Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-02-22
PRESIDENT PARRY
ON LABOR PROBLEM

indianapolis Feb. 22.--The first an.
nual convention Of the Citizens Indus.
trial association OF America began to-.
day at the Auditorium Of the Claypool.
over $50 delegates are here. II is ex.
pected that $50 cities and 400 associa-
tons will be represented.
The address OF President Parry OF
Indianapolis was the feature Of the pro-
gram He said.
The Interest OF all classes, including
those Of labor. cannot avoid being in
jured by attempts upon the part OF
either government or civil organizations
looking 10 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 disastrously the
national welfare.
There could be no freedom II only
certain portion Of the people had the
right to contract for the sale OF their
labor or services, The employer should
not be influenced by any other consi-
deration I'm the hiring OF men than their
ability, fitness and loyalty Of the appn-
cant. II is only by following a policy
OF this Kind that merit can receive Its
just reward and the highest measure
OF success be secured In industry.
Therefore, II was the plain duty OF the
employer 10 resist TO the utmost the
closed shop demand Of organized labor.
Since II Is his moral duty not to dis
criminate between union and indepen-
dent labor II is his duty through organi-
Zatlon to demonstrate to the general
public that he should not be forced into
becoming an involuntary party to such
discrimination. | do not believe that
the general public viii support organ
lied labor In It's efforts to compel the
employer to become its business agent
for such he would become II 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 q great deal Of the burden
Of maintaining the membership of their
organization II the employers could be
compelled to keen ~ this membership
for them. Therefore, In not resisting
the efforts Of the labor agitators to
make them their tools N the work Of
fastening the sSackles Of despotism up
on labor the employers are gravely
lacking In the duty they owe
TO labor In general. The en-
ployer has a legal right TO
employ only union men II he chooses,
and the members OF union have the
legal right to refuse to work with in
dopenient labor. But maintain that
neither the employer nor the members
Of the union have any moral right In
either case 10 discriminate against men
who do not care to belong TO union
organlzat lions. II the union man per-
slst, however, In discriminating against
the Independent iaborer. by refusing TO
work with him, their legal right TO dis
crlminate ends with their refusal to
work. No union has the legal right to
prevent an independent laborer from
working and neither has II tho legal
right 10 compel the employer not TO hire
the Independent workman.
Now II the unions take the position
that there must be discrimination
against Independent labor as the price
luI tue employment VI uilOll ldbolt
then J believe II may become the duty
Of the employers TO discriminate against
union laborers. 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 respects. The |
unions must understand that while men |
have the right to organize any associa- |
ton they see 1T there Is this qualihca- |
ton, that the acts and purposes OF such |
associations shall not be contrary to |
law and the spirit OF American free |
dom, and they must understand that |
those who Join associations which seek |
to discriminate against other men may |
expect In time TO find themselves dis
against"
Frederick H. Matson OF indianapolis, |
spoke against the anti-injunctlon bill. |
Mr.. Matson is the attorney for the ma
tional association and Will address the
house Judiciary committee at Washing
ton against the bill this week.
The constitution adopted at the pre-
liminaIy meeting OF the association az
Chicago Oct, 20 and 30, probably viii
be adopted with few changes. The gen.
pral sentiment Of the delegates Is that
the association should take vigorous
position on the oght--hour bill, and
that the United states senate should y
urged to hear representatives OF en-
nlVara hafnro takinp INV aptlon