,
,
.
" 1
I Result " " of 8 0 v cot t . . r-1
Trio only place In the United ! States
that lInrallteH I'nwlloll1'1'011I strikes ,
lockouts and labor warfare 18 ! Battle
Creek , Aiirlt. I
'I'ho story The work Iloollle , merchants -
chants , lawyers , doctors tutu other citizens -
zonH became ! aroused 11lId Inlllgllunt.ut
the efforts > of the labor unions throughout -
out the country to destroy the hUHI-
neAR of OliO of our hugest h1l1ustrlt's-
the l'ostulII Cereal Co. , Lt'lI I , 111111 : ut the
open throats In the official \ union lIa-
pens that the entire power of the Na-
tlollal 111111 State Felleratloll 1 ! ! of Labor !
was bolll ; brought to hour to "II1I11IHh"
the industries of Battle Creole , and
I
llIlltkIlJal'l Ito PostUIII Co.
'I'hlf ! sprung ; from lie refusal or C.
, v. Post to obey the "onlol's" of the
unions to take the PostUIII allvertlslllg
away from vat ' Ious papers that refused
to purchase labor of the labor trust-
the 1I1110m ;
1111' lout was ordered to jlln the
unions III their conspiracy ! to "ruin"
1\1111 " ) lI1t out of husillmm" these IlIIh-
lIhers ! who had worked faithfully for
hllll for years and helped 1111111lP hIs
husllleslJ. They hall 110110 110 wrong ,
but hall found It inconvenient \1111
agalnHt their best judgment to buy
labor of the lahol' tnlHl. It seems a
rule of the ( unions to conspire to ruin
all'OIlO who does 1I0t. purchase ] from
thom UpOIl their own tel'll1S
An IlIlmmlwr oi , lJaJlermal\Cr who
foiled to sell IlIk or paper would have
tIC Ramo reason to order Post to help
ruin these )1l1hllshel's ) So the lied-
11Ier In the street might stone you If
you refused to buy his apples ; the
eahmlln to ruff over yon if yott refused
to ride with him ; the grocer order the
mllnllfllctlll'el' to discharge certain
Joollo ] ) because they dill not patronize
him ] , and HO on to the 1'1c1lC'lIlo1lB and
villainous limit of all this boycott
nonsense , In trying to force people ] to
buy what they 110 not wanl.
lC It man has labor to sell et ! him
sell it at the best price ] he can get just
as ho would ( sell wheat , hilt ho has no
right to even Intimate that he will ou-
Htl'lIct Cite business 01' attempt Its ruin
because the owner will not purchase
of ] hIm
'I'heIn Ions have hecomc so tyrnn'
nOlls 111111 arrogant with their dOSllot-
Imn that It comlllon citizen who has
some title to 1'111111'0 anll InloccnlIr
thinks ho has a rIght to put ] a little
paint on his own house finds ho must
halo that paint taken off and put ) on
agnln hr "the ullion" 01' all sorts or
dire things halllJOn to him , his employer -
Iloyol' ! IR ordered to discharge him his
grocer Is boycotted If lie furnishes
him supplies ) ) , his family followed and
Inl'lIllell : soul his life made mom nits-
\'Hhlo \ than that of a black ! slave be'
fore the wa 1' , If I he drives a trail to
repair the house or barn the cal'pcn-
tel's' "lIlIlon" hOlllllls him. lie lakes a
Illpo wrench to stop a leaking pipe )
811(1 I 1)i ' nvt'ilt . .1ulllngf.to his property
and the pll1mhel's' "lIlIlon" does things
to hIm lie cannot put a little mortar
to a loose brick on his chlmno or
thc bricklayers' , llastel'el's' ) 01' i 'od
carriers "lInion" Is up In arms , and If
he carelessly cats a loaf of broad lint
has no "union" label on It the halters
"union" pl'oceells to malco life miser
able for him
So the white slave In tied hand and
foot , unable to lift a hand to better
hll11S0 ] 01' 110 the needful things , with ,
out first ohtalnlng permission from
semo haughty , ignorant and abusive
tyrant of some labor 11111011.
