The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1922-07-22
Local Shop Men Express
Purpose and Intent To
\ Protect Property Rights
= i Keep Down All
Disorder

Rumors and counter-rumors are cur
rent relative to the strike and strik-
ing shopmen, vaguely intimating and
insinuating that the strikers are con-
templating violence to strike-breakers
and to the property of the A. c. l..
Careful investigation of these rumors
stamp them as absolutely unwarrant-
ed and without foundation.
Officials of the shop crafts union
have strongly denounced these ru-
mors and state that their members
are individually and collectively tax
ing every precaution to keep down
and fraiction or uncalled for demon
strati0ns.
The rumor that the shop men are
contemplating tearing down the fence
the company is building around the
shops, is stamped as untrue, and the
statement is made that all property
rights will be strictly respected, that
the shops are the property of the
A. C. l.. and will be respected as
such by all shop craftsmen. The eX-
ecutive board of the shop crafts union
is emphatic in its frank denial of any
such intentions on the part of the
shop men.
1t is represented that strikebreak.
ers employed by the A. c. l.. have
been seen riding to and fro through
the streets of Lakeland in motor
cars tn which shotguns have been
prominently displayed. Haunting an
attitude of antagonism and contempt
toward all the striking shop men. 1t
is further stated that strikebreakers
are charged with shouting insulting
remarks to those men who are on
strike. Such actions are deeply re-
Sented, by those men who are wag
ing a clean and honest fight for their
rights; and it is incumbent upon the
citizens of Lakeland. the city officials
and the police department to take
stringent steps to put a stop to such
uncalled-foI, and un-American prac-
tees.
The executive board further states
that the shopcrafts men are citizens
of Lakeland, most of them hometown
ers. and all law-abiding citizens; that
each and every one of them are now,
as always vitality interested in the ad-
vancement of Lakeland and will do
all in their power for the good of
Lakeland and its citizenship
Not the slightest manner of vio-
lence is sought by the strikers, nor is
any contemplated, states the execu-
tive board but, decent treatment and
respect, as citizens of Lakeland, is
expected. The rights and protection
due every citizen is something that
these shop men are entitled to. and
to- f1NA e 4l. Al.
majority of Lakeland citizenship will
make it a point to see that these
men are treated with such respect
and consideration.
The executive board of the shop
crafts union does not wish to imply
that the police department is in any
manner negligent of it's duty, and
feels certain that the police will do
all in their power to Keep down any
trouble which might result from the
strikebreakers going about armed
and taunting the strikers I'VE have
no complaint to make toward the
police department. the above facts
being stated merely for the purpose
of emphasizing the need for caution
and alert vigilance on the part of
all citizens toward keeping down any
trouble or disturbances" states the
board.
The shopcrafts men feel assured
that the good citizenship of Lakeland
have enough confidence in their mem.
bers to trust' them to do nothing that
will in any way reflect upon the good
me or reputation of themselves OF
of Lakeland.