Price 25 cents

Education Department
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union,
3 West 16th St.
New York City

Episode I. Arrive in the Land of Liberty
Episode II. Dawn and the Birth of the International
Episode III. The Awakening of the Women (Shirtwaist Workers)
Episode IV. Reaping the Harvest (Cloakmakers, 1910)
Episode V. The Triangle Fire
Episode VI. The Blue Eagle Flies

When these episodes were originally presented over WEVD, phonograph records were made. Some groups adapting for the stage have used the transcriptions of Episode V (with the aid of special turntable and loud-speakers) for the difficult Triangle Fire scene. Alternatively, that scene can be played for the point of view of two onlookers instead of from inside the workshop. For more ambitious adaptations, dramatics directors and groups should study the pageant, "Surging Forward," produced under the auspices of the St. Louis Joint Board, July, 1936.

Episode V. The Triangle Fire - (1911)

Narrator:

Last week, we left the garment workers celebrating their victory in the streets of New York. According to an eye witness it was early morning before the streets were emptied of the masses of humanity. The rejoicing of the workers was fully justified, for it was the first time in the history of the industry that a collective agreement had been signed between the union and an employers' association whose member controlled the greater part the trade in New York.

The spirit of organization awakened by the Great Revolt, as that strike has come to be known, began to spread to the women's trades, those branches of the garment industry where most of the workers were women and young girls. But there was one factory in New York City which the union, despite every effort, could not penetrate to any great extent. That was the Triangle Waist Company. There, in a huge building ten storied high, more that a thousand women and young girls, with a sprinkling of men, worked form eight in the morning until six at night. On Saturdays, as a slight concession to "modern ideas," work ended at five.

One Saturday afternoon, in the spring of 1911, the girls were speeding up their work in the final fifteen minutes before closing time---

(Hum of electric power, machines. Voices of girls are tense, as if ready to leave off at first sight of the foreman.)

Bessie:

Rose---

Rose:

What?

Bessie:

If we lose each other in the rush going out, don't forget---

Rose:

What?

Bessie:

My wedding's at two o'clock tomorrow---

Rose:

I'll be there...Can I kiss the groom?

Bessie:

(Giggling) I don't mind.

Rose:

Give me another look at your ring---

Bessie:

Again?

Rose:

It's beautiful. I'm jealous.

Bessie:

You'll have one some day too. Besides, you've got a fellow already...that's what counts.

Rose:

Gee...how does it feel...your last few minutes in this dump?

Bessie:

I'm that excited I can hardly work now. Tom's waiting downstairs for me.

Rose:

Again?

Bessie:

H'hmmmmm...we're going to look at furniture.

Rose:

What kind?

Bessie:

Bedroom. I want bird's eye maple by Tom---

Rose:

Quiet! Hush...Here comes Hanley---

Bessie:

With the pay envelopes! (The foreman approaches, calling out each name as he distributes the money)

Foreman (Hanley):

Birdie Williams, Miriam Nussbaum, Tessie Bianco, Lily Koch, Rose Graham, Bessie White...Well, Queen Bessie, how's the five-and-ten diamonds?

Bessie:

The ring's worth more than I'd make in this place in a year!

Hanley:

What did you have to do to get it, sweetheart? (Giggles from some) Come on, tell us.

Bessie:

You keep your dirty hands off me!

Hanley:

You'd better get used to it! Ain't you gettin' married tomorrow?

Bessie:

Not from you I don't have to get used to it!

Hanley:

Pretty fresh, ain't you, on you last day here.

Bessie:

That's why. I almost think I'd get married if it was only for the satisfaction of being able to talk back to you!

Hanley:

All right. That's enough out of you. Go on back to work, all of you. It's not five o'clock yet. Katherine O'Dell, here's your money...Mary Connelly...Gertie Cohon...75 cents off your money this week, Gertie, my girl. Maybe we better raise the price of talking up to a dollar a throw. You might learn to keep your mouth shut...Ruth Simon...

