. . . We, the I.W.W., stand on our two
feet, the class struggle and industrial unionism, and coolly say
we want the whole earth." When the great union has become
universal, it will simply take possession of its own, will "lock
the employers out for good as owners and parasites, and give them
a chance to become useful toilers." The resistance that will
assuredly be made to this process of absorption is to be met by
direct action, the general strike, and sabotage--a trinity of
phrases imported from Europe, each one of special significance.
"The general strike means a stoppage of work," says Emma Goldman
with naive brevity. It was thought of long before the I.W.W.
existed, but it has become the most valuable weapon in their
arsenal. Their pamphlets contain many allusions to the great
strikes in Belgium, Russia, Italy, France, Scandinavia, and other
European countries, that were so widespread as to merit being
called general. If all the workers can be induced to stop work,
even for a very brief interval, such action would be regarded as
the greatest possible manifestation of the "collective power of
the producers."
Direct action, a term translated directly from the French, is
more difficult to define. This method sets itself in opposition
to the methods of the capitalist in retaining control of
industry, which is spoken of as indirect action. Laws, machinery,
credits, courts, and constabulary are indirect methods whereby
the capitalist keeps possession of his property.
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