The Tupelo journal., 1905-02-03
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE 2.-oEJECTS.


Ifrst-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 in
maintaining law and order at all times
and under all conditions.
1'hird-To protect its members in
their rights to manage their property
anil to dispose of their labor in le-
gal, lawful manner without restraint
or interference.
lIourth-To insure and permanently
maintain fair. just treatment, one with
another in all the relations of life.
Effth-To preserve the existing right
of any capable person to obtain en-
plcyment and sell his labor. without
being obliged to join any particular
church, secret society, labor union or
am other organization, and to support
all such persons in their efforts 10 re-
sist compulsory methods on the part
of any organized body whatsoever.
S,iXth-To promote among employers
a spirit of fairness, friendship and de-
sire for the best interests of their en-
plCyes, and to promote among work
men the spirit of industry, thrift, faith
funess to their employers and good
citizenship.
sieventh-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
mem bership, officers, duties, etc, etc,
etr.
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 SUI
fecing 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 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 of the labor market from differ
| ent 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
| tie market or ruling price.
The new-coming manufacturer also
agrees to maintain the sanitary and
| hygienic laws and to refrain from any
| lockouts to reduce wages below the
standard; reserving to himself the
right to discharge any employee for
cause.
/
The Citizens Association on its part
aarees to furnish, in such numbers az
| it is possible to obtain, first-class
| warkmen 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
| dc any of the criminal acts common
| to labor unionism. Each workman re-
| SCI wing to himself the right to, quit
w:rk for cause, and the Citizens Asso-
| iation further pledges its members to
use its associated power to enforce the
contracts between employer and en-
| pItyee 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
fais and equitable and guaranteed or
| 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 con
ditions of injustice. lockouts, strikes
violence, loss of money and property
and general industrial warfare; anG
inangurates an era of perfect balance
and fairness between employer an6
employee, a steady continuance of in
dustry and consequent prosperity. The
entire community pledged by public
sentiment and private act to restore tt
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