Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-02-02
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE NAME.
ARTICLE G.-OBJECTS.

ARTICLE 2.-OBJECTs
First-To insure, so far as possible,
a permanent condition Of peace, pros
perity and steady employment to the
people of Battle Creek.
Second-TO theoretically assist in
maintaining law and order at all times
and under all conditions.
Third-To protect it's members in
| their rights to manage their property
and to dispose of their labor in legal,
lawful manner 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, 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-
sst compulsory methods on the pat
of any organized body whatsoever.
SiXth-TO promote among employers
spirit Of fairness, friendship and de-
sire for the best interests of their en-
men the spirit Of industry, thrift,
faithfulness to their employers and
good citizenship.
| Seventh-TO so amalgamate the
public sentiment OF all Of the best citi-
zens of Battle Creek, that a guaran-
tee can be given to the world Of a con-
tinuance Of peaceful conditions, and
that under such guarantee and protec-
ton manufacturers and capitalists can
be induced to locate their business en-
terprises in Battle Creek.
Then follows articles relating to mem
bership. officers, duties, etc, ETC., etc.
This constitution has been signed by
the great majority Of representative
citizens, including our work people.
A number Of manufacturers from
other cities, where they have been
suffering all sorts Of indignities, in
convenience and losses from the gen.
eral hell Of labor union strikes, picket
ing, assaults and other interference,
proposed to move, providing they
could be guaranteed protection.
The subject grew in Importance IN
| til it has reached 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 ser
vice, under similar conditions. the rate
1 70 hn or ir1a1 fo
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 week
| ly 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,
| may each have reliable information as
to the market or ruling price.
The neW-cOming manufacturer also
agrees to maintain 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 empioye for
cause.
The Citizens Association on it's part
| agrees to furnish, in such numbers as
it is possible to obtain frst-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
wCrkmen, 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 it's
associated power to enforce the con-
tracts between employer and employee
| and to act en- maSSe to uphold the law
at all times.
! The new industries locating in Bat
tie Creek will not start under any sort
Of labor union domination whatsoever,
but will make individual contracts
with each employee, those contracts be-
ing fair and equitable and guaranteed
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 perfect
balance and fairness between employ
er and employe, a steady continuance
| of Industry and consequent prosperity.
The entire community pledged by pub
| lie sentiment and private act to restore
to each man his ancient right to
peace, freedom and the pursuit of
happiness"