In other industries, the economy is deteriorating: The New York Central Railroad cuts wages of 43,000 employees by almost 23%; the Railway Labor Board authorizes a 12% cut nationally; the Clothing Workers are forced to accept a 15% cut; U.S. Steel will decrease wages three times in this year. Every two weeks, there is a "stretch-out", where workers are called upon to work 24 hours straight. The International Seamen's Union and Marine Engineers Beneficial Association lost a 52 day strike against wage reductions, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled than nothing in the Clayton Act, passed under the Wilson administration, legalized secondary boycotts or protected unions against injunctions brought against them for conspiracy in restraint of trade (Duplex Printing Press vs. Deering).

In November 1921, a vicious ice storm downs telephone and power lines in New England, Worcester is in darkness. It is going to be a very cold winter.

Local 103 Press Secretary, "Major" Capelle, writes, "Peter W. Collins, our former Business Agent and former IBEW International Secretary Treasurer needs to be mentioned in this paragraph. Financial Secretary Fennell says if we had ten more Collins sending in money every month, we could keep up the fight forever."

"I chanced to see one of these checks and it was a beaut." "And I understand he offered more if it were wanted."

The IBEW does not have any records of the Local unions which supported them during the Reid-Murphy split, or they won't divulge them. This act of generosity by one Local 103 member to his supporters back in 1908-1912, proves to me "Local 103 and the IBEW and inside wiremen have kept the IBEW together."