The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-30
COM BINE
AGAINST
UNIONS
Clergyman Urges Employers in
Convention to Form a Huge
National Organization.

Chicago. Oct so.--wsr on labor unions
by gigantic combination of employers,
employees and all perscns opposed TO
union shop principles was urged In so
forcible a manner by the Rev. James G.
Boedtke, a Presbyterian minister from
sheibyville. Ind. at Thursdays meeting
of employers in Kimball that he swept
away the original plans Of the conven-
ton
Instead OF federation OF employers
associations there will be huge ma
tional organization that will embrace en-
ployers associations and citizens alli-
ances and a protective union OF employ
ers and employees whose main object VIII
be 10 oppose labor unions
Between 1000 900 and 5000, 900 persons
I'm the United States viii become mem
bers OF the organization, the advocates
OF the plan believe. They expect that
thousands OF men in every state will
leave the labor unions and join the new
organization, which will pledge them pro-
lection against the unions.
Until the Shelbyville preacher OF whom
not moro than half a dozen men i'm the
hall had heard before. spoke. there was
uncertainty concerning the lines on which
the federation should be formed. There
vention with the idea that a national
organization Of the employers associa
tions-for employers alone-was TO be
formed. Delegates from dozen or more
citizens alliances in the west came also
and as the alliances included in their
membership lawyers, doctors and even
employees. as well as employers the prob
lem of what should be done about them
al once confronted the convention.
W. fu
perplexing question the Rev. Boedtke
arose. lie proclaimed that an organza-
tion OF employers alone would be class
organization. which would not win the
approval of the public. Then he pleaded
for federation built on broad lines-one
that would include all who believe labor
unions were oppressive and who would
pledge themselves to oppose them.
NINETY PER CENT OPPOSED
Ninety per cent of the workingmen
in the country are opposed to labor
unions, was one OF the assertions he
made. If the organization would allow
employees to join as well IA employers
and would assure them protection from
the unions, he argued that many work
ingmen would flock to it,
Delegates from the Kansas City Citi-
zens' alliance, that claims member
ship of 1Lo00. from the Denver Citizens
oihaH'N' tHdl tlalns 0yp members, and
from other alliances cheered the min
ister's words. and they won favor also
with many OF the delegates from cen.
tral and eastern employers associations
until then opposed to the idea.
ID. NJ. Parry. president OF the National
Manufacturers association who was be-
lieved to favor an exclusively EMPLOYERS
organization, said: II don't see what dif-
ference 1t will make with the federation
on what basis the individual associations
are formed"
Others were more enthusiastic One
man declared that the organization would
WELD a political influence. He declared:
The labor unions have not shown them
selves able TO carry elections, but an
organization OF this kind would exert
great influence"
There were 900 delegates. representing
nearly 100 cities and about 125 associations.
present at the convention. They came
from all four parts OF the country and
there was scarcely state that was not
represented.
Frederick w. Job, secretary OF the Chi
cago Employers association, called the
convention 10 order at 10 o'clock this
morning and the convention at once pro-
ceeded TO choose temporary officers J
w. Van Cleave Of St. Louis was chosen
temporary chairman A. G. Marshall was
made temporary secretary.
AT the night session name was adopt-
cd. which was The Citizens Industrial
Association of America