The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-24


enormous bull. an overgrown golden calf.
which Is dashins about in the china shop
Of the labor organizations SCATTERING the
images. They call him bioated capitalist
with horns, and think he is seventeen feet
high and weighs ton. The real David NJ.
Parry measures five feet six inches, and
he tips the beam at just 125 pounds. If he
has horns I have not discovered them. His
black hair is well brushed back from
high forehead, his dark face is smooth
shaver and his eyes are gentle and his
voice as suave as that OF any business
men know.
Mr.. Parry has made himself noted as the
chief antagonist OF organized labor in the
United States. He has use for labor
unions In any shape, and he does not hesi-
tate to say SO. He net only opposes them
himself, but he Is now the president OF
the Manufacturers Association. which has
. membership of 1000 of the leading fac
tories and corporations Of this country, COW
ertng every part of the United States He
tells me that they represent capital run
ming high into the billions of dollars and
that each pays $50 year to the associa-
ton as membership dues. The association
largely represents the anti-union sentiment
or the country, although 1 venture many of
its members would not indorse views so
radical as those Of Mr.. Parry.
II was In the Offices OF the association
that met Mr.. Parry. 1 had come for an
interview. and he answered my questions
ut once Said he:
You ask why I oppose organized
labor. DO II because as it exists in the
United States IT is revolutionary. 1t makes
the Declaration or independence and the
Constitution obsolete documents and de-
clares all OF US who are old-fashiOned
10 believe in individual liberty the OPP
pressors OF labor and the enemies of the
race; 1 believe many OF the labor leaders
would guillotine Us II they could.
ORGANIZED LABOR AS n MOB
That is rather strong language, Mr.. Par
~" said 1.
Yes. but believe In calling things by
their right names. Organized labor as it
now Is Is standing mob engaged in acts
of open rebellion against the government.
IL defes the constituted authorities and
tries 20 nullify individual and property
rights. Such rebellion Is worse than that
which had the secession OF the States for it's
object. and I think it is high time the
country was waking UP TO the fact"
Why, look at it." Mr.. Parry went on.
I'VE have had a series Of labor insurrec-
in which the unions have tried to force
their authority by mob law. They de-
nounce the government officials who try
To restrain them, they are keeping their
members out OF the militia, and they have
even attempted to make the President Of
the United States violate his oath Of office
10 please them. In their crusade against
the exercise Of individual rights, they have
clustered. threatened, assaulted and muir
dered- They even threaten helpless women
and children. / know the leaders of the
labor unions will disclaim responsibility for
such crimes, but they are nevertheless the
accOmplices Of the brutal and ignorant men
whom they have melted to commit such out
What right have you to speak against
labor, Mr.. Parry" said /. Have you
ever been a wOrkingman yourself?'
Il have the right of both a workingman
and an employer: was the reply. Il have
worked all my life. and i work now | be-
gan to work on the farm as a boy. and l
know all about farm work, from the dig
ging OF post-holes TO hauling manure.
have clerked in store. sold goods on the
road and had a hardware store of my own.
i am now an employer of labor, having
several thousand hands; l am also a con
sumner, and every man has right 10 dis
cuss matters in which he is so vitality in
terested."
How about working at a trade? DO you
know anything OF mechanics"
make buggies and | understand every
thing connected with my business and have
worked at every branch of it.
Gould you set q wagon tire?'
Il have set thousands of them. have
worked with my men. and / think I know
something of the wOrkingmen Of the United
States. 1t Is not right to look upon the
unions as representing American labor. for
~ per cent. OF our workmen do not belong
10 them. / am a friend of the wlrkingman.
but not of him as trades unionist.'
HOW ONE MAN WAS BOYCOTTED.
Have you had any personal OK periences
with unions in your work?'
IF you mean in my factory have not.
have always run an open shop and so far
the unions have refraned from making any
demands upon me in my capacity as an
employer Since I have been dcnouncing
their methods. however. 1 have had one
little experience which shows that the agi-
tators were looking for an excuse 10 ruin
my business. 1t is little matter and
hardly worth mentioning
"A painter one day asked me for a Job
had nothing for him in the factory and
told him that he might paint the steps of
my house, although they hardly needed it,