The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-01-15
ON THE
CAPITALS CUFF
Federated Press)
BY HENRY ION

|
, seems, are just passing cloud al
far as groups such as the Associated
Farmers of California and its affiliatef
are concerned
The Associated Farmers of Orange
Country, which is just north of Los
Angeles has launched a drive among
the merchants of the county seeking
support for the Citizens Association OF
Orange county.
Il In a letter dated November 6, 1910
to Orange county merchants. the AS.
ISOLATED Farmers declared that this
letter comes to you from 1000 farm
ers of Orange county"
1t goes on to inform the merchants
that they are facing very grave ques-
ton, namely, "Shall | agree to closed
shop?"
Our problems are your problems,
the Associated Farmers tells them,
and while they, Of course, believe in
fair wages and whatnot they "abhor
labor unrest caused by vicious, un-
American methods"
Enclosed with the appeal of the AS
ISOLATED Farmers is a badly mimeo-
graphed document entitled Benefits
Received by Members of the Citizens
Association of Orange county"
These benefits are increased patron
age from members of the Citizens AS
ISOLATION and Associated Farmers,
dependable consultant service" on la
Dor relations, real help and advice
on the firing line in dealing with
strikes, picketing, boycotts, hot cargo
practices, disputes, arbitration, and all
other labor problems whenever they
arise or are threatened or antici-
pated."
In addition, if members are placed
on unfair lists or 1--WE do not pa
tronize" lists by unions, bulletin will
be sent to all members and women's
and mems civic and social groups,
churches, and associations with re-
quest that they patronize the member
affected and in every other way give
him aid in his efforts to maintain an
open shop and operate his business
in accordance with our American form
of government in industry and labor
relations"
In other words, if merchant does
MT join the Citizens Association 1t is
quite likely that his customers will go
to the establishments of merchants
On the other hand, If the unions say
member is unfair, the associations
will go to bat against this vicious form
of coercion
Boycotting is one of those things
which is American or un-American de-
pending upon who is boycotted.
The program of the Citizens Asso-
citation, as outlined in an accompany
ing document, includes:
Industrial relations. To deal with
strikes, picketing disputes, and other
labor problems on the firing line; to
determine action to be taken to delay
strikes, picketing and boycotts during
periods Of negotiation, or to avoid
them altogether; to maintain contacts
and to cooperate with law enforce
lil0nL OlliCCio anu " NObuDdl dlbCDlplb
to boycott, hot cargo practices, vio-
lence, etc.; to secure support of the
open shop principle so that employees
may not be compelled to join unions
to hold their jobs; that the work of
employers and employees may not be
boycotted because they do not yield |
to closed shop domination"
The record of the senate civil lib
critics committee, which will shortly
issue its findings on California and the
Associated Farmers, discloses that the
Associated Farmers of Orange county
does not fail to uphold the notorious
standards of anti-unionism for which |
the Associated Farmers Of California
Is known all over the country.
BY "closed shop" 1t means con-
tained an elaborate blacklist It's d. |
-ectors were big businessmen. FL |
nancial support of the organization
came from the corporation farms.
All this was established by the SEN
ate committee despite apparent de-
,truction of records and the unwilling
ness of the groups officials to speak
frankly.
Yet the moment the committees
pack is turned the Associated Farm
,rs energies from its temporary in
activity and proceeds to extend it's
to the merchants Of the
by method very similar
o that which. it accuses unions of
Using.
1t will be interesting to see what
the senate commit
ZEE will produce as remedy for the
Associated Farmers and It's offspring. II