The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-17


years is perhaps 10 times the volume Of
crime and abuse perpetrated by slave
owners during any two years previous 10
the civil war We are I'm a horrible per-
Tod Of lethargy which permits us to stand
idly by while our American citizens are
abused. crippled and murdered i'm dozens
and hundreds by an organization or trust.
having for It's purpose. thrusting what IL
has TO sell 0abor) upon us whether or no.
Suppose an American I'm 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 i'm and his
face we'll stamped with iron nailed shoes.
murdered because he tried to earn bread
for his children BY the Eternal, sir.
fleet OF American Men OF War would
assemble there clear for action and blow
something Off the face of the earth. II
reparstion were not made for the blood Of
one of our citizens
And what answer do We make 10 the
appeals OF the hundreds of widows and
orphans of those Americans murdered ny
labor unions? How DO we try 20 protect
the thousands Of Intelligent citizens who.
with reason. prefer not 10 Join any lahor
union and he subject 10 the tyranny Of
the heavily paid rulers of the labor
trusts?
"
this criminal conspiracy a general boy
cott was ordered on Grape Nuts and
Postum all over the country which set
tho good red blood OF our ancestors I'm
motion, bringing forth the reply that has
now passed into history: We refuse to
Join any conspiracy OF organized labor to
ruin publishers, nor will we discharge any
OF our trusted employees upon the orders
Of any labor union IL they can make
their boycott effective and sink our ship,
We will go down with the captain on the
bridge and I'm command"
This set the writer's i'm labor papers
crazy and they redoubled their abuse
Finally one OF their official organs came
out with a large double column denun-
citation Of Battle Creek. calling IL "a run
ming sore ON the face OF Michigan" be-
cause II would not become organized"
and pay I'm dues 10 their labor leaders
The usual coarse vllianous epithets COM
mon TO labor union writer's were in
dulged In.
The result was 10 weld public senti-
ment in Battle Creek FOR protection. A
citizens association was started and mass
meetings held. Good citizens who hap
pencd TO he members OF local unions.
In some cases quit the unions entirely
for there H. small need OF them there
The working people OF Battle Creek are
or the highest order OF American me-
chanics The majority are not union
members. for practically all Of the manu-
facturers have for wears declined 10 en-
ploy union men because Of disturbances
about II years ago, and the union men
now IN the city are among the best
citizens
No city I'm tho state Of Michigan paws
as high average wages IA Battle Creek
no city of It's size Is as prosperous. and no
city has so large proportion Of tho
best grade 81 mechanics who own their
own homes.
So the work people massed together
with the other citizens I'm the organiza-
tion Of the Citizens ASSN with tho follow
ing preamble and constitution:
Whereas from 1891 10 1904 the strlles
instlgated bv Labor Unions in Rattle
Greek resulted in the destruction of
property and loss ~ large sums of money
In wages that would have been expended
hero. and
Whereas. these acts caused serious
damage 20 the city and in a marked way
delayed IFS progress ~ that time. and
Whereas, since the year 1894 the
citizens have been enabled nv nublic
ointment. % prevent the recurrence of
strikes and Labor linton disturbances
which have been prevalent elsewhere:
and
Whereas. tho employers ~ this city
have steadfastly refused 20 place the
~ their business under the
control ~ Labor unions but have main
tnined the highest standard ~ wages
paid under like conditions anywhere In
tho Tnlted Statesa and hereby unanimous
~ declared their intent TO continue such
policy: aud the employees of this citv a
large percentage of whom own homes
and have families reared and educated
under conditions of peace and the we'll
earned prosperity of steady employment.
have steadfastlv maintained their right
"a free American citizens 90 work without
the dictstion and tyranny of Labor Union
leaders the bitter experience ~ the past
Offering sufficient reason for determined
stand for freedom. and.
Whereas. tho attitude of the citlzens on
this subject has been the means 81 pre-
serving peaceful conditions and continu-
Gus prosperity in marked contrast IN the