Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-23
AIexatroria Gazef@.
TUESDAY EVENING. FEB. %, 1904.
CITIZENS INDUSTRIAL ASSO-
CITATION.

O4A 44ONs
TIE first annual convention of the
Citizens Industrial Association of Amer
lea began in Indianapolis yesterday.
Over $50 delegates are there.
The address Of President Parry, OF
Indianapolis, was the feature Of the pro-
gramme. Mr. Parry spoke in substance
as follows:
The interests Of all classes, including
those of labor, cannot avoid being IN
iured by attempts upon the part OF
either government or civil organizations
looking to the arbitrary regulation OF
industry. Therefore, eight-hour, anti
Injunction and national arbitration bills
are to be utterly condemned as being
dangerous innovations in government
and certain to affect disastrously the
national welfare. There could be no
freedom if only certain portion of the
people had the right to contract for the
sale of their labor or services. The en-
ployer should not be influenced by any
other consideration in the hiring of men
than the ability, fitness and loyalty OF
the applicant. 1t is only by following
policy of this kind that merit can
receive its just reward and the
highest measure of success secured
in industry. Therefore, it is the plain
duty of the employer to resist to the ut
termost the closed-shop demand of or
gained labor. Since it is his moral duty
not to discriminate between union and
independent labor, is his duty, through
organization, to demonstrate to the gen
eral public that he should not be forced
into becoming an involuntary party to
such discrimination. | do not believe
that the general public will support or
ganized 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 men because
they do not belong to the union. The
leaders of organized labor will be relieved
of great deal of the burden of maintain
ing the membership of their organization
if the employers could be compelled to
keep up this membership for them.
Therefore, in not resisting the efforts Of
the labor agitatOrs to make them their
tools in the work Christening the shackles
of despotism upon labor the employers
are gravely lacking in the duty they
owe to labor in general. The en-
ployer has legal right TO employ only
union men if he chooses, and the MEM
bers of union have the legal right to
refuse to work with Independent labor.
But l maintain that neither the en-
ployer 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 certain organiza
tons. If the union persist, however, in
discriminating against the independent
laborer by refusing to work with him
their legal right to discriminate ends
with their refusal to work. No union
has the legal right to prevent the indie
pendent laborer from working, and
neither has it the legal right to compel
the employer not to hire the independ-
ent workman. Now, if the unions take
the position that there must be dis
elimination against independent labor
as the price for the employment of union
labor, then believe it may become the
duty of the employer to discriminate
against union labor. The employer is
not to be expected to employ men who
are seeking TO compel him not to employ
other men, and who are also seeking to
invade his rights in other respects. The
unions must understand that, while men !
have the right to organize any associa-
tions they see fit, there is this qualifca-
tion-that the acts and purposes Of such
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 discrlmi-
nate against other men may expect in
time to find themselves Disseminated
against.