Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1905-09-28

A great many persons who are pos
sessed of reasonable intelligence have
formed widely varied opinions regard !
ing the virtues and vices, merits and
demerits of unionism and union men.
Such persons, if in any way unsettled
in their opinions, should attend meet
ings such as was held at Whitwell
Monday, when w. B. Wilson, of Indi-
annapolis, Sec Treasurer of the Nation
al Board of U. NJ. W. of A., w. R.
Farley, of Birmingham, National
Board Member, Joseph Vasey, Nation
al Board Member, and f. Bowden,
President of District 10, addressed the
Union men, their families and friend.
The meeting was opened at 10;30, q.
M, in a grove back of Red Mems Hall,
by John F. Bowden, who acted as
chairman for the occasion, and ferv-
rent prayer was made by Rev. R. j.
Moore Mr. Bowden then introduced
Joe Vasey, of Knoxville who proceed
ed to make speech in Vasey's charac-
teristic style. Mr.. Vasey first called
attention to the notable speakers pres
ent, then turning to the union princi-
pies, said that they were the same to-
day as they had been in years past. He
condemned in unmeasured terms that
young girl, Miss Willie Carlyon, well
qualified for teaching had been refused
the right to teach primary class in
the Whitwell public school because she
was union in sentiment, and her faith
er was union man, and had so ex-
pressed himself, characterizing it as an
outrage.
Speaking Of the boycott instituted
against the News Mr.. Vasey said that
no fight had been raised against it as
long as it printed non union letters and
said nothing editorially that they did
not want to hear, but that as soon as
the editors Of the News saw that fell
low citizens were being harshly criti-
cised, they fell out with it Immediate
~. He regretted the absence of the
large crowd of Labor Day, which mark
ed one of the largest occurrences ever
held in Whitwell Speaking of Whit
we'll Local 297, he said that it had
made an enviable record in paying as
sessments and dues and that during
the Bon Air strike it had voluntarily
increased its assessment one dollar per
month to assist the striking miners
there. He made point that strike that
was expected to last only two months,
has now been extended to nearly fif-
teen, and that the men felt more like
continuing the struggle than ever. He
mentioned the success of the co-opera-
tive store, which conclusively showed
the advantage of cooperation. He al.
luded to the fact that the price of min.
ing coal previous to the formation OF
the union was 35c to SOC per ton, and
that the struggles of the union had
raised it from 4519c to 5219c. He stat.
ed that the company desired to bring
back the pernicious contract system
''This is our home, and we are here tt
stay and work as union men, he said
He said further that the union mer
could best prove the position by stand
ing firm and pushing the fight, an(
that in his belief, union coal would
again be mined at Whitwell HI
brought great applause when he quotes
the corporation lawyer as saying h
would be glad for the union to sign 1
contract to let them alone. He com
Ill 4nI on1nraI Local No ESA
of Whitwell, as having no deserter
from its ranks. In conclusion he said
''Stand firm, keep cool, fall out will
the little brown jug and fight a goo
fight and we shall win"
MR.. WILSON SPEAKS.
W. B. Wilson, of indianapolis, wa
then introduced. Mr.. Wilson is Sec
Treasurer of the U. NJ. W. of A, an
through him is received the "Mitche
grub that keeps the people from sui
fering.
Mr.. Wilson expressed great pleasuI
at meeting the union men of Whitwel
but said he would have greater pleas
ure in meeting certain misguided pee
pie, who are taking bread from ii
mouths of other people, and eventua
ly from their own mouths, becaus
they fancy little benefit will accru
to them at once, and who. for hit
present benefit, are anxious to sacr
fee the future prosperity of themselv'
and others. He said he believed in Il
union shop for it was the only she
wher, the workers could get fa
measure Of Justice Hitherto thel
was no trouble in the small shop whei
employer and employed worked togetl
er, but that of recent years the grei
corporations had sprung mp and Il
worker was SO far removed from h
employer that the latter knew nothir
II his conditions. There was no. SCI
timent Of the heart to restrain gree