The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-18
AGAINST CLOSED SHOPS
PARRY SPEAKS TO ASSOCIATION
 OF MANUFACTURERS.
President Says Membership of the Convention Would Oppose Amy Attempt to Grind Down La-
 bOr-nTeeting in PIttsburg.

Pittsburg, May 17.-Nearly 700 dele gates were In their seats when the ninth annual convention of the Nation- al Association of Manufacturers was called to order by Chairman D. c. Rip ley of the local committee of reception pr. E. S. Edward Young. City Solicitor wm. B. Rogers rendered the freedom of the city to the delegates. Adjutant- General Thomas A. Stewart then vel comed them to the State, and Con Rressman J. S. Brown received them on behalf of the Chamber of Com
 President D. M. Parry of Indianap- oils, then took charge of the conven- ton and delivered his annual address He spoke , in part tn as f91iows fbn condltion of labor can be bettered by checking pro- duction and making life and property insecure" he said. was put to exten- siye test and the results were disap- pointing to those who believe In that theory There are many indications which go to show that organized laoor is learning a valuable lesson in econ omics and law observances. and hopes can be reasonably entertained that the strikes which have characterized the last year will be less strenuous In the
 Tn regard to the National Assocla- tion of Manufacturers, l am positive that any crusade having for It's object inc RrlnQlnk uOWn OI NOulh with the determined opposition of practically the entire membership. The policy of this association IS primarily one of peace. If we stand for anything we stand for the development of American industry. It Is obvious that men will hesitate to invest their cap ital in productive enterprises If 1t means constant struggle with labor unions and if frequent strikes tend to destroy trade by making uncertain the filling of contracts. Industrial strife adds a hazard to investments invoiv- ing the employment of labor which cannot fail to be injurious to industrial development, thus causing permanent loss to all classes. Therefore our pol
 icy is one which looks to the mainten- nnce of peace and not to the adoption
 of measures that will arouse hostili-
 Speaking of the closed shop, MT.
 .The closed shop Is against public policy and is of doubtful legality. The liberty of the individual would be inn
 possible if he Is debarred from the right to contract for his services be- cause he does not belong to union. I 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 right to | contract in a collective capacity for | the sale of their labor. but they can l not be upheld in making contracts
 which exclude other labor from the right to contract.
 | In closing he announced that the association had gained a thousand | members in the last year. bringing the | total membership up to 5000, and was | in better financial condition than 1t ever has been.
 One of the most important features l of this meeting will be the adoption of A new constitution for the organiza = | tion. The executive committee has | been at work since the last meeting l held in New Orleans preparing ..le new constitution. and 1t will likely be adopted with but few changes
 There will probably be no changes made in the officers of the association for the coming year. and D. M. Parry, l as president; Marshall Cushing of New York, as secretary, and F. Fl. Stillman of New York, as treasurer, likely will be elected at the closing session of the | convention next Tuesday. New vice | presidents may be selected on account | of State representation and the execu- tive committee may be changed slight. | ly on this account.
 | This association now has 5000 mem-
 bers, nearly 1000 members having been | received during the last year.
 The treasurer's report shows bal l ance of about S15,000.
 During the stay in the city the dele. | gates will be shown the Various indus. 1 trial plants of the city and all tho principal points of interest. Arrange. | ments have been made for a specia
 boat excursion on Thursday. A ball anC
 reception VIII he given at the Hote SchneHy tonight.