The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-09-08
THE RAPE OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Ar the outset of the strike the workers nau 'ie
s,ypnathv of large numbers of people, Tor the gen
orai nnbhc in this State is always on the side OF
fair treatment of workers by employers-puG "ie VIVA
sympathy that was developed was dsSlpateu VII
the first operations by the strike leaders,
moro nor less than riotouS MODS, bent on lnCniua
ton of reckless and irresponsible kino. WHen tHe
Shelby organization approached Kings Nlouh'"lis
cotton mill which had been locked for protection OF
the workers inside the whooping, shouting crown
broke into the mill, cut off the power, smut ,eoNn
the machinery and drove the men and women from
work. That was Just one example OF tne pls.n r,
adopted by the strike leaders to enforce them VIII
against that of the majority. incident OF that Knu
put the people to thinking Here, IN our very
midst we had an example OF torclOle lnteIerehGe
with the rights of the workers to employment III
similar manner this riotous mob, going by the po-
lite name of the Flying squadron, mace VISTA
ton to mills in all parts of the state ana 10fce1
workers to vacate their looms and splndles, Win
these occurrences, we might repeat, the StrlkeFS
lost a great deal of sympathy that had been &C
corded them previous to the demonstrations IN pre-
venting people from engaging IN honest Occupation
As might have been anticipated performances OF
the kind invited disorders and these have developed
in startling frequency. No body of workers can
sit idly by and see another body OF selfTe4ecteG
idle workers force them into the same state OF
idleneSs The workers who remained at the mills
had the right of protection from this violent form
of interference and this protection should have
been in evidence with the first exploitation by the
squadron 1t is the duty OF the State 70 guarantee
:
ton freedom and liberty to pursue that course 1t
was evident at the outbreak of the strike that the
majority of employees in the textile mills were
satisfied with working conditions with hours of Ia
Dor and scale of wages, and it was equally evident
to the strike leaders that the strike failure
unless by force, the workers could be driven from
the mills, for only by force could this be accom-
plished Therefore, the squadron system of imtimi-
dation was adopted and every human right was
trampfed under foot.
These are amazing performances to be staged
in any American community. 1T is even setting an
example for the much-discussed and cussed Russia,
and they are performances that would not have
been countenanced for moment In Russia, The,
developed situation is challenge to the Federal
and State governments which are charged with the
duty to see to it that every man and woman want
ing to stay in honest occupation shall be protected
in that desire and that this protection should ex-
tend to guarantee of pursuing that occupation un-
molested and in peace The operations of these
riotous mobs invite prompt suppression of exercise
of force, unless the rights of these people to con-
tinue their mill work is recognized and granted.
The duty of the hour is plainly laid at the door of
both the Federal and State governments, and, in
view Of developments the time for action is at
hand-Charlotte Observer.