Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-26
UNION MEN MAKE
HOT REPLY To
GOVERNOR

The Atlanta Federation Of Trades
Thursday issued a formal reply to
Governor Brown, denouncing the
charges contained in his message as
a cruel and clumsy effort TO enlist
the rural voter against the city toiler
Here is the reply in part:
The message Of Governor Brown
to the Legislature yesterday, wherein
he took occasion to malign and con-
denim the labor unions and their mem
bers, was a malicious and unwarrant-
ed attack upon honorable. law abid
ing citizens of the State and deserv-
ing Of as much consideration as any
other class even though they do hap
pen to be working people. He takes
an undue advantage Of those he SIAN
ders and assaults without provocation
by embodying this arraignment in
his message to the Legislature, know
ing that it would be printed by the
press of the State and gain wide
spread publicity, a cheap way Of ad-
vertising.
Called Campaign Talk.
ITO one cOnversant with the real
facts and conditions which were, in
garbled fashion. made the subject of
this utterly demagogic and specious
harangue, this uncalled for and vi
cious attack upon organized labor
only utter contempt could be ex-
cited thereby.
THAT the governor has issued this
message as a campaign document
and attempts to array the country
voter against the town and city
voter is demonstrably true. A more
cruel yet clumsy effort to enlist the
prejudices of the rural voter against
his brother in toll upon the railroad,
factory and workshop has never been
exhibited.
He attempts to make it appear that
unions are exacting a tax from the
farmer which he knew was untrue
when he wrote the statement but
believing that the farmer had no
more sense than to believe this, and
with an effort to appeal to them
through this tax proposition and ar
ray the farmer against the city work
men is vindictive within itself, and
at the same time he hopes to gain
the good will OF the manufacturer
that opposes the unions and secure
contributions to further his political
aspirations, at least it has this ap-
pearance and time will make known
organized labor stands for the up
lift of humanity and its record is an
open book for the inspection of the
public in general
Says Unions Sought Peace.
He proposes that labor go into the
courts to adjust their difficulties and
we ask what Jurisdiction the courts
have over wage disputes and griev-
ances affecting the working condi-
tions. He was fully aware that the
courts could do no such thing and
uses this as a subterfuge to blind
the public. or at least hopes to do so.
He makes no mention at all, in
connection with the strikes he refers
to, that the employers were even in
any way responsible for the conflict
and attempts to place the entire re-
sponsibility on the unions. 1t win be
| remembered that the unions were
anxious to arbitrate these differences
at all times, but the employers re-
fused to accede to this method of adj
justment until public sentiment,
through the third party mentioned by
Governor Brown, forced them to do
so.
ITO say that labor unions are a
trust is in accord with other mis-
statements in the message and we di-
rect attention TO the rulings of the
courts which he requests unions to
appeal to.
SAMUEL H. BRADY.
President, Atlanta Federation of
Trades.
LOUIS p. MARQUARDT,
Member Executive Board, A F. of L
"R. +. ROLLINS.
IS. B. MARKS,
President Georgia Federation of La
Dor"