The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-20

II - thlCAOO Is the great slOIIu center
4 of labor and capital in the United
States. Its record Of strikes ex-
IEIE4l ceeds that of any other city 1t
&C., has about 100000 men in its trades
unions and II has been and is now largely
ruled by the man in the overalls- At the
same time the capitalists are good fighters.
They have studied trades union methods
and within the past few months have COM
bined together in a great association to
protect themselves. Nearly every business
has its local organization Of employers,
and these have affiliated with the great
city association Of employers, which is now
opposing a solid front TO most Of the de-
mands Of organized labor.
The Chicago Employers Association rep
resents a capital of thousands Of millions
OF dollars. 1t is backed by Marshall Field
& Co. ard the great department stores. by
the millionaire pork packers and the steel
magnates. by the street railways and by
about 1900 other companies and individuals
handling altogether a number of workmen
far in excess of the army of the United
States.
This association is running its campaign
in opposition to organized labor on much
the same lines as those which organized
labor has used TO defeat the individual en-
ployer. 1t has brought a feature into
the labor question and one which promises
TO extend to every city of the United
States. Similar associations are being or
ganized in many places and they may in
time from part of great national associa-
ton. embracing the whole country.
The Chicago Employers Association can
command Id end of money and it is ready
n
workman the individual employer, sup
plying the latter with funds to reimburse
him for losses in case of strikes and even
carrying him financially at the banks. 1t
viii protect him or the workman in the
courts and bring the best legal talent in
opposition to any fight with organized Ia
The association has secretary who is
paid salary bigger than that of a United
states senator He holds much the same
position In regard 10 the association as
Samuel Gompers does TO the American Fed
Grafton of Labor John Mitchell to the
United Mine Workers. and he has, in fact,
the Milionaires Club. The real name of
this man is Frederick w. Job, and his
profession is that of lawyer. He is an
Illinois man and a graduate of Ann Arbor.
He is. judge, about forty years old, is six
feet tall and weighs 200 pounds He is big
headed and broad-shouldered. having the
muscles of an athlete and the jaw of
bulldog. lie looks like a good fighter and
as far as l can learn, is proving himself
so.
HOW CHICAGO EMPLOYERS COMBINE.
i met MIR. Job in his office in the Mar
quette building on Dearborn street and
had long chat with him about the EN-
ployers' Association and the labor condi-
tons here. In response TO my questions
as to the association. he said:
I'VE are combination of employers I'M
ions rather than an association of indi-
vidual employers. without regard TO our
businesses. The association does not want
Individual employers as MEMBERS although
there are cases in which such are taken
In. IL Is rather an utilization of the repre-
sentatives of employers associations. For
instance, the laundry owners of Chicago
have an organization. the manufacturing
confectioners have an organization and the
brass manufacturers and the picture frame
makers have each an organization. Ii is
so With nearly every branch of the bust
ness. We are made up of all these organi-
nations as such, and If individual en-
ployer wants TO join us we tell him to
Join the employers organization of his own
business and to be represented through IT,"
Then you are to the employers associa-
tons much what the American Federation
of Labor is to the different trades unions?'
Yes" said Mr.. Job. save that our field
Is confined TO Chicago and its neighborhood.
and also that We believe in the laws and in
doing all We can TO enforce them, and this
the trades unions do not"
rs your association avowedly opposed to
all organized labor?'' I asked.
operated. / say most emphatically yes"
was the reply. I'VE do not object to men
combining or organizing TO better their
conditions so long they do not break the
laws as regards the public, their employers
or their fellow-workmen. We insist that
every man should have the right TO work.
that every employer shall have the right
employ whom he pleases
do you aim 70 do anything as to fixing
wages and prices?' i asked.
Not at ALL" replied the secretary. THAT
Is a matter for the employers and their
men. or IL may be for the associa tons of
the different branches or trade and the
men. All that we want is the preservation
OF our principles TO the enforcement of
the laws In the protection of the public.
OF the employer and his business and of
the rights of the men to work whether
they belong 70 a union not. We don't
care for more laws. We are satisfied with
those already on the statute books. What
want is to have the laws enforced"
FOR THE OPEN SHOP.
what has been your chief fight. Mr.
Job?"
1--WE are fighting for several things" was
the reply I'm the first place. we want the
open shop; second, we want no sympathet-