The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1920-11-29

For the first time since they have
been harrassed by picketing and boz
cotting Hammond department store
proprietors consented to be interviewed
by Times reporters on the labor situa-
tion that has confronted them. Inter
viewers were impressed with the fact
they were busy as could be and their
clerks were busy. The three men in
terviewed IN the several stores, If con-
cerned as to the outcome by no means
manifested Ii and were willing TO dis
cuss anything but labor questions II
was noted in every case that the one
thing which did concern them moro
than anything else was the interrupt
ton of their service TO the public and
their kinship in their help and Gus
toners. That their organizations have
been built up around these problems
and for them was sincerely evidenced
DEPLoREs TREATMENT.
That merchants must be left in con-
troll of their own business without out
side interference was the tenor OF al
interview had with department store
proprietor who declared that.
THE one thing that ! personally re-
gret most in connection with the situ-
alton that has arisen between our
selves and rhe officials of the Clerk 3
Union and the Trades Council, IS the
uncalled for and unjust treatment that
patrons OF the stores are subject to at
the hands of the piclSets outside. Not
a day passes that we don't hear a num-
Der OF complaints from customers who
have been spoken to, intimidated and
even threatened by men and young
women paradlng in front Of our doors,
~ Y1.. zfT7fa
thorou g1h1y aroused against this sort
OF thing and people are wondering how
much longer the stores will put up
with these vicious tactics on the part
or the pickets in their rather unsuc-
cessful effort TO injure orr business.
FIGHT FORCED ON THEM.
Expressions Of Indignation at these
methods come from many fair-mlnded
and right thinking union men and hun
dreds Of union sympathizers who pa
troize US. as well SIS from the general
public and we feel that we owe debt
Of gratitude TO all those who by their
loyal support and patronage OF this
store show where their sympathies are
in this fight that has been forced upon
US Regarding the effect of the boy
colt on our business, you may state
that we are doing q normal business.
While IL Is true that a number OF
union men who from fear OF having
fines imposed upon them by their To-
calls. are not coming to our store now,
this loss has been offset by the addi-
tional and most liberal patronage that
we are getting from our best citizens
in their desire 70 show that they con-
slider our cause just.
"As to the nature Of the controversy.
there is no need of going into details
again. I believe that the general pub
lie has been enlightened through the
articles which I have noticed in your
paper and which reflect the true facts
with reference 70 wages, working con-
ditions. hours, etc.
DEMAND FREEDOM or ACTION.
Il regret indeed that the Hammond
Trades Council has seen mt to line
itself up with these outside agitators
who are trying to force their will up
on us in en- endeavor to dictate how
we shall conduct our business. AS free
American citizens. feel that we must
be left in control of our own affairs
without the malicious Interference on
the part Of agitators who are totally
incompetent to judge the operation
and needs Of a business like ours No
one realizes more than we do our
selves that only by the whole hearted
CO. operation Of our employees. whose
fun confidence we have always enjoy
ed. can the organization that We have
developed. hope to succeed in its aim
IConTInued ON page two.D