Tag: August 1919
Steel Strike Saga: Workers on the Brink of Chaos
On a sweltering August 30, 1919, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the air was thick with tension as labor unions threatened to bring the steel industry to its knees. The workers, led by John Kilgourie (corrected from ‘Kilzpalriek’), had given Judge Gary, head of the United States Steel corporation, an ultimatum: respond to their demands by Friday,…
Albert Fall, Treaty Obstruction, New Mexico 1919
In a shocking display of Congressional discord, a fiery debate over the Shantung amendment erupted in the Senate on August 28, 1919. The amendment, a contentious aspect of the Treaty of Versailles, had been a focal point of contention since its presentation by President Wilson. Senator Albert Fall, a Republican from New Mexico, took center…
Al Jennings, Henry Porter, Violent Crime, Memphis TN, 1919
Deep within the confines of the Memphis prison, a somber and oppressive atmosphere hung heavy in the air. The inmates had been eerily silent that night, their usual chatter and murmurs replaced by an unsettling stillness. It was as if they were holding their collective breath, waiting for some long-awaited news. And then, it came.…
Berlin’s Wild Pursuit of Pleasure: A City in Free Fall
In the sweltering summer of 1919, Berlin’s residents were throwing caution to the wind, embracing a devil-may-care spirit that would leave even the most seasoned gambler bewildered. It was a time of great upheaval, four years of war having left the city reeling, and the people seeking solace in the intoxicating allure of champagne and…
Retailers, Price Fixing, Texas 1919
In the sweltering summer of 1919, a sinister tale of profiteering unfolded in the streets of Laredo, Texas. Retailers, backed by powerful wholesalers and manufacturers, were accused of fleecing the unsuspecting public with exorbitant prices. The National Association of Clothing Manufacturers had made a chilling prophecy: next year, a suit of wool clothes would cost…
WaterGate Scandal Rocks El Paso: Brook’s Canal Cover-Up?
In a shocking turn of events, El Paso’s highly-anticipated High Line Canal project has been shrouded in controversy, with allegations of backroom deals and government corruption swirling around a key player. E. Brook, advisor to the High Line Canal Committee, has just returned from Washington, D.C. after a four-week stint of secret meetings with Interior…
Profiteers in Plain Sight: Wilson Takes Aim at Railway Wage Scandal
In a bold move, President Woodrow Wilson took on the rising tide of profiteering in the nation’s capital, urging Congress to postpone its recess and investigate the lucrative wage demands of railway employees. On August 1, 1919, Wilson penned a letter to Speaker of the House Frederick Gillett, requesting that lawmakers delay their summer break…
