unionsq

Apparently, there were two barbers' strikes in the era covered by most of these Bain collection photographs. There was the Brooklyn barbers' strike of 1913, and there was the New York barbers' strike of 1914. Having searched the New York Times' accounts of the era, I suggest that the occasion shown in this photograph is Joseph J. Ettor speaking to the striking Brooklyn barbers at Union sqaure on May 16, 1913. Here is the New York Times account from printed the following day: query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F00E5DF143FE633A... In that account, it also states that, "There were not many mottoes displayed at the gathering, but one of those displayed read, "We were slaves. Now we want to be free." Another read: "The Industrial Workers of the World lead this strike. This means success."." This second slogan, "The Industrial Workers of the World lead this strike. This means success." can be made out on the sign at left of photograph just behind the column. I'll put a note on the pic highlighting that. For what little it is worth, here is the wikipedia bio of Joseph J. Ettor: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Ettor The photograph of Ettor at that wikipedia page also helps to identify him in this photograph.

Fascinating! We'll add the date to the source data and reload the description. Thanks!

This photograph is featured in the Indicommons.org post Labor Day.




Sweet info update!

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called IWW - Industrial Workers of the World - "Wobblies", and we'd love to have this added to the group!

the same thing is true today - IWW means victory for the workers

Wow, I didn't know there used to be trolley cars around Broadway

See