Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-22
A WALKING DELEGATES acRusaDE.'

A WALKING DELEGATES "CRuSADE." "
The action of union labor leaders II
their attempt to organize crusade
against President Roosevelt because OF
lis universally applauded action IN 'he
Miller case is likely to give the cause
shey represent serious setback IN the
rood opinion of the public. 1t is eN-
remedy unfortunate that just when or
ranized labor had fairly succeeded in
gaining large recognition from the
mass OF the people tina. the walking
delegate should obtrude himself to the
detriment of the unions and the dis
gust of thinking people. Any attack
upon the president of tho United States
is an attack upon the government and
an insult flung into the face OF the
chief executive is an insult TO the
whole country The 1900 word message
Gent to President Roosevelt by the Chi
cago Federation of Labor, or rather by
the agitators connected With that body,
discredited the presi dents common
sense and knowledge of affairs. 1t was
not a petition from the workers, but q
slap Of censure from the agitatorss The
action of the Washington organization
was practically a threat. None viii
deny the right of any class to petition
for reform or what it .nagines would
be reform, but the public Will unspar-
ingly condemn any attempts to coerce
by threats or insults a public servant
in the discharge of his office.
Neither the rank and file Of the Labor
unions nor their wiser leaders are to be
charged with this folly, which is GER
tain to be repudiated by sincere and
thoughtful unionists. 1t Is the walking
delegate, the Parks spirit breaking out
In an attempt to stir up the dissension
that furnishes a field for its harvests.
simply an average man and a good cit-
gen, and is not 10 be drawn into con-
fiict With good sense and good govern
ment. The crusade against the presi-
dent iS>r. movement of organized
<16b6r. hut q %rlsk of tbs agitator, and
GENES not from the mass of men VINO
Illustration, but from the parasites
who have fsd we'll and lived easily all
this time al the Expense of the worker
and the employer. The crusade lacks
the deeenty ana respectability which
attaches 10 the workingman every
whers. 70 attribute it to the general
sentiment OF union men would do
patent injustice 10 multitude of ex-
emplary citizens. II is a walking dele
gates crusade.
1t might as well be understood
finally and irrevocably that employ
me,lt under the government Is open to
every citizen without regard to his re-
Hgious or .fraternal affiliations; that |
competency and common decency are |
the only requisites and that the union
card, church letter and a policy tn a
fraternal insurance company are on an
equality of worthlessness SO far as
their power to loose or bind in the civil |
service is concerned. Tie government
shops will remain open shops" The
non-union man Is not TO be taxed to I
pay wages in employment from which
he is barred nor is he to be forced into
any organization against his Will. The
intention of this government is to fur
nish an equality of opportunity. It's
public places are not for union or nom
union men, but for its citizens without
consideration Of aught except citizen
ship and ability. The contract between
the private employer and the men he
employs is. a matter of agreement and
he may unionize or keep "open" his
place of business as agreed upon. All
this is within the rights of each, but the
government has no more right TO make
such a contract with union labor than
with the Methodist church. The Cruz
SADIE is not against Roosevelt, but
against equal opportunity. and will be
resented by all good citizens, union or
non union.
THE COMMUNITY OF INTEREST.
Not long ago a Chicago corporation
posted notices in its offices which
plainly gave Its employees to under-
stand that gambling, betting on horse
races. immoral conduct and cigaret
would render them subject to