The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-16

citizens and taxpayers 10 cohuleett oul own business; and,
 sWhereas, The price of labor is be- ing constantly advanced to pro- hibltive standard by these labor unions. which threatens the growth of our city: and.
 "Whereas. The laborers, through their unions and backed by a cen- tral trades union, are becoming in- tolerable: and,
 "Whereas, This status of affairs has recently been stimulated by a recent labor convention in our city: there fore, be il
 Resolved. That we, the citizens of Muskogee, representing the best in- terests of our city, do hereby bind our selves together and pledge ourselves. severally, that we, and each of us, as citizens of Muskogee. will do all in our power to discriminate against any and all labor union men Tho may hold a union or trades assembly card not for the purpose of injuring these men personally but to check this con- temptible fanaticism of trades union ism; and be it further
 Resolved That we take steps to ln- duce good. sober and industrious me chanics to come to our city. union or non-union. who will pledge thern selves nDI lp lOlu lllt halipI bA AAeNG %t@'fa'Aii bly, of this city, and that we pledge to such men a preference at all times: also that we invite such men Ito Join our alliance.
 (Sgned) ''C. N. HASkfsIl4
 In case MT. Haskell should claim that he did not introduce any such resolution here is q photographic fac simile of 1t; and in case he should say there was no such secret chizens' alliance here are the minutes of it's meetings.
 We learn from these minutes that the members of this alliance agreed on their honor Ito keep secret forever all that may be said or done by the alliance. and the identity of it's mem bers. We learn, too. that MT. Haskell was an officer of the alliance; that he was chosen temporary chairman of the first meeting and called the second meeting to order.
 "In pursuance of a call circulated and generally signed by the business men of Muskogee for meeting to con sider the advlsability of orga mzng the business interests of the city for pro lection against all forms of combna- tion inimical to the advancement of the city and the free conduct of each en- terprise by it's proprietor, number
  the Commercial club rooms Friday night, April 70.
 "On motion of P. B. Hopkins, C. N. Haskell was elected temporary chair man and Burt R. Greer temporary sec retary.
 ."rhe advisability of organizing city alliance occupied the attention or the meeting by free exchange or opinions of those present.
 'R. E. Arnum secretary of the Glty alliance of Houston. Tex, was pres ent. and. upon invitat1on, explained the objects of the city alliance as 1t existed in other cities and the plans of it's oreanization On motion of R. l.. Owen 1t was decided to organize asl alliance along the lines of other or ganizations throughout. the country. The chairman was authorized to ap- noint a committee of five on consti- tution and bylaws. The following gentlemen were appointed: R. L. Owen, J. C. Welch, C. w. Turner, r. NJ. Ford and Major Patterson
 ''The committee retired at once for the consideration of it's work. The re- nort of the committee was adopted as read. except in so far as it related to application for membership. That clause was amended by MT. Hopkins to read as follows:
 !" I hereby make application Tor membership in the Citizens alliance Of Muskogee, l. T., and affirm that L have read and understood the declares ton of the principles, constitution and bylaws of said alliance; that am not a member of any organization whose principles are opposed to the objects and purposes of said alliance.
 This amendment was adopted as part of the constitution
 "The following form of petitions for membership was adopted;
 "I hereby make application for membership in Citizens alliance of Muskogee. l. T.. and affirm that have read and understand the declara- tion of principles. constitution and by laws of said alliance. and that l. am not a member of any organization whose principles and purposes are op- posed to the objects and purposes of said alliance.
 T am over IS years of age, and occupation--
 I agree to abide by the consti- tuition and bylaws of this or any cit izens' alliance with which I may here after become connected, and agree on my honor to keep secret forever all that may be said or done by the all lianee or the identity of it's members. Fee, $1.
 have no comment to make on these documents, either.
 Twill only say that I have no objections to employers organizations that are open and honest. This is an age of organization. and we must all admit that workingmen have a right to organize and employers have a right to organize.
 have however, an objection to these so-called alliances that meet in secret in dark room under bed. l believe that men who want their meetings secret and their acts secret and their membership secret have a wholesome fear of opinion or of the police.
 Now, my friends. Mir. Bryan, that unselfsh friend of the worklngman, has lately made MT. Haskell, that other unquestioned friend of the working man, national treasurer of the demo- cratic campaign fund.
 Mir Gompers urges you to send in your dollars to this fund
 I am not leader of labor l am only q humble follower in the ranks.
 Don't let me prevent you from send ing your dollars if you want to. I have never asked the workingmen to do anything they didn't want to do or not to do anything that they did want to do.
 Just remember, however that some part of the fund you are asked to build up with your hard-earned dol lars may be used ito check what MT. Haskell calls in so friendly way. 'this contemptible fanaticism of trades unionism.'