The Boycott Injustice

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 8, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 14.

The Boycott Injustice.

More and more frequently is the labor element resorting to the boycott to enforce its demands or to punish any apparent discrimination against itself. Men who have paid their municipal licenses for the purpose of doing business, and by that act are entitled to the protection of the municipality, are set upon by the boycott, their business held up as unfair, and at times virtually ruined, and all without any recourse whatever. Recently, at Indianapolis, Indiana, the miners' union requested a merchant whom they patronized to arbitrate their differences with their employers. He accepted the task. His decision, after a careful investigation of the case, was against the union. That union at once declared his award unfair, and declared a fine of $5 upon any member of the union who should patronize his store. They posted pickets in front of the store, warning the people not to trade with this man who had consented to arbitrate their cause, and thus drove away his trade. The boycott, under any circumstances, is unfair and essentially unchristian, and the wickedness of the principle that actuates, it was never better illustrated than in the case cited.