The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1904-05-20
WILL BE LESS STRENUOUS
This Prophecy is Yentursd on Strikes
By MIR. D. M. Parry.
THE ASSOCIATION AND LABOR POLICY.
President Of the National Association Of
Manufacturers in His Address Before Its
Annual Convention in Pittsburg Says That
Organized Labor Is Having Some Valuable
Lessons.

Pittsburg, (SpeciaD. Nearly 700
delegates we're in their seats when the
ninth annual convention of the Ma
tional Association of Manufacturers
was called to. order by Chairman d..
c. Ripley, of the local committee of
reception. Following the invocation
by Rev. DR.. S. Edward Young City
Solicitor William B. Rodgers rendered
the freedom of the city to the dele
gates. Adjutant General Thomas
Stewart then welcomed them to the
state, and Congressman ]. E. Brown
received them on behalf of the Cham
Der of Commerce.
President D. M. Parry, of Indian
apolis, then took charge of the con-
vention and delivered his annual adj
dress. 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 pro-
perty insecure was put to an extensive
test and the results were disappoint-
ing to those who believe in that
theory. There are many indications
which go to show that organized
labor is learning very valuable lesson
in economies and law observance, and
| hopes can be reasonably entertained
that the strikes which have character
lied the last year will be less strenuous
in the immediate future"
I'm regard to the National Associa-
| ton of Manufacturers | am positive
that any crusade having for its object
the. grinding down of labor would
meet with 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 develop
ment of American industry. 1t is OBJ
their capital in productive enterprises
| if it means constant struggle with
labor unions and if frequent strikes
tend to destroy trade by making un-
certain the filling OF contracts. In
dustrial strife adds hazarl to invest
ments involving the employment of
| labor which cannot fail to be injurious
to industrial development, thus caus-
| ing permanent loss ito all classes.
| Therefore our policy is one which
| looks to the maintenance of peace
and not to the adoption of measures
that will arouse hostilities.'
Speaking of the closed shops Mr..
Parry said:
THE closed shop is against public
policy and is of doubtful legality. The
liberty of the individual would be i'm
possible if he is debarred from the
right to contract for his services be-
cause he does net belong to 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 right
to contract in collective capacity
| for the sale of their labor, but they
cannot be upheld in making contracts
which exclude other labor from the
right to contract"
In closing he announced that the
association had gained thousand
members IN the last year, bringing the
total membership up to 1000, and was
in better financial condition than it
ever has been.