The Grit-advocate., 1905-02-03

upon us whetherVjr no.
Suppose an American in foreign
city should be chased by mob. caught
and beaten unconscious. then MS
mouth pried open and carbolic acio
poured down his throat. then his rios
kicked in and his face well stamped
with iron nailed shoes. murdered be-
cause he tried TO earn bread for his
children. By the Eternal. sir. fleet
of American men OF war would assem-
BILE there. clear for action and blow
something of the face OF the earth.
II 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 muir
dered by labor unions? How do We
try to protect the thousands OF intelli.
gent 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 firm refusal by MIR. Post to
join this criminal conspiracy gen
eral boycott was ordered on Grape
Nuts and Postum all over the coun-
try. which set the good red blood OF
our ancestors in 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. II they
can make their boycott effective and
sink our ship. we will go down with
the captain on the bridge and in com
mand''
This set the writer's in labor papers
crazy and they redoubled their abuse.
Finally one of their official organs
came out with a large double column
in denunciation of Battle Greek. call
ing 1t "a running sore on the face OF
Michigan" because it would not be-
come organized" and pay in dues to
their labor leaders. The usual coarse.
villainous epithets common to labor
union writer's were INDUCED in.
The result was to weld public SEN
timent in Battle Creek for protection
A citizens association was started.
and mass meetings held. Good citi-
zens 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 disturbances about eleven 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
Creek. no city of its size is as pros
porous. and no city has so large a pro-
portion of the best grade of mechanics
who own their own homes.
So the work people massed together
with the other citizens Of the orsani-
zation of the Citizens Assn with the
following preamble and constitution:
Whereas. From 1891 to 1894 the
strikes instigated by labor un.cns in
Battle Creek resulted in the destruc-
ton 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 il market
way DELAYED its progress at that time;
and
Whereas. Since the year 1894 the
citizens have been enabled, by public
sentiment. 10 prevent the recurrence
OF strikes and labor union disturb
ances which have 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 standard OF
| wages paid under like conditions any
where in the United States. and here
by unanimously declared their intent
to continue such policy: and the en-
| ployes OF this city. a large percentage
| of whom own homes and have fami.
| lies reared and educated under Condi.
! ,ions of peace and the well-earned
prosperity o: steady employment. have
| steadfastly maintained their right as
| free American citizens TO work with.
| ont the dictation and tyranny OF labor
union leaders. the bitter experience OF
| the past offering sufficient reason for
I a determined stand for freedom: and
| Whereas, The attitude of the cit!.
| zens on this subject has been the
means of preserving peaceful condi.
| tions and continuous prosperity. in
| marked contrast to the conditions eS.
| isting in other cities suffering from,
(he dictatiou OF trades unionism; it is
! therefore
Resolved That the continuance O,
! 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 o
a Citizens Association
rnNSTJTJ-TI0N