It would all seem rather like a comic
opera If It dill not rob people of their
freedom : that hind of wOI'I will not
110 permitted long In Amerca ]
Some smoolh managers have huill
\1)1 ) tire l labor trllst in lie last fey
years , to bring lhemsl'l\'es money and
pow0t ] ' , allll hr llHlIlllgint worlwwn
have succeeded ! in lIlallng'll )1oslbh )
for them 10 lay down lie law In soil o
cities and force wornnen ) and citizen !
to "obey" implicitly , stripping ) theIr
right and left or their liberties.
.
. .
'rhey have used boycotting , 1IIc1t't-
lug , assaults ! , dynamltJllg of )1ropcrty )
and ! mllrder to enforce their orders and
rule the )1oople ) They have Bono far
enough to order the President to remove -
move certain cItizens from ofI\co \ because -
cause the "lIulow : weron't Illeasell.
Thllt means they propose t.o make
the law of the unions replace the law
of this govel'llmeut and the union
leaders : dominate even the chief Exec-
IIl1\'e.
This Is a government of and for the
people and 110 organhmtlOn 01' trust
RhaH displace It. But the unions try
It every now and then , led by dos)1or- )
ate men aB shown III their defIance or
law lnd SIl)1IOI't : ) ] of 1Ilwhl'eaJers ; :
'I'ho "lIlIlon" record of assaults ,
crippling ) of men and even women anti
child rOil , destruction of property ] and
murdel' of American citizens during
the past two years Is perhaps ten
tlmos the volume of crime and abuse
perpetrated ) ) uY slave owners during
any two years previous to the civil
Will' We are In a horrible period ] of
lethargy , which permits ] its to stand
Idly by while our American citizens
are abased ( , crippled ) ) and ! murdered in
dozens and hundreds 1Jr an organization -
tlon 01' trust , having for Its purpose ,
thrusting what It has to sell ( labor )
upon ] us whethCl' 01' no
Suppose ) an American In a foreign
city should he chased by a mob , caught
and beaten unconscious , then his
mOllth pried open ) and carbolic acid
poured down his throat , then his ribs
kicked In und his face well stamped )
with iron nailed shoes , murdered be-
calase he tried to earn hrcall for his
children By the Eternal , sir , 1\,0 \ fleet
or American men of war would nssenl-
hlo there , clear for action and blow
something off the face of the earth ,
If reparation ] were not made for the
hlooll of one of our cltl ens ,
And what answer 110 we make to the
Ullleals ] of the hundreds or widows
null orphans ) of those , Americans mlll'-
tiered uy labor unions' ! flow do we
try to protect the thousands of intelligent -
gent citizens who , with reason , prefer )
not to join any labor union and UO
subject to the tyranny of the heavily
lclll rulers of the labor trusts' !
Upon a HI'IlI refusal uy11' , Post to
join this criminal conspiracy ] a general -
oral boycott was ordered on Gralo- ]
Nuts and Postum all over the com-
try , which set the good red blood ( or
our ancestors In motion , bringing
forth the reply that has now passed
Into history : "We refuse to join any
conspiracy ) of organized [ labor to ruin
puhllshers , notwill we discharge
ally of our \ trusted omilloy upon the
orders of ally labor union If they
can make their boycott effective and
slnl our ship , we will go down with
the calatin ( on the bridge and 'n com-
mnnd , "
'I'hls set the wrIters In labor papers ) )
eazy ( and ( hey redoubled their abuse.