Miriam:

(Rushing up) Mr. Hanley...MR. HANLEY!---

Hanley:

What do you want?...Louise---

Miriam:

What does this mean...this note I found in my pay envelope?

Hanley:

Can't you read?...Louise---

Miriam:

But why...WHY am I being fired?

Hanley:

Remember where you were last night after eight o'clock?

Miriam:

What business is it of yours where I go after I finish work?

Hanley:

As long as you stay away from union meetings, we don't care if you walk the streets. (Some giggles. "Oh" "Listen to him")

Miriam:

Go on, girls, laugh! Have a good time. Somebody's a rat in this place and I think I know who it is...Oh, I'm not saying, don't worry---

Hanley:

Go on back to your seat, now---

Miriam:

Not before I say a few things---

Hanley:

GET OUT. I TELL YOU---

Voice:

(Screaming) Miriam...put the scissors down!

Miriam:

I won't put them down. And you, Hanley...one step nearer and I'll cut you to pieces. Listen, girls...there's more than a thousand of you in this place---

Hanley:

Get out, you! Quit your gassin! Those girls have to work if they wanna get out tonight---

Miriam:

I'M TALKING! THIS IS MY LAST CHANCE AND BELIEVE ME I'M TAKING IT---Listen to me, girls, a thousand of you in a union and you'd have something to say around here. You wouldn't have to stand for this bully searching you every night before you go home...as if we'd steal the stuff! And even if we did it'd be no wonder, seeing what they pay us here!

Voices:

Stop it---
You'll have us cryin' in a minute.
There's plenty of people would be glad for these jobs!

Miriam:

Not anymore! You can't find any good workers in New York who don't belong to the union now. You're the fools...right here in the Triangle!

Voices:

Says you.

Miriam:

Remember two years ago? During the strike? A lot of us were mean enough to come here scabbing. Because they promised us free lunches and dancing noontime. Sure, I fell for it too. And look at this place...it's like a regular prison, why, only the other day the "Call" was saying this place is a regular firetrap---

Voices:

A regular Calamity Jane.
That's the way she always goes on...

Miriam:

All right. I'm through. Here are your scissors. (Clatter of scissors)

Hanley:

Come on, you. Out you go. We'll fix you for this.

Miriam:

Keep away from me! I'll go by myself.

Hanley:

I'll see you out. (Their voices begin to recede)

Miriam:

As for you, you big bully...you're no better than the men who stand on the street corners and...LET ME GO! (screams) Listen, girls...at least, make them give you more air and sunshine...Remember...the union is waiting for you...they'd come to this place if THE DOORS WEREN'T LOCKED--- (The door slams)

Voices:

Out she goes.

This place is a regular madhouse, if you ask me.

Say, what did she mean when she said that paper...whatever was its name...called this place a firetrap?

Oh, my brother showed it to me. It's some Socialist paper...just a lot of propaganda, he says.

Say, did you hear what the foreman upstairs said to one of the girls...you know, ...Hannah...that pretty blonde one?

Oh, her---

Where are you going on you honeymoon, Bessie?

No honeymoon for us. We're spending our money on a home.

Keep quiet, girls...Hanley'll be back in a minute and it'll mean fines all around.

(A few seconds of silence)

Rose:

What's that funny smell?

Bessie:

(Sniffing) Smells like something burning---

Rose:

Must be burning leaves again over in Washington Square.

Bessie:

Burning leaves? In spring?

Voice:

My fellow is taking me for a walk in Central Park tonight.

2nd voice:

It's nice there this time of year.

3rd voice:

(From a distance) Say, do you girls smell anything funny down there?

Rose:

Are you getting it too? (Cries outside of "Fire" "Fire")

Bessie:

Did you hear that? There's a fire somewhere---

Voice:

Let's take a look out the window...maybe it's nearby.

Rose:

Come on, Bessie...let's look...you can wave to Tom while you're at it.

Bessie:

Look! Isn't that smoke coming through the window?

Rose:

Where?

