The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-31
OCmmun icaed
THE MILL MEN TO THE PEOPLE.
A STATEMENT ISSUED CONCERNING AGITATION OVER


special and class legislation sought for
by the agitators i'll these unions. lhsy
are sowing the wind, and will surely
reap the WhlrlWind
The announcement is openly made DS
the labor union in its official pubhcatlon
that they keep standing legislative com
mttee and paid attorney and that theF
are instructed to use their efforts in order
to secure plank in the next democratic
platform of this state in favor OF the Id
Dor laws they desire
We call attention to the evils that nave
followed in the wake of these labor or
CARNATIONS in other parts of the country
They have never stopped in the legitimate
bounds for which they could properly or
Eanize, but everywhere We see Strikes
riots, intimidation. boycottin2 and dlsor-
der. Already the effort Is being made to
organize the cooks and domestic hein
throughout the south. Already we see the
official organ OF these unions indorsrg
\ band of socialists who have opened nn
in Atlanta for the purpose of dissemnat-
ing socialism in the south.
We have no quarrel with the LABOR
unions as such They have the unques.
toned right to organize for their mutual
benefit the same as any other lnteres'
| or business In the country. We do as
| sert without the fear of successful CON
tradiction. that they have no right 10
, secure special class legislation, discri"n.
| mating against the mills, the farmers. or
| any other interest in the state in favor
| Of themselves any more than any OF
these enterprises have the right to secure
| class legislation against labor. Al we
| ask is equality and freedom from disciiii-
| nation before the law.
| IF the farmers and business INTERESTS
of this state sit idly by and suffer t tIn1
| class of agitator, aided by ulsgruiitlea
politicians and sensationahsts, 70
| their class legislation upon the stdtu ~,
books of this state. the evils Will not pe
confined to the mill men. but Will paIt,
I'VE every branch of industry IN INC
| state. -, o,o,+ vor
ahond fathers working their children IN
| the mills--they becoming dinner toters.
! Following the suggestion made IN re-
cent address by the Georgia Ilor US ~ ss i,ai
| Aesocia ton the last legislature passeu
| n very wise vagrancy law, known as lnS
| Calvin bill by which these Vasapolu
parents are legally declared Vasrant;s,
! if enforced. this law will cure even we
| small amount of evil Of this Kind tha'
NAV exist. without dealing dow 10 one
of fha states great industries. so any
| ious are the mills to cure any such eVlls
that they lave had this law posted IN a''
The Georgia Industrial Association mas
a standing rule prohibiting the working
! of any child under ten years ora III any
| of its mills under any condltiohs, an9
| prohibiting the working of any child
under twelve years old except under Ger
tain wise provisions. and from WORKING
| az night under any conditions.
| We have heretofore asked. and again
urge any party who knows or any v!o-
| lation OF this rule to communicate with
either of the following officers OF the as
| sociatfor.: f. r. Gordon, president Co
lumbus, Ca; II. p; Meikleham, VIC, wee
president, Lndale, Ga; Charles d. Iul-
| Ter secretary and trea Atlanta. Ga
r p Vcrdery chairman, Augusta. Ga;
| + l.. Hand. Pelham, Ga; ]. f. Hanson
| Macon. Ga; Fuller e. Galloway, La
| Grange. Ca; II. l.. Johnson, Palmetto.
executive committee. and promise that
speedy action and redress VIII be forth
coming.
If Won know of such violations, do not
wait until the legislature is IN session
and then come with q plea about httle
! white slaves and all this sensa tional anG
| sentimental appeal to help these aglta-
| tors get their laws through.
| We appeal now to your judgment ana
to the thinking people of the state TO
Join with us in protecting the grown
and development of this great industry
members of the legislature are NOT com
! rnitted by these labor unions. agitatorS
ard SentimentalSts to vote for any OF
| these measures but on the contrary that
| they will vote for the interests OF the
state, the mills and future development
by opposing all such laws.
| The question must be finally settled by
the same force that has made Georgia
such a progressive and at the same time
conservative state. We have no fears of
the result when once the question IS
| property understood and ask the fullest
Investigation and discussion-espec
when freed from political excitement.
GEORGIA INDUSTRIAL ASS n.
BY T. b. Gordon, President