The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-18
SAYS CLOSED SHOP IS
AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY
President Parry Delivers Annual
Address Before National Man
ufacturers' Convention.
TO ELECT OLD OFFICERS

PITTSBURG. Pa, May H.-Nearly 200
delegates were in their seats when the
ninth annual convention of the National
Association of Manufacturers was called
to order to-day by Chairman d. c. Rip
ley, of the local committee on reception.
Following the invocation by the Rev.
DR.. Edward Young, City Solicitor William
b. Rogers rendered the freedom of the city
to the delegates. Adjutant General Thomas
A. Stewart then welcomed them to the
State, and Congressman j. S. Brown
ceived them on behalf of the Chamber of
Commerce.
President ID. NJ. Parry, of Indianapolis,
then took charge of the convention and
delivered his annual address. He briefly
discussed the labor problem, which he de-
clared was at present the paramount ques-
ton before the association. In reviewing
the labor events of the past year, he said:
The theory that the condition of labor
can be bettered by checking production
and making life and property insecure was
put to an extensive test and the results
were disappointing to those who believe
in that theory. There are many indications
which go to show that organized labor is
learning a very valuable lesson in econom-
les and law observance, and hopes be
reasonably entertained that the strikes
which have characterized the last year will,
be less strenuous In the immediate future.
After celebrating on the costliness of
labor strife, which he declared TO be a
national calamity, he said: lit is absurd
to charge the manufacturers and employers
of this country with desiring war with
their employees. II there is anything which
the manufacturers as a class desire more
than another it is that of having loyal and
contented workmen. What's more, the
average employer will yield a good deal in
order to have such employees. But he is
not going to yield his right to run his own
business, and he would be a poor speci-
men of an American citizen If he did yield
that right
Speaking of the closed shop, Mr. Parry
said: THE closed shop is against public
policy and is of doubtful legality. The
liberty of the individual would be impossi-
BILE If he is debarred from the right TO
contract for his services because he does
not belong to a union. / believe that this
truth will become generally recognized and
that the day must come when no industry
will be allowed to run on the closed shop
plan. Any set of men have a right 10 con-
tract in a collective capacity for the sale
of their labor. but they cannot be upheld
in making contracts which exclude other
labor frem the right TO contract"
One OF the most important features Of
this meeting will be the adoption OF now
constitution for the association. The ex-
ecutive committee of the association has
been at work since the last meeting of the
association, held in New Orleans. prepaT-
ing the new constitution. and IL will likely
be adopted with but few changes. There
will probably be changes made i'm the
officers Of the association for the coming
year. and D. II. Parry, of indianapolis as
as secretary. and r. III. Stillman of New
York. as treasurer. will likely be elected
at the closing session of the convention,
TO be held Thursday.