The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1905-03-11
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CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE NAME.
ARTICLE 2.-oEJFrTs.

ARTICLE z.-oEJECTS.
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 energetically assist ir
maintaining law and order at all times
and under all conditions.
Third-To protect its members il
their rights to manage their property
and 10 dispose of their labor in lie,
gal, lawful manner without restraint
or interference.
Folrth-To insure and permanently
maintain fair, just treatment, one with
another in all the relations Of life.
Fifrh-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 OF
any other organization, and to support
all such persons in their efforts to re
sist compulsory methods on the part
Of airy organized body whatsoever.
Sizth-To promote among employers
spirit of fairness, friendship and de
sire for the best interests of their en-
ployes, and to promote among work.
men the spirit of industry, thrift. faith.
fulness to their employers, and good
citizenship.
Seyenth-To so ama1gamate the pub
lie sentiment of all of the best citizens
of Battle Creek that a guarantee can
no To he ofr
of peaceful conditions. and that under
such guarantee and protection manu-
factufers 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, ineon-
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 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 de-
termined from time to time from well
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 expected later on that this govern
ment bureau will furnish weekly re-
ports CT the labor market from differ
ent ceuters, 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
hygiene laws and to refrain from any
loekouts to reduce wages below the
standard; reserying to himself the
right 10 discharge any employee for
cause.
The Citizens Association on its part
agrees to furnish, in such numbers as
it is Irossible to obtain, first-elass
workman 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 Torkmen. destroy property, or
do any of the criminal acts common
to labor unionism Each workman re-
serving to himself the right to quit
work far cause, and the Citizens Asso-
citation further pledges its members to
use its associated power to enforce the
contracts between employer and en-
pIoyee and to act enmasse 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 being
fair and equitable and guaranteed on
both sides.
Thus from the abuses of labor unions
and their insane efforts to ruin every
one woo does not obey has evolved
this plan which replaces the old con-
ditions of injustice, loekouts, strikes,
violence, loss of money and property,
and general Industrial warfare; and
inaugurates an era Of perfect balance
and fairness between employer and
employee. a steady continuance Of in
dustry and consequent prosperity. The
entire community pledged by public
sentin ent 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 protect
their work people, merchants and citi-