The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-08-26
Voa Popu1;

In defense of labor organizations
against the attack published in the
city council and business men OF Mari
anna:
/ wish to say that we, organized la
Dor. do not expect anything better OF
business men and bankers who have
profiteered during the war and grown
rich on the money made BY the labor
ing man. 1t is easy to SEQ that you
have viewed this matter from only one
point, your own. and have given 1t
very little thought only as regards your
own selfish welfare.
Why have you not drawn up resolu-
tons against the capitalistic class for
running whole country and BULLDOG
ing congress? 1t is q well recognized
fact that capital has ruled this country
always and labor has had no voice in
il at all. Labor has no selfish unjust
plans. but is only striving to do It's
best to make conditions such that the
high cost of living. imposed upon Il
by business men and others OF his ffx,
from completely engulfing him. Labor
has never asked more than il justly
due, a fair living wage.
Did profiteers respect the condition
of the country at war so much that
they refused to proflteer? You placed
such an exf1orbitant price on life's ne
cessities that made 1t impossible for
the laboring man to live on his meagre
salary. You and others OF your class
forced, them to demand . greater
wage.
Yes, the flower OF Americas young
manhood made q great. glorious sacfi-
flee for their country; and organized
labor backed them ~ the limit. Did
you sacrifice one thing for them? OF
your bounty you eave small portion
while the laboring man denied himself
necessities that Americas boys might
be well fed and clothed. They respond
ed to the call OF the Red Cross, SAL
walton army and Y. NJ. c. A. that the
boys have the proper recreation Of
mind and body. They answered with
open pockets every call for government
loans, every call for the sick, suffering
ana needy. All this they did without
cere than the business men, who took
advantage OF everything as an excuse
for q constant increase in the cost Of
his merchandise. Labor worked day
and night. I'm all Industries. to make up
the shortage Of mechanics who were
called to the colors- Their loyalty was
more sincere because Ii meant self
denial
The shoe IL pinching you because
the Iaboring man. In addition to de-
handing wage fncrease. = demand
ing an Investigation Of your profiteer-
ing. 1t is true that the 1aboring man
is demanding better wage than ever
before. but where wages have a1vanced|
about twenty five per cent. thd cost Of
living has more than doubted. You
should have said that the demands Of
organized labor are becoming = menace
to the capitalfstic class rather than
to the vast majority OF peop1e. Tho.
awakening Of the laboring people 70
their rights is causing dfocontent
among the business and capitalists
class, who resent any interferedce with
their profifeering- We agree that the
time has come when our government
and lawmakers should have 5000 SYM
pathy. for they have been dtcfoted 70
by capital long enough
It is absurd for you TO ny thaf the
high cost Of living was ca11Ged BY In
creases I'm wages. Tor every one knOwD.
that the high cost o. living WnD here
before any increases u WnoeG Were
given We. organized labor 11Docte0
your class to be opposed - - ~k1un1
Plan or any other plan 1o1 1V~n1nr
railroads ana public utilit<@r W1q<1
labor + given voice a - n1o<te6,
ana NO know that = MILLS - GeC
1Jfatie e3onp 70 1c9en< r.