The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-10
BROADENS ITS SCOPE.
concluded FROM FIRST PAGE)


OF labor. Among the trades associations
that are expected to affiliate are the Metal
Trades, the Foundrymens Association and
numerous others. The idea is to gather I'M
der the banner of the Manufacturers As
ISOLATION every organization that is in SYM
pathy with its purpose, welding the whole
into a powerful weapon against labor,
Any person, firm or employer engaged in
any legitimate business may be a member
of the National Association of Manufacture
ers and Employers. Hitherto only a manu-
facturer could be a member of the Ma
tional Manufacturers Association. The let
ting down the bars to include all classes of
employers, all forms of capital, is signifi-
cant of the determination of those at the
head OF the movement to fight labor with
labor's own weapons, its own methods.
Members of the National Manufacturers
Association will be asked to vote by mail
the new constitution after Ii has been
submitted TO the executive committee.
THE CONSTITUTION.
The constitution is a lengthy document
and also includes a set of bylaws 1t is
not, however. merely the result of two
days discussion by a committee, but is
the fruit OF considerable agitation and study
OF the many questions involved by quite
number of the active members of the asso-
citation At the New Orleans convention a
number of resolutions were adopted looking
10 the organization of state trade and local
associations of employers and their affilia-
ton under some plan with the national
body The plan adopted aims TO embody
the spirit and intent of these resolutions
and at the same time 10 preserve the es-
sential character of the national organiza-
uon along Its old lines. AS the result of
several conferences Mr.. Kirby accepted the
task of making a tentative draft of the
constitution. and this draft was used as
OASIS Tor the work of the committee The
adoption OF the constitution by the commit
tee does not necessarily mean that il will
BE ultimately adopted by the association
mn Nrnr
ecutive committee, which meets in Septem-
Der, and then be submitted to a vote of the
association membership by mail.
This change of the name gives the lev
note 10 the whole document. One of the
main questions has been whether a national
federation of employers should be formed
separate from the Manufacturers Associa-
ton, the latter TO become a member of the
federation. or whether the Manufacturers
Association itself become the national fed
Grafton. There has been general expecta-
ton among the various associa tons that
the Manufacturers Association should take
me lead in centralizing the general move
ilent among employers that has been going
on Tor some months past. How TO do this
and avoid too radical change in the char
acter OF the Manufacturers Association has
been the problem The committee believes
that II has arrievd at the proper solution
and that IL will meet with general accent
ance when il is understood
AGITATION AND EDUCATION.
There is a general disposition among the
various associations TO leave To the Mann
facturers' Association the special function
OF agitation and education, and 10 a large
degree the work of protecting the inter-
ests OF employers against pernicious legis-
lation proposed in Congress, etc. The new
constitution provides a plan by which all
employers associations can become MEM
bers OF the Manufacturers Association for.
the purposes OF this general kind of work
thus forming the most powerful machinery
Tor propaganda and the influencing of nuh-
lie thought and legislative action in a Ie-
The manufacturers Association at present
consists OF $500 of the leading manufac
turers over the country. and the reorganiza-
ton Will orlng In line with il the thou
sands OF members contained in other asso-
Citations.
The constitution provides for four classes
Of membership. The first is the particinat-
corporations engaged in any legitimate bus
mess. THIS class is thus not limited RI
manufacturers alone The annual fea for
members of this class is the present rate
OF 10. and this entities the members TO AN
the privileges OF active membership
The second class OF membership Is known
as the auxiliary membership and This fs
Insue 10 consis; OF national and state assoc
cartons OF employers. manufacturers etc
Zach such member shall pay a minimum
Zee or $lOJ year. and be represented bv
oeiegates at the annual conventions sncb
ueIeeates 10 have right OF voting and 70
serve on committees. The third class of
membership Is the contributing class ana
may consist Of persons, Corporations nd
local associations. The minimum fee OF This
class Is rs. and carries with il voice in
tnt confenu0as but no vote. exceDf that
WHEN such contributing members SHAH ma "
~ least 80 they shall have the rights and
privileges accorded the auxiliary members
1onorary members shall pay SIS year.