The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-17
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE NAME.
APTJCTE 2-ORJECTS

CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE -1.-NAME.
ARTICLE 2.-OBJECTS.
permanent condition of peace, pros
perity and steady employment to the
people of Battle Creek.
Second To energetically assist in
maintaining law and order at all times
and under all conditions.
Third - To protect its members in
their rights to manage their property
and to dispose of their labor in legal,
lawful manner without restraint or in
reference. .F @4ot1o4s
Fourth To insure and permanently
maintain fair, just treatment, one with
another in all the relations of life.
Fifth-To preserve the existing right
of any capable person to obtain en-
ployment and sell his labor, without
being obliged to join any particular
church, secret society, labor union or
any other organization, and to support
all such persons in their efforts to re-
sist compulsory methods on the part of
any organized body whatsoever.
Sixth-To promote among employers
spirit of fairness, friendship and de-
sire for the best interests Of their en-
ployes, and to promote among workmen
the spirit Of industry, thrift, faithful
ness to their employers and good citl-
zenship.
Seventh-To SO amalgamate the pub
lie sentiment of all of the best citizens
of Battle Creek, that a guarantee can
be given to the world OF a continuance
of peaceful conditions, and that under
such guarantee and protection manu-
facturers and capitalists can be induced
to locate their business enterprises in
Battle Creek.
Then follows articles relating to
membership, officers, duties, ETC.. ETC.,
etc.
This constitution has been signed by
the great majority of representative
citizens, including our workpeople.
A number of manufacturers from
other cities, where they have been suf-
fering all sorts of indignities, incon-
venience and losses from the general
hell of labor union strikes, picketing,
assaults and other interference, pro-
posed to move, providing they could be
guaranteed protection.
The subject grew in Importance un-
til it has reached a place where abso-
lutte protection can be guaranteed by
the citizens of Battle Creek on the fol-
lowing broad and evenly balanced
terms which guarantees to the work.
man and to the manufacturer fairness,
justice, steady work and regularity of
output.
The new-coming manufacturer agrees
to maintain the standard rate of wage
paid elsewhere for like service, under
similar conditions, the rate to be deter
mined from time to time from we'll
authenticated reports from competing
cities. The tabulated wage reports is
sued by the Government Department of
Commerce and Labor can also be used
to show the standard rate, and it is ex-
pected later on that this government
bureau will furnish weekly reports of
the labor market from different centers,
so that the workman when he is ready
to SELL his labqr,S and the employer
when he is ready to buy; may each
have reliable information as to the
market or ruling price.
The new coming manufacturer also
agrees to 1naiIftain the sanitary and
hygienic conditions provided for by the
state laws and, to refrain from any
lockouts to reduce wages below the
standard: reserving to himself the
right to discharge any employe for
cause go
The Citizens Association on its part
agrees to furnish, in such numbers as
it is possible to obtain, .first-class work
men who will contract to sell their
labor at the standard price for such
period as may be fixed upon, agreeing
not to strike, picket, assault other
workmen, destroy property, or do any
of the criminal acts common to labor
unionism. Each workman reserving to
himself the right to quit work for
cause. and the Citizens Association
further pledges its members to use its
associated power to enforce the con-
tracts between employer and employe,
and to act en- masse to uphold the law
at all times.
The new industries locating in Battle
Creek will not start under any sort of
labor union domination whatsoever, but
viii make individual contracts with
each enploye. those contracts being
fair and equitable, and guaranteed on
both Sides
Thus, from the abuses OF labor unions
and their insane efforts to ruin every
one who does not "obey," has evolved
this plan which replaces the old condi-
tions Of injustice, lockouts, strikes, yio-
lence, loss of money and property, and
general industrial warfare; and in
augurates an era of perfect balance and
fairness between employer and en-
ploya, a steady continuance OF industry
and consequent prosperity. The entire
community pledged by public sentiment
and private act to restore to each man
his ancient right to peace, freedom
and the pursuit of happiness"
Other cities will be driven to nrotect