The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-07-22
Effect OF THE OPEN SHOP ON
BuSlNERR.

Because of the fact that the town
OF Battle Creek, Mich, has been select
ed by the various ion-hating as
sociations as place to try the open
5 shop scheme, that little city has been
attracting a great deal of attention OF
late In last months Journal IN ac-
count was given of industrial con-
ditions there. Below we present O copy
OF a circular that has just been is
sued by the Independent business men
of that city. They have taken up the
task Of Kidding the town OF the business
may prove to be the beginning OF an
association. national in scope, which
will forever put a quietus on the I'M
American schemes Of the Grapenuts
Post type OF business men,
To the Citizens Of Battle Creek.
At an informal meeting Of inde-
pendent business men, who are not
connected with the Business Mems A.
ISOLATION or Post Alliance, a Mer-
chants Protective League was orga-
hized. The action Of c. w. Post in
again inserting uncalled-for attacks on
organized labor, In the local press, was
discussed and heartily condemned. It
was decided that II they were continu-
I'D, the league would consider it to be
their duty to call a mass meeting of
all the citizens Of Battle Creek to
emphatically repudiate the action of
Post. which has placed Dur city in
such an unfavorable light with the out
side world, and by antagonizing the
Workingmen, who now spend a large
part of their earnings in netghboring
cities. helped to cause the great fin
ancial depression that Is now being
felt.
Union men are requested to refrain
from taking any notice Of these insults
to home merchants in buying goods
when they can procure the union label
on the articles they need.
Their attention is called to the fact
that one of our most prominent n1er-
chants is now advertising union made
clothing in spite OF the anti-union ele-
ment
The great need Of patronizing home
industries is empha sized by the retir-
ing from business Of our largest grocer
Uf he had received but a portion Of
the trade that goes to adjacent cities
he would now be conducting flour
ishing business). The same can be
said of two large gents furnishers, a
shoe store, an art store and several
other business enterprises which are
leaving the city.
Workingmen are practically request
ed to remain in the city and others are
invited to locate here when business
picks up. There are hundreds of emp
'ty houses in the city and they will
have no trouble finding accommodate
lions, and they will be guaranteed
protection from any interference by
the Post Alliance with their personal
liberty.
The impression that the Business
Mems Association wished to set fixed
prices and eliminate competition, and
that the object of the Post Alliance
was low wages and long hours Of work,
has become so firmly fixed In the minds
of the people as to render the exist
ence of these bodies detrimental to the
advancement of the best interests Of
the city, and would seem to make the
dissolving Of these organizations nec-
essary and the establishment of a To-
cal association to transact public bust-
ness affairs for the benefit of the city
ut large.
Taking steps for the prosecution Of
stock promoters, who have sw1ndled
the public by selling stock through
Misrepresentation, was also considered
The Merchants Protective League.