The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-22


against ubiquitous legislation proposed
by organized labor. Said he: so long
as the employer has a righteous cause,
that cause is worthy of being properly
presented both to the public and the
law-making body, and it is the business
of the employer to make such ade-
quate provisions as will insure its be-
ing properly presented. l hope the time
will come when the Citizens Industrial
association will be able to look out for
the interests of the employers and
good citizenship of the country, not
only at Washington, but at every state
capital"
Mr.. Parry then spoke of the moral
effect of the National association on
party organizations, after which ne ao-
vocated the creation of a national LABOR
bureau which would keep a record OF
law violators for the information OF
employers. Continuing, Mr.. Parry
said: I think it proper for me TO say
q few words as to the duty the employ
er owes to the employe and the general
public. In the first place the employer
would be derelict in his moral obliga-
lions to labor If he became voluntary
party to discrimination in the employ
ment of men according as they may oS
may not belong to some civil organlza-
ton having lawful purposes In 9 free
country a. mans political or rellglous
belief should not be considered a bar
to his chance of making l1Vennooo.
Neither should his membership or nom
membership in a union pc sucn a DIAL.
In order that freedom be something
more than a mere name, the general
public must possess the r1gnt OF con-
tract. There could be ofreeoom IL only
a certain portion of the people had the
right to contract for the sale OF their
labor or services. The employer should
not be Influenced by any other cohsla-
Grafton in the hiring of men tnan the
ability, fitness and loyalty OF the ap-
plicant. 1t is only by following poilcy
i ,o,.if 90 n receive
just reward and the highest measure OF
success secured in industry. therefore,
it is the plain duty of the employer 70
resist to the uttermost the closed SHOP
demand of organized labor.
"Since it is his moral duty not TO uiS-
crirninate between union and 1ndepeno-
ent labor, it is his duty through organl-
cation to demonstrate to the genera pun
lie that he should not be forced INTO pe-
coming an involuntary party TO Sucn
discrimination I do not believe that
the general public will support organ
lied labor in its efforts to compel the
employer to become its business agent,
for such he would become if he be forced
to refuse employment to me because
they do not belong to the union Inc
leaders of organized labor will be re-
lieved of a great deal of the burden OF
maintaining the membership of their
organization if the employers could pc
compelled to keep up this membership
for them. Therefore in not resisting the
efforts of the labor agitators to make
them their tool in the work Oh Iasteh-
ing the shackles- of despotism upon Ia
Dor the employers are gravely lacking
in the duty they owe to labor in gen
eral. The employer has legal right
to employ only union men II ne chooses,
and the members of a union have the
legal right to refuse to work with in
dependent labor. But 1 maintain that
neither the employer nor the members
of the union have any moral right IN
either case to thus discriminate against
men who do not care to belong to GER
tain organization IF the unions per-
sist, however, in discriminating against
the independent laborer by refusing to
work with him, their legal right to dis
criminate ends with their refusal to
work. No union has the legal right to
prevent the independent laborer from
working, and neither has it the legal
right to compel the employer not to
hire the Independent workman. Now
that there must ~ be discrimi-
nation against Independent labor
as the price for the employment of I'M
ion labor, then I believe it may become
the duty of the employer to discrimin-
ate against union labor The employer
who are seeking to compel him not to
employ other men and who are also seek
ing to invade his rights in other respects.
The unions must understand that while
men have the right to organize any asso-
Citations they see fit there is this qualifi-
cation InaI Ine acts anu PuIp oSSS VI SuNh
associations shall not be contrary to law
and the spirit of American freedom, and
they must understand that those who
join associations which seek to discrmin-
ate against other men may expect in
time to find themselves Disseminated
Frederick. f. Matson. of indianapolis
Mr. Matson is the attorney for the ma
tionaI association and will address the
house judiciary committee at Washing
The constitution adopted at the prelim-
mary meeting of the association at Chi
adopted with a few changes. The general
sentiment of the delegates is that the
ton on the eight hour bill and that the
United States senate should be urged to
hear representatives of employees before
taking action.