Dear Jack
Ever since I have been in Broken Hill I have been going to write to you, only, I was waiting for time, so as to write a long letter; and now I am in gaol. I like Broken Hill as a working class centre; the people are fine, especially in a strike time. The mines are better and easier to work in than Boulder mines. The actual town is like all minining towns - perhaps not as good as Kalgoorlie. I worked two weeks in two mines here and then the strikes started.
Instead of picketing the mines, we went up in a body and pulled the scabs out. Out of 8000 there were no scabs realy but 3 or 4 shift bosses kept up steam; but coal has been declared "black" so everything had to stop. It was a great sight to see three or four thousand strikers take possession, even if it was only for a day, of the mines, and put everything at a standstill. The strikers took no notice of the police or the armed private Pilkertons on the different mines. The next day 50 police came from South Australia and beat the "boo hoo" rabble and larikens up ... I was out of that.
A couple of days later 17 of us (8 A.M.A. nine I.W.W.) were arrested on the riot charge and subsequently released on £200 bail and then a couple of nights later 30 I.W.W. were arrested at a street meeting for being members of an illegal association. We all pleaded guilty and got six months, Tommy McMillon and his son Bill with us also. Our riot charge has gone through the police court and the whole 17 have been committed for trial. We are not sure when the trial will be held. The venue is almost sure to be changed. They are not game to have a working class jury in the Hill. However, I am optimistic. However it goes the union will stand by us. The president of the A.M.A. Geo. Kere is in with us and besides the A.M.A. is affiliated with the coalies; and Willis is in it. Anyhow by the time this letter gets to you anything may have happened.
Of course I cannot write all I should like as I am in gaol and am writing this under the lap; but all is well and I fear nothing. At present there are 40 men in Broken Hill gaol and 37 of them are I.W.W.. The I.W.W. ideas and propoganda have a great hold on the Hill; Yet organization is now out of existence. Tom McMillon and his son wish to be remembered to you. Pass this note on to Paddy Armstrong, also remember me to Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Sherman, Bill Johnston and anybody else. Also to Mrs. Green if you should see her. I can receive all the letters anyone writes in six weeks - even if it is a hundred. The class struggle is very accute now; but the future is ours, and Victory is also ours. There is nothing ot fear. I will defend myself in the High Court but I am sure the workers if we go will demand our release - Remember me to all -
Yours Mick Sawtell
(To Mr J. O'Neill, Truth Office, Hay Street Perth.)
