The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-05-19
WORKING FOR
PUBLIC WELFARE
Union of Citizens Organized Il
New York for Protection
Against Outlaw
Strikes

!
! American communities from possible
fuel or food famines during strikes is
now underway by ten members Of the
New York State Chamber Of Com
nerce recently appointed by the pre-
sident of the organization as Com
mittec on Public Welfare"
| Revolutionary labor upheavals and
tsrikes designated as OUTLAW walk
cats by union officials and the en-
ploy7nent of volunteer Americans IN
keeping the channels OF cormunlca-
ton and transportation open are the
objects. it is said, OF the Chambers
present inquiry The Chamber for
several weeks has been listing ard
classifying volunteers who, with no
antagonism toward unions or partisan
interest in labor quarreis. obligate
themselves TO operate motor trucks or
do any other work necessary to Keep
the nations commercial arteries open
in times of stress. To prevent the
tying up and throttling of-whole COM
munities.' the committee has received
hundreds Of responses to blank Ques-
tionnaircs specifying the ability and
equipment Of the various volunteers.
Their occupation. home addresses and
telephone numbers together with 9TH
er similar data are in possession OF
the committee which, in time of crisis.
may be utilized.
The Chamber at q recent meeting
authorizing the appointment OF the
committee by President Alfred Z.
OIarling. passed resolutions in which
it said that civilization is now men
aced by false and distorted and poll
tical ideas and the public welfare de-
nlapds that the men and women Of
the nation, who hold to high ideals Of
personal and political conduct. who
believe in sound economic principles
and in constitutional government,
shall undertake more resolutely to
fulfill their civic duties" The reso-
lutions further declared that the
structure OF government and society
as whole" was imperi,led by the in
terruption of the normal channels of
communication and public service
Que to IAN irresponsible minority Of
The population Of the United States
1t further stated that the duties OF
the committee on public welfare
should be to draw UP "a plan of organ
ization and cooperation whereby the
public may by volunteer service. aid
in maintaining the uninterrupted use
of public utilities and assist the duly
constituted authorities in preserving
law and order
Many interesting letters accompan-
led the applications OF volunteers. A
doctor. who formerly was a telegraph
operator. offered his services in any
capacity for. the maintenance OF So
cial equilibrium asains: the rebelli-
oas misicd small minority" He. said
that the movement deserved the sup
port Of all right: minded citizens who
are the backbone of the country
A Russian refugee, a major general
in the former Russian army, who has
suffered the loss of everything pos
sessed through the Bolsheviki'' said
he felt in duty bound to offer his SER
vices. He wrote: II am perfectly
familiar with the beginning Of the
Bolsheviki. a movement in Russia,
which started, as you know, with
strikes. uprisings and the curtailment
Of food. know thoroughly the Boil
sheyists of other countries as we'll as
Russia and their methods and, since
ann the guest Of America and every
body has bec'' 81 very kind to me. !
wish to do All my power to help
America" f.
a man. a consulting engineer. 61
yeass old. in fair health and vlgor,
wrote: 81 am fully in sympathy With
your, apparent theory that the way
to combat outlaw or even inlaw' lab
or constructions to public activities is
to develop a strong and widespread
sentiment among the masses of right
minded citizens against such labor
disturbances. Also that the best VA!
to develop this sentiment among tre
right thinking people is to. permii
the motto take part in combating law
lessness and to aid. in the carrying on
OF public activities which may be. in
interrupted by labor disturbances.
A lawyer wrote enrolling his name
.as a member Of your organizatlon
which has for its purpose the preser-
vation OF the national life. No other
country" he added; gives to its citi-
zens and others so large an amount
Of freedom and privilege as does Am
! er;ca. yet many Of those within our
/; borders fail to appreciate that With
| liberty also comes responsibility to-
ward others. 1t is high time that the
| true American citizen awakens to tn
conditions that threaten and rallies 10
+! the support Of law and order
The committee on Public Welfare
is expected to make a report Of its
| Investigations and progress in the near
! future.
Box Party