Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-22
PARRY rs THE FEATURE
CITIZENS INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIA-
TIoN OF AMERICA
Holds First Annual Convention at In
dianapolis Today-Over $50
Delegates Present.

The first annual convention of the Citi-
zens' Industrial Association of America
began today at the auditorium Of the
Claypool Over $50 delegates are here
The larger delegations came from Boston,
Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis, ST.
Louis, Chicago and Cleveland. One hun
dred and fifty cities and 400 associations
are expected to be represented.
The address of President Parry of In
dianapolis was the feature of the program.
President Parry's Address.
1.-The interest of all classes, including
those of labor, cannot avoid being injured
by attempts upon the part of either gov
eminent 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 disas-
trOusly 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
f1uenced by any other consideration in the
hiring of men than the ability, fitness and
loyalty of the applicant 1t is only by fol-
lowing policy of this kind that merit can
receive it's just reward and the highest
measure of success secured in industry.
Therefore, it is the plain duty of the en-
ployer to resist to the uttermost the
closed-shop demand of organized labor
His Moral Duty.
''Since it is his moral duty not to dis
criminate between union and Independent
labor, it is his duty through organization
to demonstrate to the general public that
he should not be forced into becoming an
involuntary party to such discrimination.
I do not believe that the general public
will support organized labor in it's efforts
to compel the employer to become it's bust
ness agent, for such he would become If he
be forced to refuse employment to men be-
cause they do not belong to the union.
THE leaders of organized labor will be
relieved of great deal of the burden of
maintaining the membership of their or
ganizatfon If the employers could be COM
PEELED to keep up this membership for
them. Therefore, In not resisting the eff
forts of the labor agitators to make them
their tools in the work of fastening the
shackles of despOtism upon labor, the en-
ployers are gravely lacking in the duty they
owe to labor in general.
Employers Legal Right.
THE employer has a legal right to en-
ploy only union men if he chooses and the
members of union have the legal right to
refuse to work with independent labor. But
I 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
certain organizations. If the union persist,
however, in discriminating against the in
dependent laborer by refusing to work with
him, their legal right to discriminate ends
with their refusal to work.
mo 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 work.
man. Now, II the unions take the position
that there must be discrimination against
independent labor as the price for the en-
ployment of union labor, then l believe it
may become the duty Of the employer to
discriminate against union labor.
Invading Employers Rights.
1.-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 re-
spects.
1.-The unions must understand that while
men have the right to organize any assoc a.
lions they see fit. there is this qualification
that the acts and purposes of such associa-
tions shall not be contrary to law and the
spirit of American freedom and they must
understand that those who join assoc:a-
tons which seek to discriminate against
other men may expect in time to find them
selves Disseminated against"
Vigorous Position on Etght-Hour Bill.
The constitution adopted at the prelimi-
nary meeting of the association at Chicago
October % and 80 will probably be adopted
with few changes.
The general sentiment of the delegates is
that the association should take a vigorous
position on the eight hour bill and that the
United States Senate should be urged to
hear representatives OF employers before
taking action. OppoSition to the so-cailed
anti-injunction bill Is heard. and resoiu-
ton will probably be adopted to this effect
Delegation to Visit Washington.
A large delegation will go to Washington
when the convention adjourns to oppose the
bill
The establishment of labor bureaus in the
country's Industrial csnters to furnish re-
ports Of the labor market will be considered.
The plan viii be presented TO the conven-
ton by c. w. Post OF Battle Creek Mich
OF the National Adyertisers Association