Bessie:

Wait...yes...there it is again--- ("Fire!"..."Fire in the Triangle!")

Rose:

Did you hear that? This place is on fire...GIRLS...THE BUILDING'S ON FIRE!

Bessie:

IT'S UPSTAIRS...QUICK...WE CAN GET OUT BEFORE IT COMES DOWN HERE...I CAN SEE IT OUT THE WINDOW---

Voices:

Come on, everybody...out the door.

OPEN THE DOOR DOWN THERE...THERE'S A FIRE!

(Voices recede)

THE DOOR IS LOCKED

It can't be...for God's sake, pull hard!

IT'S LOCKED, I TELL YOU---

(They bang on the door)

Open the door, somebody...OPEN THE DOOR...WE'RE LOCKED IN!

Let's all push hard---

NO USE, IT OPENS IN THIS WAY...GET AWAY FROM THE DOOR...WE'LL PULL!

LOOK, THE SMOKE'S COMING IN THE DOOR...UP THERE...THROUGH THE CRACK---

OH MY GOD...WHAT'LL WE DO---

Nobody hears us...(BANGING)

NOBODY HEARS US NOW---

IT'S TOO LATE!

Down the fire escape!

It's our only chance---

Where is it?

Down that end.

Hurry up!

Don't push.

GET OUT OF MY WAY

LOOK OUT...LILY FELL DOWN...PICK HER UP---

LET HER GET UP---

YOU'RE STEPPING ON ME...(SCREAM)

HERE IT IS...CLIMB OUT...QUICKLY, FOR GOD'S SAKE!

I'M AFRAID...IT'S SO NARROW...(Whispering) I'll fall---

Would you rather be burnt alive?

Hold me while I climb on to it---

GO ON...WE ALL WANT TO GO DOWN

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, TILLIE?

(Fire engines...crowd outside)

Good bye, girls...good luck.

We'll see you downstairs.

Look, they're coming down from upstairs!

LET SOME FROM THIS FLOOR GET ON.

I'M GOING NEXT---

I WAS HERE FIRST---

BESSIE...BESSIE WAS HERE FIRST.

I'LL WAIT TILL THE REST GO.

THEN LET ME ON...GOODBYE---

(There is a tremendous crash...and a noise as of thunder)

OH...(SCREAMS) IT BROKE...THE LADDER BROKE!

MY HAIR IS BURNING---

HELP US, SOMEBODY DOWN THERE...HELP US...WE'LL BE BURNT UP!

I CAN'T STAND IT ANY LONGER...I'M GOING TO JUMP...LOOK OUT!

DON'T JUMP...YOU'LL BE KILLED---

We'll be killed anyway---

Rose:

I'm going to jump too---

Bessie:

NO...ROSE...DON'T...THERE'S STILL A CHANCE.

Rose:

NOT ANYMORE---

Bessie:

Then I'll jump with you.

Rose:

Then put your arms around me...we'll jump together...Are you ready, Bessie?...CLOSE YOUR EYES---

(The voices cease...the roar increases, then dies out during the following lines)

(If possible, the deep booming of a drum...)

Man's Voice:

Whereas these, our sisters and our brothers, will have died in vain if this occasion pass without a full and firm expression of indignation...and share...and grief with which the hour has been received by all. Now, therefore be it resolved---

Woman's Voice:

...that we who are here assembled deplore and condemn the blindness of officials who fatuously permit such conditions to continue---

Man's Voice:

...the greed of employers who do not welcome, but instead, punish with dismissal employees who demand safe conditions to continue---

Woman:

We call upon the people of our city---

Man:

...and state

Woman:

...and nation---

Man:

To call to account all who are responsible for such conditions...and to take stops to render it impossible that we should ever again be compelled to bow our heads in helpless grief---

Woman:

...and rage---

Man:

...and shame

Woman:

...at that which human forethought could so easily have prevented."

