The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-09-09
Letters From The People,

New Orleans, La, Sept I, 1920.
To the Public:
do not care to become involved in
any controversy, and neither do | seek
publicity. But a sense of duty com
pels me to present few facts so that
wrong may be righted. None are
so ignorant as those who will not
learn" But in learning, we should be
careful to learn the truth" There
fore. | make the following state
ments:
Although | have not seen any. |
have heard of ~ circular which was
distributed on Labor Day. Upon this
circular appeared, so | am told. the
name of a gentleman whom | wish to
defend. His name | will not mention;
but feel that after these facts are pre-
scented the Algiers public will know of
whom | speak.
At the time of the Southern Pacific
strike this gentleman worked at a
trade which required the service of a
foreman and himself This gentleman
went out on the strike as a syInpa-
thizer, as there was no union of the
workers of his trade. After three
months of idleness he was advised by
friends to return to his position, as
he could not expect the unions to fight
for his position if the strike should be
won. and if the Southern Pacific Com
pany should refuse TO reinstate him.
Upon this advice, he returned to his
own position, not to a position which
had been left by a union striker His
advisors were strikers, men who were
fighting hard, well and hopefully for
their cause. Do you think these men
would advise a man to "scab"? These
men were AND STILL ARE his
friends. DO you think a friend would
| advise a friend to "scab"?
This gentleman of whom | speak is
man to the backbone. He is typical
| of the young. clean manhood of Amer
| ict He does and can justly walk
| through the streets of our town with
an erect body, clear eye and steady
! step. Have you ever seen HIM lying
drunk in the cutters, or thrown out
of a saloon? Thank God, No!
Every day of his life has been use
fully spent. He has forged ahead. al
ways doing an honest days work for
an honest days pay-realizing that he
must show some result for his effort
! Ask those of whom and under whom
he has worked, how he worked. Not
one will or can tell you that he had
to depend on a union card to hold his
| position, as some others have done.
He does not consider unionism a
cloak for bad workmanship.
| | hold a union card, but / realize
that there is a limit to the power of
the union. | am against the present
administration. for l do not believe in
one man holding office for such a
length of time.
The gentleman of whom / speak is
Behrman man. Is that the reason
that his and few other names were
picked for this circular?
| remember we'll the strike. Where
are the names of the Algiers men
who did not see their families for
days? The men who were locked UP
in and fed by the company? The men
who went back to work before the
strike was over? The men who &C
'epted other mems positions? Is il
because they formed a union and
marched with real union men tina,
their names are not mentioned?
This gentleman's friends know
what type of man of whom / speak
His friends are the finest and clean
est men of our town-not the drunk
ards and gamblers.
have prayed for mercy. rather jus
tice, for others as we'll rs myself from
the Almighty. but for those who are
responsible for this. invoke nothing
but justice.
He that steals my purse steals trash
But he that robs me of my good name
Steals that which enriches him moi
And makes me poor indeed"
apologies for mistakes in this quo
tation)