The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-27

coming from the Manufacturing jewelers.
association setting forth some OF the prin-
cples OF the body and purportinG 20
affect the Ieweler OF this community.
The article was brought TO my attention
by members OF the craft and those In
terested I'm the welfare of the workr
asking for an explanation. and take
this means OF showing the real true mean
ing OF the circular 10 which may well
be applied the quotation, "All that gilt
ters IL not gold
IL may be we'll 10 preface my state
ments before 1 so further, by saying
that the jewery workers constitute a
large portion Of the population of the
city, and mp 20 this time their work
has been so arranged that IL has not
been as steady as has Deen the employ
ment OF some other crafts.
Tn jewellers organization proved TO the
world that II was "A conservative body
by the request presented to the en-
ployers I'm 1908 when they asked for
nine-hour day not as a recognition OF
the union. but as a bit OF justice TO that
portion OF humanity making possible the
existence OF the employer and the success
OF his business. Also this was proven by
the fact that the Employers association
was allowed three months to consider
the matter, procure samples and regulate
prices to meet any possible reduction I'm
granted.
As to the circular made public I'm
December through the press calling TO the
attention OF the employer the fact that a
resolution had been adopted by the asso-
cation favoring employees who will regard
the interests or employers independent OF
any outside dictation. and declaring
against the employment OF anyone not
bringing satisfactory recomendati ton
from their last employer, | have this TO
say. that while employees may make a re-
quest Of their employer, what is more
reasonable than that the employees should
have an officer OF their International
Organization act as their representative
at such time? Should each man singly
for better conditions. the best possible
reply would be a discharge from the SER
vice, and from ages gone It has been
strength" Is is the employer who has
taught the employe that this Is the only
sure way of gaining right II IL the
employer who has forced the necessity
upon the employe by considering him only
in the light OF a machine out of which so
much work is 10 be expected with as
little cost as possible. II is the EN-
ployer who has made IL only natural for
the employe 10 be faithful TO himself and
those dependent upon him rather than the
one who hnds i'm him and his ability only
a means of increasing, wealth. II Is the
employe to realize that however just in
his attitude TO the employer he owes. with
more reason. justice To the fellow work
man with whom he is on social terms
rather than the one whom he sees but
rarely and then at a distance in a cold
calculating way.
The circular states also that .the OBJ
tect of the resolution is to first encourage.
promote. and develope and equitaby re-
munerate the best artisan I'm skill and
morale or our Industry Secondly, 10 In
culcate maintain and strengthen n frank
open and broad minded interchange OF
advice among our members.
Under such conditions as are enumer-
ated above what can they expect To en-
courage, promote or develope, except dis
satisfaction among their employees unable
TO change their positions save as may be
convenient to their employers? Is this
not move to check and restrain the
natural desire of each To better himself
az best he can? As 10 equitable re-
muucratiOn, the resolution aims at the
regula tion OF wages az well as the hiring
OF help. The claim is that justice will
thus be done 90 both parties. but the
word has been so twisted and distorted AZ
the years have come and gone that justice
TO one means rank injustice TO the other
word In regard TO the discrimination
against members OF the unions. the manu-
facturers say that n written recomenda-
ton Is not necessary. but advise the use
of your telephone. In their discrtmina-
lion what has become OF that Illusion and
delusion Of employer and the public known
as the individual right Of a man 70 work
for whom he, pleases, whenever and
whore ever he pleases? II we are 70
tako reply Hom the circular II would
seem that the manufacturing teweler has
assumed the right 10 control the rights
OF the individual.
What excuse has the union shop any
wav? I'm the iewelry district Of this city
there Is shop which has employed for
the past rs months none but union men
end has adopted the union label The
employer IS perfectly satisfied with and
never has trouble with his help nor inter
ference with his business. Here the en-
Al. ,l,..I
something morc than mere machine.
ON the other hand hut "a little way fur
ther up the street there is a large build
mg where the union methods do not pre-
vaii and which az certain hours Of the
day resemble a school, not OF the high
school variety but more like n kinder
garten. Tho employer I'm this place is
member and officer I'm the Manufactur-
ers association. and 10 appears the meth
ods Of that body are typifted here.
man entering this place i'm search of work
haze been presented with a paper 10 at
tach his name. saying that he IL not now
q member Of nor will he belong To a labor
organization while IN the employ OF that
firm. And vet II rs said there Is no dis
elimination against the union man.
Does not the statement Of tho circular
be lis itself and prove tho most palpablc
fophistry when II says N aims 20 pro-
mote develop and encourage skill and
morale with tair remunerauun' Whle
the very methods employed are seen at
10 glance 90 be contrary in effect
la the jewelry trade there arc three
classes % employers. the employer who
psyt a fair living wage he who pays bare
~ living wage, and he who openly eN-
picits his employe that his treasury may
he filled the moro quickly. or the first
class ~ employers the workman IN proud
and takes great pleasure I'm working for.
OF the second class the workman has
hopes and patiently waits the time when
flght will triumph I'm his mind. II is the
iast class which. Is the greater and car
ries so much influence that those who
would do otherwise are forced 20 AZ least
consent. against which the workman is
arraved IN the interest ~ humanity.
When the last named class OF employers