The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-24

anu murdered III QOGLIS anu Iull0ICQS
by an organization or trust, having for
its purpose, thrusting what it has to
sell Qabor) upon US whether or no.
Suppose an American IN a foreign city
should be chased by a mob, caught and
beaten unconscious, then his mouth
pried open and carbolic acid poured
down his throat. then his ribs kicked in
and his face we'll tampe with iron
nailed shoes, murdered because he tried
TO earn bread for his children. BY the
Eternal, sir, a fleet of American Men OF
War would assemble there, clear for &C
ton and blow something of h face of
the earth, if reparation were not made
for the blood of one OF our citizens
And wha answer do we make to the
appeals of the hundreds of widows and
orphans of those Americans murdered
by labor unjOns2 How do we try 10
protect the thousands of intelligent cit
liens who, with reason, prefer not to
join any labor union and be subject
to the tyranny of the heavily paid
rulers OF the labor trusts?
Upon a firm refusal by Mr.. Post to
join this crimina conspiracy a general
boycott was ordered on Grape-Nuts and
Postum all over the country, which set
the good red blood OF our ancestors IN
motion. bringing forth the reply that
has now passed into history: we re-
fuse to join any conspiracy of organic
labor to ruin publishers, nor Will we
discharge any of our trusted employees
the orders of any labor union. If
LAA@l "a A-0AA& 1850
and sink our ship, we will go down
with the captain Oh the bridge and in
command"
This set the writer's IN labor papers
crazy and they redoubled their abuse.
Finally one OF their official organs
out with a large double Olumn
denunciation of Battle Creek, calling it
"a running sore on the face of Michi-
because it would not become or
ganized" and pay in dues to their la
Dor eaders. The usual coarse, villain
Gus epithetS common to b union
writer's were INDUCED in.
The result was to weld public senti-
ment in Battle Greek for protection. A
citizens association was started and
mass meetings held. Good citizens VINO
happened to be members of local un-
ions, in some cases quit the unions en-
tirely for there is small need Of them
there.
The working people OF Battle Greek
are of the highest order of American
mechanics. The majority are not union
members for practically all of the man
ufacturers have for years declined to
employ union men because of disturb
ances about IL years ago., and the un-
ion men now in the city are among the
best citizens.
No city in the state of Michigan pays
as high average wages as Battle Creek.
no city of its size is as prosperous,
no city has so large a proportion of the
best grade of mechanics who own their
w homes.
So the work people massed together
with the other citizens in the ~organiza-
ton OF the Citizens Association with
the following preamble and cOnstitu-
Whereas from 1891 to 1894 the strikes
instigated b. Labor Unions in Battle
Greek resulted in the destruction of
and loss of large sums of mon
ey IN wages that wOuld have been ex-
pended here; and,
Whereas, these acts caused serious
damage to the city and in a marked
delayed it's rogre at that time;
and.
Whereas, since the year 1894 the citi-
have been enabled, by public SEN
timent, 10 prevent the recurrence of
which have been prevalent elsewhere;
AID.
Whereas, the employers of this city
steadfastly refused to place the
of their business under
the control of Iabo Unions, but have
maintained the highest standard CT
wages paid under i conditions any
where in the United States, n hereby
unanimously declared their intent TO
such policy; and the employees
of this city, a large percentage of whom
own homes and have families reared
and educated under conditions OF peace
and the w-ell-earned prosperity Of
steady employment, have steadfastly
maintained their right as free Ameri-
can citizens to work without the dicta-
ton and tyranny OF Labor Union Lead
ers, the bitter experience of the past
sufficient reason for a deter
mined stand for freedom; and.
Whereas. the attitude of the citizens
this subject has been the means of
preserving peaceful conditions and con-
tinuous prosperity in marked contrast
the conditions existing in other cities
suffering from the dictation Of Trades
Unionism; L is therefore,
Resolved that Tha continuance nft
peace and prosperity in Battle Creek
can be maintained, and the destructive
work C outside interference avoided
under the combined effort and action Of
our people, by the formation Of d
Association. /