New-York tribune., 1905-01-20

abused. crippled and murdered in dozens and
hundreds by organization or trust, having
for its purpose. thrusting what it has to sell
labOr) upon us whether or no.
Suppose an American in a foreign city should
be chased by mob, caught and beaten uncOn-
sciouS. then his mouth pried open and carbollC
acid poured down his throat. then his ribs
kicked in and his face well stamped 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 action and blow something off
the face of the EARTH if reparation were not
made for the blood of one Of our citizens.
And what answer do we make TO the appeals
of the hundreds of widows and orphans of those
Americans murdered by labor unions? How do
we try to protect the thousands of intelligent
citizens 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
criminal conspiracy a general boycott was or
dered 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: I'VE refuse
to join any conspiracy of organized labor to
ruin publishers. nor viii we discharge any of
our trusted employees upon the orders of any
labor union. If they can make their boycott eff
fective and sink our ship. we will go down
with the captain on the bridge and In com
mand"
This set the writers in labor papers crazy. and
they redoubled their abuse. Finally one Of their
official organs came out with a large double
column denunciatiOn of Battle Greek. calling 1t
"a running sore on the face of Michigan" be-
cause il would not become organized" and
pay in dues to their labor leaders The usual
coarse, villanous epithets common to labor
union writers were INDUCED in.
The result was to weld public sentiment in
Battle Creek for protection. A citizens associa-
ton was started and mass meetings held Good
citizens who happened TO be members of local
unions in some cases quit the unions entirely,
for there is small need of them there.
The working people of Battle Creek are of
the highest order of American mechanics The
majority are not union members, for practically
all of the manufacturers have for years de-
clined to employ union men because of disturb
ances about IL years ago, and the union men
now in the city are among the best citizens.
No city in the State of Michigan pays as high
average wages as Battle Greek, no city of its
size is as prosperous, and no city has so large
a proportion of the best grade OF mechanics
who own their own homes.
So the work people massed together with the
other citizens In the organization of the Citi-
zens Assn with the following preamble and con-
sttutiOn:
Whereas from 1891 to 1894 the strikes insti-
gated by Labor Unions in Battle Creek result
ed in the destruction Of property and loss of
large sums Of money in wages that would have
been expended here; and
Whereas. these acts caused serious damage to
the city and in marked way delayed its prog
ress at that time; and,
Whereas, since the year 1894 the citizens have
been enabled, by public sentiment to prevent
the recurrence of strikes and Labor Union dis
turbances which haze been prevalent else
where; and,
Whereas, the employers Of this city have
steadfastly refused to place the management
of their business under the control of Labor
Unions but have maintained the highest stand
ard OF wages paid under like conditions any
where in the United States, and hereby unani-
mously declared their intent TO continue such
policy; and the employees of this city, a large
percentage of whom own homes and have fami-
lies reared and educated under conditions of
peace and the well earned prosperity of steady
employment, have steadfasty maintained their
right as free American citizens to work with
out the dictatiOn and tyranny of Labor Union
leaders, the bitter experience OF the past offer
Ing sufficient reason for a determined stand for
freedom; and,
Whereas the attitude of the citizens ON this
subject has been the means of preserving peace
full conditions and continuous prosperity In
marked contrast TO the conditions existing In
other cities suffering from the dictation of
Trades Unionism; IL Is therefore
Resolved, that the continuance of peace and
prosperity in Battle Greek can be maintained
and the destructive work of outside Interference
avoided under the combined effort and action OF
all our people, by the formation of Citizens
Association.