Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-11-03
SEEK LEAGUE WITH UNIONS
Purpose is to Not Antasonize But to
Work in Harmony With the Unions
Sympathetic Strikes, However,
Will be Opposed and Conservative
Plan Pursued.

cago has issued a call for national
convention for the purpose of forming
national association of building con-
tractors In contrast to the association
of which David NJ. Parry of Indian
apolis is the head, the cardinal princi-
pie of the proposed association is joint
trade agreements with trade unions
when practicable. Cancellation, CO.
operation, and arbitration are the
watchwords upon which the promoters
of this new association hope to build
up a system that will establish indus
trial peace in the building trades, and
thereby promote confidence and re-
newed prosperity.
The call has been sanctioned by
twenty-four leading associations of
contractors in as many big cities. The
first meeting is to be held in Chica-
go Thursday, Dec. 10. The call for the
convention was issued yesterday by
E. NJ Craig, secretary Of the Building
Contractors council of Chicago.
While the Citizens Industrial Asso-
citation Of America, launched last week
at the Kirnball hall meeting. takes un-
der It's protection the nonunion work
man and makes him eligible to it's
membership, the proposed National As
ISOLATION of Building Contractors ex-
tends u helping hand to the trade un-
ionist. In letter which accompanies
the call 1t is clearly stated that the
promoters of the proposed associations
appreciate the> fact that trade unions
have rights that are to be respected,
and 1t is asserted that the contractors
who hope to be a part of the national
body expect to treat with these I'M
ions.
Conditions Increase Interest.
The proposed organization is Of es-
pecial interest at this time on account
of the activity among the building
trades unions in an effort to centralize
the building trades into gigantic in
dustrial organization. This movement
on the part of the contractors will place
in the field an association of employers
as wide in scope as that proposed by
the trade unionists
In the letter accompanying the call
the present depression in the building
industry is in a measure credited to the
unusual activity of organized labor in
all branches of industry. Continuing,
the letter reads:
..while more or less general In the
building line, the attitude Of organized
labor in our manufacturing industries
has had a depressing effect upon the
building public, causing many build
ing operations to be either deferred or
abandoned. Proper steps should at
once be taken to inspire the confidence
of the building public. and insure to
them the continuation of work. We be-
lieve th,t only thru the medium of a
strong national association can this
be accomplished. The fact alone of
having a national association will hays8
a salutary effect upon any body of men.
and before any attempt is made to dis
turb industrial conditions in the build
ing line in any part of the country they
will consider the matter more carefully
than If such an organization did not
exist.
I'VE believe that the objects OF the
organization should be:
ITO advance and protect the inter-
ests of the contractor.
ITO secure equitable treatment in
their dealings with their employees
ITO encourage organization and tine
formation of associations of contrac-
tors.
ITO regulate conditions among build
ing contractors.
ITO devise means for the better adj
vancement of the interest of the con-
tractor.
1--WE believe that the policy OF the
organization respecting its attitude
toward organized labor. should be:
.s.ro maintain peace and harmony
between the employer and the en-
pIoye
.srhat the basis OF the settlement of
AN disn1tes should be cancellation and
arbitration
.ers,at me syr,,pa thettc strike should
be absolutely prohibited.
.vrhst where conditions are nroner
and amn,ovars. associations exist
a.,raan, es,ts no made with Them.
.1,bat a uniform form, of agreement,
Ia adonted and used in making ioint
:, eraansnts wages being adjusted ac-
corf,,nup to LOCAL conditions.
No Restrictions in MACHINERY.
..I,bat Ia oil agreements enhody IN
fo,,ow,ng nrncinl,.
..1,bat ,hera shall he NO restriction OF
tho nsa os machinery ar fools.
"T,ba, tb Gro sh AMI be no restriction of
,,,a ,,sa az anv manufa ctnred materia,
excent prison made.