Narrator:

The next morning, a Sunday, in many a home over the country, families lingered over their breakfasts:

Mother (Jane):

Henry, leave that newspaper and eat your eggs before they get cold. Henry...did you hear me?

Henry:

I heard you...Katie---

Katie:

What, pop?

Henry:

How many fire escapes have you got in that factory you work in?

Katie:

What a funny question, Pop...Gee, I don't know...I don't know whether we have any at all. I never really noticed---

Henry:

Do they keep the doors open all the time?

Jane:

Henry, what's the matter with you? Are you going mad?

Henry:

Listen to this, Katie...you too, Jane---"One hundred and sixty-one shirtwaistmakers, most of whom were women and young girls, were burned to death last evening in a fire which completely destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of goods."

Jane:

How dreadful---

Katie:

That's terrible---

Henry:

But listen to this...further down---"the owners of the factory were among the survivors, having run to the roof and escaped to another building when the fire started. It is claimed that no attempt was made to notify the girls of the fire. Furthermore, a through examination of the building after the fire was extinguished revealed that most of the doors had remained locked throughout the tragedy."

Katie:

The doors locked!

Jane:

What was the matter with their fire escapes?

Henry:

"In a frantic effort to escape through the windows, the one flimsy fire ladder was crowded to capacity, and adding to the general confusion and terror, it broke, plunging dozens of women to their deaths eight stories below. (Both women make exclamations of fright) The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union---"

Katie:

Oh, I know about them---

Henry:

How do you know?

Katie:

Some man was around at the factory talking to us about starting a union in our place. He says corset workers belong to that union.

Henry:

Is that right? It might not be a bad thing to join up with them. The paper says that that union published a lot of articles in the newspapers about that factory...long before this happened.

Jane:

There ought to be some kind of law against allowing people to work in factories like that.

Henry:

Hmph...if you left it to the government there'd never be any laws like that. I'll wager if anything's done it'll be because the union will push it.

Katie:

You remember I told you, pa, how they fired some girls last year over at our place for trying to start a union.

Henry:

Well, you find out about this union. The International...that's it...it looks good to me. They're starting a drive for sanitary conditions all over the country---

Katie:

Oh, our factory's clean enough if it comes to that---

Henry:

But you're not making half of what you should...seven dollars a week is no money for six full days of work. The union can help you get more if you stand by it.

Jane:

Oh, Henry...young girls like Katie shouldn't get into such things. It only means trouble and fighting.

Henry:

Maybe you'd like her to burn up alive instead? You listen to me, Katie...you find that union, and join up! Sure it means fighting, but in these times a body can't stand alone. I'll stand by you, if you get into trouble---

Narrator:

Unionism was already in the air. But the Triangle Fire gave added impetus to the movement. Through the years that followed new locals were formed over the country.

In 1912---

Voice:

Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Narrator:

In 1913---

Voice:

Boston, Massachusetts.

Narrator:

In 1916---

Voice:

Chicago

Narrator:

In 1918---

Voice:

Cleveland

Narrator:

In 1919 and the fight for week work and the forty hour week---

Voice:

Los Angeles, San Francisco---

Narrator:

By 1920, the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union had become a powerful force in the American labor movement, and a pioneer on many fronts.

But with the coming of the worst financial depression in the history of capitalism, the International, like other unions, began to weaken. Workers forgot that in a depression, even more than during prosperity, solidarity is their only weapon. They began to drift away from the union when they lost their jobs and those who remained at work became more and more helpless as their numbers diminished.

When the National Recovery Act was signed by President Roosevelt in the spring of 1933, unemployment had reached a new peak, and in the garment industry, the sweatshop had again begun to rear its ugly head.

At the news of the NRA, workers everywhere roused themselves. Was it a threat to what rights remained to them? Was it a great gift to labor, or was it a challenge to their potential force?

Listen next week, and hear how the International pioneered yet again in providing its own answer.

The Story of the ILGWU: A Radio Play in Six Episodes, typescript, no date, Archives Union File, Box 192, Cornell University, Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Ithaca, New York.