Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-09-01

When small clique of men put up
scheme to harness the clergy of
America and induce the ministers to,
in turn hitch up" the members of the
churches, we should all take notice.
They couldn't harness the preachers
in a bad cause except by deceiying
them.
Ministers of the gospel are essen
TALLY and fundamentally honest but,
like all men who work for the public
good, they are at times mislead by
false statements.
Trust them when they have exact
truth to speak from.
Now for the story which should IN
terest every one for we are all either
receivers of wages or we pay to wage
earners and the freedom of each In
dividual is at issue.
In various papers the following
statement has been printed. Read 1t
carefully at least twice.
Fnterest in Labor Sunday.
Labor Sunday-the Sunday preced-
fng Labor day-will be observed gen
orally this year and In future years
throughout the United States. This
because of the American Federation
of Labor declaration for the observ-
ance of that day. The numerous let
ters recently received at American
Federation of Labor headquarters
from ministers is an assurance that
interest in the idea Of giving special
attention to the cause of labor from
the pulpit one day in the twelve
months is widespread. Our readers
are urged to try to bring about an un-
derstanding in their respective dis
tricts with representatives Of the
church so that ministers will make
addresses that may attract trade union
lists to the churches in large numbers
for the day. Ministers should say what
they think on the occasion In order
that their trade union hearers may
put the right estimate as to where the
church stands on the question of the
organization of labor The more the
subject is discussed the better will it
be for labor Union ethics are sound
-Amertcan FederationiSt."
Observe that Labor Union" men
"are urged" to induce ministers to
make addresses that will attract trade
unionists to the churches "for the
day." Ministers should say" etc,
and winds up with "Union ethics are
sound" observe the hidden threat.
This is clipped from the American
Federdtionist the organ of Sam Com
pers, ct al.
This clipping has been sent to pa
pers throughout the country and the
Typographical Union men in the news
paDer offices instructed to urge" that
1t be printed.
That is one of the ways of the ma
chine"
It looks harmless so the papers print
It.
But! Let's lift the cover and look
under.
The hidden motive is as dangerous
to the peace and liberty of the citl-
zens as a coiled ratt1esnake in the
grass.
Organization by Eorkmen to peace
fully and successfully present their
side is necessary and most commend
able
There are such organizations now
rapidly winning their way to public
confidence without strikes. dynamite
or killing fellow workmen.
CSome facts on this matter little
further along in this article.)
W. see here a demand on the min
listers of God, that they endorse and
help build up the strfke-producing.
bovcotting and violent American Fed
Grafton of Labor.
Think of the man Of God who
teaches brotherly love being covertly
ordered to praise and help get new
members for an organization with
record for violence. crime and murder
done BY It's members the like of which
the world has never seen
Think of the thousands of women
made widows and the increasing thou
sands of children left fatherless by
the pistol, club, dynamite and boot
heel of members of this Labor Trust.
ANY one who recalls the countless
murders done in the multitude OF
strikes in the past few years viii
agree this is no exaggeration.
Take Just one as an illustration:
There were some thirty men muir
dered and over 5000 bruised and
manned In the Chicago teamsters
strike.