Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-02-03


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A paragraph fro1a the xS>eesstso1
declaration 81 pzsEciples H&y bs later
estsaS a. showing tAs seasr@l sFe<1Isa y
takes zad - indlrasissx ~ the saeioaossss
shetaer say fex1s II srsi1rssioa : Ike
y ~ De reessE4fneadea WHICH vii dlEaiSa-
ish tAe eezaker 81 strikes IL the bsild-
ing trades. - freqaent IL the lsst lev
years
1. This Association sfirsas that ae-
s.olate personal iaSsepes.eenee 81 The ta-
disiaaal 20 work or uot - work. - en-
principle ~ hieh shonld never De qaes-
toned OF assailsd. that upon IL depends
the security Of our whole social fabric
and business prosperity. and that en-
ployers and werkaen should be equally
interested In its defense and preserva-
ton While aphoiding this principle as
an essential safeguard for eli concerned,
this Association would appeal 10 en-
ployers ia the building trades 70 reeog-
nize that there are many opportunities
for good In associations of workmen;
and, while eondeInning and opposing
improper action upon their part. they
should aid and assist them in all just
and honorable purposes. That while,
upon fundamental principles. it would
be useless TO confer or arbitrate, there
are still many points upon which con-
ferenees and arbitration are perfectly
right and proper, and that upon such
points il is manifest duty 20 take ad-
vantage Of the opportunities afforded
By associations To confer together, 10
the end that strikes, lockouts and other
disturbance may be- prevented. When
such conferences are entered into, care
should be taken To state clearly, in add
vance. that this fundamental principle
must be maintained. and that such con-
ferences should only be competent to
report results in the form of resolutions
of recommendation to the individuals
composing the various organizations
participating. avoiding all forms of
dictatorial authority.
In preparing TO receive the visiting
members of the craft. the New York
Mechanics and Builders Exchange
has been assisted by the Building
Trades Club, an organization which is
the only one of its kind in the country.
OF course the club members are nearly
all members of the exchange, but the
club as body acts independently. 1t
has handsome ro1Zns at No. 20 East
Twenty-frst street, and these will be pre-
pared for the reception of the visiting
builders. Among the interesting things
which they will see there-exclusive of
first rate lunch-will be a fine collection
of photographs of all the principal build
ings in the city. The handsome, WELL
lighted room now used for billiard-play-
ing will include both the lunch and the
Photographic exhibition.
No doubt the visitors will vote unani-
mously that the Building Trades Club
is great institution, even as il stands,
though il is nothing to what it will be-
II it's ambitious designs are carried out
and there is no reason to doubt that
they will be-. The club is negotiating
for the lease of new home which one
of the members told me was now a
''palatial residence" When they get it
they will fit it up in a manner well fitted
to supply both business and social needs.
The first floor will be used for business
purposes. There will be opportunities
for conferences between men engaged in
different departments of building work;
between contractors and sub-contractors
for instance. Stenographers and type
writers will be furnished by the club.
and all sorts of documents can thus be
speedily prepared. On the floors above
will be the rooms for social purposes;
the cafe and parlor. 1t is an institu-
ton likely to be duplicated, or at least
initiated in other large cities by and by.
Its membership is drawn exclusively
from those actively engaged in build
ing work. 1t has been in existence
only year and half, but is already
an assured success.
The club talks shop" and is not
ashamed of it. Within it's walls one
hears nothing but discussions upon sub
jects relating TO building.
1.-THE chappies in the clubs on the
avenue talk clothes and society" said a
member to me, land the athletic club
men talk smuggling and rowing. Our
conversation is little more solid, that's
ALL The club has done great deal in
introducing builders to each other
socially. Men who have been bidding
against each other and doubtless hating
each other for years meet here. and
learn that they're both good fellows
after ALL" HOWARD FIELDING.