Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-09-11

Al 6urr1Ct. president OF the Inter-
state Contra ctors and Dealers associa.
ton Of Connecticut, who was present
by Invitation, said that for the first
time in the history Of his state en-
ployers had formed protective organ
1zaton with membership of 700. In
q strike lasting six weeks only four
members had surrendered to the un-
ions. He believed the strike was prac.
tically won by the employers.
Otto NJ. Eidlitz called attention to the
Tact that the purpose of the new Or
ganizaton was to cooperate with the
unions for mutual benefit. The walk
Ing delegate, he said, would have to be
relegated to some other sphere.
Similar sentiments were expressed
by Charles T. Wills, A. Ferguson Of
Paterson. N. j.; Milton Snair, master
plumber, and William Baumgarten,
decorator and cabinet maker.
The same night that the meeting just
referred to was held contractors, build
ers and manufacturers of building ma
terial to the number of hundred met
in Brooklyn and organized the EN-
ployers' League Of the Borough Of
Brooklyn.
The first act of the new organization
was to adopt resolutions barring all
walking delegates and business agents
Of labor unions from the shops or op-
erations of members during working
hours. A movement was started look
ing to general lockout in the build
ing trades in Brooklyn on the follow
ing day, but it was voted down by
large majority.
At subsequent meeting the New
York builders organized temporarily by
the appointment Of an emergency COM
mittee, and the work of perfecting
their organization was placed in this
committees hands. One of the commit
tee said after the meeting:
Our efforts will probably result in the
organization Of national federation of
employers who have millions of men in
their employ in all branches Of the build
ing trades throughout the country. This,
if necessary will be an offset to the
American Federation OF Labor, which
claims to control 100000 workingmen
When an emergency like the present arises
and the unions seem to be running amuck
all over the country, making intolerable
demands which is would be ruinous to &C.
cede to. the question Of wages and hours
of labor figures very little. 1t is question
Of industrial independence.
If the national federation Of employ
ers is formed. as I expect. it will take
hold OF the situation without gloves, and
the result, l believe, will be more satis-
factory conditions and a more stable in
OuStrial system all Ove1. tho oo,,,frv
A prominent member of the board of
managers said that letters were being
received not only FROM employers Of
labor all over the country, but from ar
chitects and owners of buildings ask
ing for representa- ton in the organiza-
ton.
Another active member of the young
movement said in discussing the prob
able methods to be pursued:
Should any lumber dealer prove dis.
loyal to the association he will be disci-
plined just as the labor unions punish
members who violate their rules Not
only will a disaoyal member be boy
cotted by the other dealers, but influence
will be brought upon the national asso-
citation, which is practically the selling
agency Of the producers, to make trouble
for the refractory. firm.
A stfa more powerful weapon in the
hands Of the association is the support
given it In the present fight by powerful
banking institutions Any concern which
hampers the undertaking Of the associat-
ed firms wtal not get G1yuHng exceptional
in the way Of financial accommo tons.
Wide these gentlemen have frankly
stated that they are taking a lesson
from the American Federation of La
Dor in azndagaanattng the different as
sociations OF employers. it will be OBJ
served that they lay most stress upon
those features Of the labor programme
that are employed rarely and with
great reluctance by the organized work
ingmen. They have some smooth gen.
tlemen in the new Organization Of en-
plogers III New York. Take, for in
stance, this statement given to the
press by William K. Fertig, secretary
Of the assocat ton which sent out the
call for the general meeting of en-
ployers:
We almost with that skilled labor could
be included in our executive committee,
because we believe that that branch of
labor IS with us in desire to bring about
settled, stable condition of affairs.
Skilled labor, the intelligent, clear head
ed man who can earn from S. to SO
day and even as high as 500 a week, as
shown by pay rolls, is tired of suffering
for the reckless, Needless acts Of the COM
mon laborer. He knows that mistake
was made when he put such an Old Man
Of the Sea on his back, and he is with
us, openly or secretly in our effort to
get rid Of him.
The building trades of this city never
have tFoeable with skilled labor that calm
d5c~n1fon cannot settle. 1t Is with un-
Skilled labor that the trouble all arises
Almost the principal object Of our union.
if it may be called that, wi1l be to bring
these skilled men closer to US and to have
them get rid Of the incubus Of the unskilled
men as Retl as the dishonest or incom-
pete:1t med who sometimes obtain control
Of their working destinies
A we'll informed union man might
conclude from the tenor of Fertig's re.
marks that he had been holding
heart to heart talk with Peter NJ. Ar
thur and Chauncey NJ. Depew. Those
two gentlemen could tell him all the
kinks in the game Of playing in with
high priced labor to defeat and crush
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