The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-24
CONSTITUTION.
Article Name
Article 2-ObjectS.

AILlC4e NODJSCNos
First-To insure. so far as possible, a
permanent condition of peace, prOsperl-
ty and steady employment to the peo-
pie 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 a legal
lawful manne without restraint or IN
reference
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
employment and sell his labor, with
out being obliged to join any particu-
lar church, secret society, labor union
or any other organization, and to sup
port all such persons in their EFFORTS
to resist compulsory methods on the
part OF any organized body Whatso-
Sixth=To promote among employ
ers a spirit of fairness friendship and
desire for the best interests of their
workmen the spirit of industry, thrift,
f-aithfulness to their employers and
good citizenship.
Seventh-To so amalgamate the
public sentiment Of all of the best citi-
zens of Battle Greek, that a guarantee
can be given to the world of a contin-
uance of peaceful conditions, and that
under such guarantee and protection
manufacturers and capitalists can be
induced to locate their business enter
prises in Battle Creek.
Then follow articles relating to
membership, officers, duties, etc, etc,
etc
This constitution has been signed
by the great majority of representa-
tive citizens including our workpeople.
A number of manufacturers from
- ~ : ~LA-. AIAr- hann h0An
suffering 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 I'M
til it has reached a place where abso-
lutte protection can be guaranteed by
the citizens of Battle Greek on the
following broad and evenly alamo
terms which guarantees to the work
man and to the manufactures fair
ness, justice, steady work and regul-
larity of output
The new coming manufacturer
agrees TO maintain the standard rate
of wage paid elsewhere for ike ser
vice, under similar conditions, the rate
to be determined from time to time
from we'll authenticated reports from
competing cities. The tabulated wage
reports issued by the Government De
partment of Commerce and Labor can
also be used to show the standard
rate, and it is expected 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
labor and the employer when he is
ready to buy, nay each have reliable
information as to the market or ruI-
ing price.
The new-coming manufacturer also
agrees to maintain the sanitary and
hNpianTn conditions nrnUiAn6 for hxv
state laws and to refrain from
any lockOutS to reduce wages below
standard; reserving to himself the
right to discharge any employee for
cause.
The Citizens Association on it's part
agrees to furnish in such numbers as
it is possible to obtain, first class
workmen who viii 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
reseTving to himself the right to quit
work for cause, and the Citizens Asso-
citation further pledges its members to
use its associated power to enforce the
contracts between employer and en-
and to act enmas to uphold
the law at all times.
The new industries locating in Bat
tie Greek will not start under any sort
OF 4aDOf union QOInlilatiCn whatsoever.
but viii make individual contracts
with each employee, those contracts
being fair and equitable and guaran-
teed on both sides.
Thus from the abuses of labor
unions and their insane efforts to ruin
everyone who does not "obey'' has
evolved this plan which replaces the
old conditions OF injustice. lockouts,
strikes, violence. loss of money and
property. and general industrial war
fare; and inaugurates an era of per
feet balance and fairness between en-
ployer and employee, a steady contin-
uance of industry and consequent
prosperity. The entire community