Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-10

n YEW YORK CITY, Nov. 5. - Among
M European institutions which could be
copied with much profit in this coun-
try is the British Middle Glasses Union,
which has recently come to exert a powerful
political influence in England. It's purpose
is to promote the interests of the working
man as the chamber of commerce promotes
those of business.
The need for similar organization over
here is especially evident just now when the
nation is threatened with a railroad strike
entailing widespread distress and chaos. If
it comes to pass, the greatest hardship will
fall not upon the rebllious railroad workers
nor upon the disconnected railroad owners,
but upon the complacent general public,
which permits itself to be made the victim
of industrial Encouragement.
1t is the general public that will be 1ntol-
erably Inconvenience and the general pub
lie that will pay double prices for scarce sup
plies Hence, regardless of where it's SYM
pathy lies, it is up to the generaI public to
protect itself by preventing the strike But
this it is poWerless to do. For in this coun-
try the general public is unorganized and
never lifts it's voice
In England it is and it does. When the
British citizen feels that he is being imposed
upon he does not remain passive and silent.
He sets forth to a Getting of the middle
classes union, where he discusses the matter
with great dignity and then writes to his
M. P:
for you at the last election and helped to give
you your seat i'll parliament. 1t is now time
that you were showing your appreciation. We
who put you where you are expect you to
stand up on the floor of the house like man
and prove that your constituents are unable
to pay increased income taxes, tram rates,
| telephone rates, telegraph rates, postal rates,
education rates, etc. Such increases we con-
slider to be into lerable. Will you kindly give
| the matter your immediate attention? (Sign-
Ia G. nH@IaI oa1 IL 1oc
| es Union.)
Parliament Takes Notice
The M. P.'s eye is caught and held by that
| signature. He is well acquainted with the
middle classel union. He remembers that
out of three hundred candidates put up by
them at the polls at the last election, almost
hundred out. In view of the union s
extreme youth Git is only a little over two
years old) that is record sufficient to make
any M. P. mind his P's and Q's.
The great strength of the union IS It's non
political character. 1t refuses to affiliate it
self with any political party, but throws its
votes to individuals who have pledged to 1t
| their support. At one time it hurls it's whole
| force against organized laEor, and the next
time it is equally ferocious toward organized
capital. In describing the activities of the
union. Lord Askvith, its president, says:
THE union of the middle classes takes no
sides in any industrial quarrel It's members
are free to come to any conclusion they
! choose, but the organization as a body is IN
terested in the welfare of The community as
whole. By ~-elfare we mean proper dis
| trbution of food heat, light, and clothing
When these things are threatened, then the
members act as one to safeguard them
| selves"
AS an illustration of how it works, the
| president :elates how at Sheffield the work
ers in the power house which supplied the
city with light threatened to strike in
sympathy with the miners. NeWs of the
proposed walkout VS. brought to the Shelf
| field branch of the middle classes union a