The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-09
B0YCOTTS AND STRIKES.
How They Will Be Met by the Build
ers and Manufacturers
Exchange.
MIR. Stedman Deplores the IN
settled Condition Of the La
Dor Question.
Resolutions Adopted Last Night Which
Will Receive Final Action
... Thursday.

ANOnNA 1tStOpl3u bLhnb Nl8uL " asIGbA
Will Receive Final Action
Thursday.
After the disposition of some rontine bust
mesa last night President John Stedman nd
dressed the exchange, about thirty~fve
members being present. lie said: In view
of tho present condition of the labor
question in this city, it would seem that
the time hns arrived when some decided
steps should be taken to settle the question
ms to the respective positions and relations
OF the employers md employees OF this
vicinity. 1t is we'll understood that the
threatened exactions of tho various labor
unions have had the effect Of retarding and
in some instances has caused the entire
which would otherwise have been carried in
to execution. 1t is also we'll known that one
of the principal functions of the a~ssocia-
ton, ms declared in its constitution, is to
take cognizance Of the labor question and
claims to be authorized to represent the
employers or this city, and is In a position
to carry out to the letter any agreement
or any other matters that might
seem worthy of consideration
Early in the year this exchange
notified the various unions that it was fully
organized and prepared TO take up the
questions indicated; that a committee had
been appointed with full powers to act and
inviting them il they SO desired to come
forward and discuss the serious questions
involved to the end that contemplated en-
terprisas might be encouraged, and that
employers might not be handicapped by
any uncertainty as to the labor question
which they might. be called upon to meet
tirely ignored except by the carpenters
union which sent to us a committee that
was unable or unwilling to enter into any
agreement whatever that would be in any
way binding upon their organization.
This refusal to meet this exchange in a
questions which are at present of such
vital Importance to this community, leaves
nc room for doubt that it is the determine
ton of the unions to refuse to COM
NIT themselves to any agreement, but
to remain in a position to take
advantage OF any circumstance
that may arise to gain q temporary and I'M
fair advantage. Now, / submit that the ac-
tions of this exchange have been fair and
honorable in this matter, and in no in
stance marked by anything narrow, selfish,
or dictatorial; that we have, and still do,
recognize all legitimate labor movements.
but We came or will not submit to unjust
or unreasonable dictation by any man or
body of men. The vital question now is,
what henceforth is to be the relations be-
tween the employers and the employees in
this vicinity? Will the unions come for
ward and make such arrangements as will
be mutually satisfactory, thus setting again
in action the wheels of industry and i'm
provements, or will they still pursue the
shottsighted and suicidal policy of obstruc-
ton by which they appear to be at present
governed?
The exigencies of the case demand that
this exchange should know at a very early
day the decision of the unions in this mat
ter, and If they SO elect that they will make
no effort to come to a mutual understand
ing there would seem to be no other alter
native for this exchange but to agree upon
the adoption of some course of action that
will free them from the difficulties under
which they are now laboring, To this end
l shall ask the secretary to read a resolution
covering the position l believe this exchange
should take if 1T is called upon to act on
the defensive, and ask thatits consideration
be postponed to some time in the near fu-
ture in order that those interested may
matter fully and be prepared to
act with due deliberation when it comes be-
+ Q re them.
Now, I do not wish to be understood that
in what l have said l nave been actuated by
my vindictive or unkind feelings toward
these words are uttered more in sorrow
than in anger,"s 81 row because at the or
ganizatlon of thi exchange I had con f.
IDENTIFY hoped that through it's instrume l.
tality tho antagonism between the employ
ers and the labor organizations would be
done away with, and that in the future
there would exist no doubt or uncertainty
as to their relations to each other. In this
| hope I have been so far disappointed, but
l do not yet despair of attaining this most
desirable end. What 1 lave said
must not be taken as the ex-
preston of this exchange, as n body, be-
cause / am an individual member and alone
responsible. This may and probably will
be construed into an attack upon organized
labor. II so l am prepared to suffer the
consequences. whatever they may be, but l
do not believe any honest, fair-minded
man could SO construe it.
/ have endeavored to state to you fairly
and impartially the attitude of the labor
question and it's relations to this exchange,
and as I SAID before l shall ask you to ex-
press yourselves on the matter at your
earliest convenience.
A committee then presented the follow
ing resolutions.
Resolved, That this exchange does hereby
affirm that absolute personal independence
of the individual to work or not to work, to
employ or not to employ, ia a fundamental
principle which should never be questioned.
That upon the strict observance of this
principle depends the security of our whole
social fabric and business prosperity.
That upo these fundamental principles
this association utterly refuses to confer or
arbitrate, but will be at all times rendy and
willing to confer or arbitrate in any matters
indicated by the laws of right or Justice ns
proper subjects for such action.
That this association declares that its
members have the right to employ any
paraon, regardless of any organization. npon
such terms as may bo mutually agreed upon
between themselves and such person, that
1T does not recognize the right of any
organization to dictate who shall or shall
not work, or who shpll or shall not be en-
ployed, that hoycotts and strikes will be
met by the members of this exchange by a
discharge within five days of all the members
of any organization responsible for suoh
boycott or strike that may be in their en-
p!oy at the time: provided. that such strike
or boycott shall not have been shown to be
justItiable after arbitration before tho
proper committee, M provided by the con-
stltution and bylaws of the exchange.
Final action upon the adoption of the
resolution will be taken next Thursday
evening.
1t was stated in the meeting Tint several
parties III the city We're intending erecting
large buildings ma soon ma this labor ques-
ton was settled, but unless it WAS disposed
OF in some way there could be- absolutely
no building done this year.