The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-15

know the real animus of the coal operators
towards the United Mine Workers of Amer
lea Forms of the Citizens Alliance are
springing up in various cities where union
ism is very strong The writer is not able
to learn whether there is a definite con-
nection between the organizations in differ
ent cities, although it is certain there is
a close sympathy, if not an actual rela-
tionship.
In this city there is but one known mem
Der of the organization. His name is J.
Ridgeway Wright. He is a man of indie
pendent means, as we'll as of action and
thought These essentials are necessary
TO one who wants to be identified with such
a movement He has been a Democratic
politician of influence, at one time being
chairman of the county central commit
tee He has no active business connections
and, therefore, fears nothing on that score.
As politician he, of necessity. retires for
a few years, as no one can hope to do any
thing in politics here if he openly opposes
the unions. He has plenty Of nerve and
is creating more than o local stir by the
activity and aggressiveness of the fight
which he is making against union methods.
A very good illustration of how Major
Wright is proceeding is given by reprint
ing the following advertisement. which ap-
pears in display form in the Wilkesbarre
newspapers:
BUSINESS MEMS GOSSIP.
81 -Rewards-S1,O 900.
$500.
We offer the following rewards for pro-
curing prosecutions approved by U.S. the
conviction and punishment of the persons
guilty OF perpetrating in the Wyoming
valley:
Conspiracy to boycott-S1,0O0.
Violence TO persons or property, in re-
venge for taking or giving employment, or
III interference with the right to labor or
employ labOr-$50O.
Hanging effigy with like motive-S5O0.
Disregard of duty by public officers, in
respect TO the foregoing offenses-$5OO.
Looting and destroying the property of
Mrs John Snyder, in Wilkesbarre town
ship, on or about the 18th ult.-S1, 900.
Writing or sending the following letters
Plymouth, Pa, June p. 1902.
Mr.. and Madam:
You are hereby notified TO move from
the house you now occupy, at your earliest
convenience, as your lives and furniture are
in danger by living, with the scabs. -
-- - --. Now take warning by
this and get out as soon as you can for
your things Will go up in smoke along with
theirs. Now, remember we mean what we
say and not fooling. take warning and
From six union members.
plymouth, Pa.
Up. s.-Please give this to your land
lord and warn him at once.
Committee of Six"
The entire advertisement is signed bv
THE Citizens Alliance of Wilkesbarre.
j. Ridgeway Wright, leader"
BUSINESS MEMS REASONS.
That Major Wright and his association
has the support of many of the business
men and conservative citizens OF this city
there can be no doubt. They pay into a
treasury under his control comparative lib
eral supplies OF money He is hiring detec-
tives and other necessary persons for the
detection and prosecution of men for the
offenses named and is using other means
less we'll known for the suppression of the
methods of unionism. The business men
who will talk informally of the movement
say they are actuated by two reasons:
First, the methods of the union are strang-
ling the business life of the community.
and, second. the union Is causing intermit-
tent strikes which make mercantile enter
prises commercially unsafe and unproht-
able
without expectation Of being able to de-
termine the propriety or necessity Of such
secret movement on the part OF the bust
ness men against uniOnism, the writer
made an investigation 10 learn the cOndi-
tons which could give birth 10 such an
extraordinary society. First, il was found
that unionism embraces IN this, as well as
most of the other mining centers, nearly
every form of employment. The clerks.
the BARRIERS. bakers, teamsters, cooks wait
ers. carpenters, paper-hangers, painters.
plumbers. PAYERS, car drivers. hackmen
butchers bricklayers, plasterers bartend-
ers icemen. horseshOers. and, in short
nearly every trade which appertains to CO.
nestle life, mercantile, manufacturing and
commercial affairs generally. These or
ganizatiops not only exist. but In those
cities where unionism is universal they live