Plnal1y one or their official organs
clone out with n large double 'colu111n
In denuncIation of Battle Creek ) , call-
Ing It "a running sore on the face of
Michigan , " because It would not become -
come "organized" and pay ) In dues to
their labor leaders. 'l'he usual coarse ,
- villainous epithets common to labor
union writers were indulged In
The reslllt was to weld public sentiment
timent In Battle Creels for lrotectlon. )
A citizens' association was started ,
and mass meetings held Good citi-
zens who happened ) to he mcmbers of
local unions In some cases quit the
unions entirely for there Is small need
of thom there
t The working people of Battle Creek
are of the highest order of AmerIcan
t mechanics 'I'ho majority are not
union members , for practically all of
1 the manufacturers have for years declined -
clln11 to employ union mon because
of disturbances about cloven ] years :
ago , and the unIon men now In the
city are among the best citizens
No city In the state of Michigan
pays as high average wages as Battle
. . .
-
Creek , no cIty or Its sire Is as pros-
perous , and no city has so large a pro-
pOl'tlon of the best grade of mechanIcs
who own their own homes
So the wont people massed together
with the other citizens In the organi-
zation of the CItizens' Ass'n , with the
following preamble nn(1 constitution :
Whereas , from 18n1 to 18H ! the
strikes Instigated hy labor unions in
Battle Creelc reslllted In the destruction -
Lion of property and loss of large
slims of money In wages that wOllld
have been expended here ; 1U1Il ,
'Vherea ! , 'I'heso acts caused serious
damage to the city and In a marked
way delayed Its progress at that title ;
und ,
Whereas , Since the year 18.1 ! ) the
citizens have been enabled , by public )
sentiment , to IlI'event the recurrence
of stl'lI\Cs and lauol' union disturb-
unces which have been prevalent else-
where ; and , i
Whereas , The employers of this city I
have steadfastly refused to place the i
management of their business under I
the control of labor unions , nut have i
maintained the highest stiimidard of Ii I i
wages paid under like conditions any-
where in the United Studs , and here-
hy unanimously declaroll their Intent
to continue such policy ; and the em-
1)1eyeS of this city , a large percentage
of whom own homes ] and have families -
lies reared and educated under conditions - .
tlons of Ieaco ] and the well-oarned
prosperity ) of steady employment ] , have i
steadfastly maintained their right as
free American citizens to work without -
out the dictation and tyranny of labor
union leaders , the hitter experience of
the past offering sufficient reason for
a determined stand for freedom ; and ,
Whereas , The attitude of the citi-
zens on this subject has been the
means of preserving ] peaceful conditions .
tlons and continuous prosperity , In
nll\r1ccd contrast to the conditions exIsting -
Isting In other cities suffering from
the dictation of trades unionism ; it is
therefore
Resolved , That the continuance of
peace and prosperity In Battle Creek
can bo lI1alntal11ell , and the destructive !
work of outside Interference avoided
under the combined effort and action
of all our people , by the formation of
a n Citlzells' ASRoclatioll.
_ _ _ nnn _
CONSTI'l'U'I'ION I [
Article l.-Name '
Article 2.-0bjects
First-To insure , so far as possible ,
a permanent condItion of peace , pros-
pel'ltr and steady employment to time
people ( or Battle Creek.
Second-To tmergotlcal1y assist In
maintaining law and order at all times
stud under all conditions
'l'hll'd-To protect Its members In
their rights to tnanngo their property
and to dlsllose of their labor In a legal ] ,
lawful lllanner without restraint or interference -
terference
Fourth-To Insure and permanently
maintain fair , just treatment , one with
another , in all the relations of lifo
Fifth-To preserve the existing
right of any capable person to obtain
eIUplormont anll sell his labor , without
being obliged to join any particular
church , secret society , labor union or
any other organization , and to support
all such persons In their efforts to resist -
slst compulsory methods on the part
of any organized body whatsoevCl' ,
Sixth-'ro ' promote among employers -
ers 11 spirit ] or fairness , frIendship and
desire for the best Interests of their
employes , anll to Il1'Onloto among worlc-
men the spirit of industry , thrift , faithfulness -
fulness to their employers and good
clt Izenshl p ,
Sevonth-To so amalgamate the
public sentiment of all of the best
citizens of Battle Creek , that a gunr-
nntp.p pan 110 given to the world of Il
conthll1anco- peaceful conditions ,
and that under such guarantee and
protection manufacturers and capital-
.
