Article by Linda Digby, Executive Director of the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site outside Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

In the years between the wars, Drumheller was a hotbed of Communist activity. Communism was popular because it advocated for the rights of miners, during a time when miners were underpaid, under worked, discriminated against, and living in intolerable conditions.

The Communist Party of Canada (CPC) arose in Drumheller in 1922. In 1924, the Junior League and Women’s League of the CPC were formed. The Junior League, which had 150 members, was extremely active, and created no small disruption at school.

The CPC organized picnics, dances, and other social activities. The CPC also formed the first orphanage for miners’ children. Its popularity increased.Many residents looked on fearfully as Communism flourished. They believed the large numbers of Eastern European immigrants, especially the Hungarians in East Coulee, were responsible for the party’s spread through the Drumheller Valley. In fact, the party had supporters from every nationality, and the local leaders were primarily of British or Canadian origin.

The leader of the Drumheller local was ex-prizefighter Lewis McDonald, from the Maritimes. McDonald endeared himself to miners when he assaulted a mine owner and a police officer during a pithead demonstration. McDonald was jailed, but released on bail to resume his activities on behalf of the miners. Indeed, he was jailed and released many times.

The CPC was put to the test during the strike of 1925. Mine operators wanted to reduce wages due to a slump in the market. At this time, miners were already earning much less than they needed for food, clothing and shelter. Nevertheless, some miners were willing to work at reduced wages rather than have no work at all. This position was championed by the conservative UMWA (United Mine Workers of America). Taking the other stance, the CPC wanted to hold out for better wages.

The battle grew bitter, with CPC men and women hurling rocks and insults at UMWA men as they went to work under police escort. People traveled everywhere in groups for protection. Violence escalated, and a machine gun was positioned in downtown Drumheller to control the crowds. One mine community was labeled “The Western Front.”

A propaganda campaign blamed the “Red Menace” on the “foreign element.” This inflamed racial tension between the miners, and led to more violence. A civil war of miners was the result. A group whose interests were best served by working together turned against each other. The result was backsliding of union strength in the Drumheller coalfields, which took years to recover.

Within the CPC itself, members were becoming fed up with Lewis McDonalds tactics. McDonald was known to attack anyone who disagreed with him, party member or not. Many people left the party as a result. The Drumheller CPC collapsed in 1927. However, Communism wasn’t dead. It continued to be a potent force within mine labour unions for years to come.

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Copyright 2006 Drumheller Community Futures and the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site