Given executions had "accomplished groups and individuals, all the that they were providing their the final act of separation indications are that the services for free and the transient between England and Ireland. sculpture itself was never made. nature of employment in their The only thing the Fenians still Our maquette therefore appears profession we thought we’d let lacked were martyrs. They have to be the only record of the them off. We know you’ll been provided with these". monument which was understand. envisaged in 1967. The three became known as the Hopefully we can get it all together next year.

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