,
, I
Ists can be Induced to locate their bust- i
In Battle Creek . . -
ness enterprises . . . . . , 1
1'hen follows articles relating to .1'
membership , officers , duties , etc. , etc. ,
etc
etc.Tills
Tills constitution has been sIgned
IIv the great majority of representative .
tlve citizens , Including our worlcpeo-
IIle
pie.A !
A number of manufacturers from
other cities , where they have been I
suffering all sorts oC indignities , inconvenience - I
convenience and losses from the gen-
oral hell or labor union strikes , picketing - I
ellng , assaults and other interfer-
. - . . . . . . . . ,
once , proposed to move , providing
they could lie guaranteed protection
j
The subject grew In importance un- \
tit it has reached a place where absolute -
lute protection can be guaranteed by
the citizens of Battle Creek on the . t
. . -
following broad and evenly balanced - .
terms wnich guarantees to the work-
man and to the manufacturer fair.
ness , justice , steady work and regularity -
lty of output
'rho newcomlng manufacturer
agrees to maintain the standard rate -
of wage paid elsewhere for life ! servI
Ice , under similar conditions , the rate
to bo deterlJllned from time to time
from well authenticated reports from
compotlng-cltlos The tabulated wage
reports Issued by the Government . ,
Department of Commerce and Labor '
can also be used to show the standard I
rate , and It Is expected later on that
this government bureau will furnish
weekly reports of the labor market
from different centers , so that the
workman when he Is ready to sell his
labor and the employer when he rn
ready to buy , may each have reliable . }
Information ns to the market or ruling
] Irlce , '
The newcomlng manufacturer also
agrees to maintain the sanitary and , .
hygienic conditions provided for by
the state laws and to refrain from any
lockouts to reduce wages below the
standard , reserving to himself the
right to discharge any employo for
cause
The CItizens' Association on Its part
agrees to furnish , In such numbers as
it is possible to obtain , first-class
workmen who will contract to sell
their labor at the standard price for
such period as may bo fixed upon ,
agreeing not to strike , picket , assault
. . , . . d _ _ ' . _ -.II
otter workmen , destroy properlY , or
do any of the criminal acts common
to labor unionism Each workman reserving -
serving to himself the right to quit
work for cause , and the CItizens' Association -
sociation further pledges Its mem-
(
hers to use Its associated power to
enforce the contracts between em-
plo 'or and emplo , and to act on
masse to uphold the law at aU times
The new industries locating in Bat-
tle Creole will not start under any sort
of labor union domination whatso-
ever , hut wlll make individual contracts -
tracts with each employo , those con-
tracts being fair and equitable und
guaranteed on both sides
Thus from the abuses of labor
unions and their insane efforts to ruin
everyone who does not "ouoy" has -
evolved thIs plan which replaces the
old conditions of injustice , lockouts ,
strikes , violence , loss of money and
property , and general Industrial war-
fare , and inaugurates an era of perfect
balance and fairness between em'I }
ployer and omployo , a steady contlnuJl
anco of Industry and consequent pros-
perity The entire community pledged Y
by public sentiment and private act to
restore to each man his ancient rIght
to "peace , freedom and the pursuit at
happiness. "
Other cities wilt be driven to protect
their worltlCOIle ] , merchants and citi-
zens as well ns their industries from
tim blight of strikes , violence and the
losses brought on hr labor unionism
rl1n amuck , by adopting the "Battlo
Creek plan , " hut this city offers industrial -
dustrial peace now , with cheap coal
and good water , first.class railroad { 1
( Continued on next page )
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