Published by the Socialist Party of Rhode Island with an initial office at 50 Verndale Avenue in Providence, the Labor Advocate had a clear agenda and appeared at an important time in Rhode Island and American labor history. It was a self-declared “strictly union paper” and was even “printed and published by Union Labor.”

The first issue also reported on the “Lawrence Strike” in nearby Massachusetts, which involved approximately 27,000, mostly immigrant, textile workers. Led by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), the violent but ultimately successful strike began January 12 and ended March 14 of that year and was known as the Strike of Bread and Roses

The newspaper began a tally list of labor strikes by state and of “8-hour victories,” as reduced working day was a major labor touchstone. In Providence, workers were striking at Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing, the world’s largest tool company. The newspaper ran open condemnations of housing conditions for mill workers in Rhode Island and throughout the country.

Platforms of the Socialist Party of Rhode Island and the national party, as well as world news of socialist politics and politicians, were featured in each issue. Much coverage was given to Eugene V. Debs who won almost one million votes in the 1912 presidential election. More merchant advertisements started to appear as time progressed, and the newspaper gained popularity. Also advertised were events to benefit and organize the Socialist Party of Rhode Island. such as excursions and picnics. It soon added a “Social Forms and Entertainments” column, which was run next to articles criticizing wealthy families like the Vanderbilts for throwing lavish, expensive parties.

In 1913, the Labor Advocate started to run listings of local branches of the Socialist Party of Rhode Island. The different ethnic groups each had their own meeting, so there was one for the English, French, German, Jewish, and Polish. By 1915, Finnish, Swedish, Bohemian, Russian, Belgian, and Portuguese branches were added.

George H. Walsh was the sole proprietor in 1912, and Robert F. Hunt was eventually listed as editor. The office was at 26 Custom House Street. The next year Helen K. Dougherty and James P. Reid were added as associate editors. The newspaper was taken over or replaced by the Labor World which was published in Woonsocket starting October 16, 1915 with Joseph E. Kucher as managing editor.

Newspaper The Labor Advocate (Providence, R.I.) 1912-1915

HOLDING: Rhode Island Hist Soc Libr, Providence, RI

Available as:

Dates:

Last updated: