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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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100 years ago in Spokane: Brisk business for Wobbly buttons after acquitals

One buyer pointed out that the buttons could not be “real gold,” or they would not cost $15. Another buyer said, “They are worth more than $15 to me.
By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net
One buyer pointed out that the buttons could not be “real gold,” or they would not cost $15. Another buyer said, “They are worth more than $15 to me.

All 13 Wobblies were acquitted on charges of wearing Wobbly buttons — which sparked a new rush for Wobbly buttons on Trent Avenue.

“Real gold I.W.W. (Wobbly) buttons for a dollar!” shouted a vendor. “Who is next?”

The 13 Wobblies had been arrested for wearing “the insignia of an organization antagonistic to the government of the United States,” the Spokane Daily Chronicle reported.

The men and their attorneys did not dispute the fact that they had worn Wobbly buttons. They disputed that the Wobblies were antagonistic to the government or encouraged violent overthrow.

“The decision of the jury was a wonderful example of Americanism,” said a local labor organizer, who had testified for the defense. “At no time did we have any fear as to the outcome of the case, for exclusive of the capitalistic class, the American people stand with us for freedom and liberty.”

The Chronicle noted that, while the button business was brisk, the buyers were still cautious about displaying their buttons. All of them “placed the emblem either under their lapels or on they suspender straps, out of sight.”

From the food beat: Spokane was facing a serious sugar shortage. Half of the city’s grocery stores were out of sugar, and remaining stocks were disappearing.

Sugar had been scarce during wartime because of trade disruptions. Now, because of a postwar spike in consumption, the shortage was continuing all over the nation. The Chronicle predicted a “complete sugar famine” in Spokane within weeks.