The Grit-advocate., 1905-02-03

| perity ana STEADY employment to the
people of Battle Creek.
Second-To energetically assis, 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 legal.
lawful manner without restraint or in
reference.
Fonrth-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-
sist compulsory methods on the part
of any organized body whatsoever
Sixth-To promote among employ.
ers spirit Of fairness. friendship and
desire for the best interests of their
employees. and to promote among work
men the spirit Of industry. thrift. faith.
fulness to their employers and good
/ citizenship
Seventh-To SO amalgamate the
public sentiment of all of the best
citizens of Battle Creek. that a guar
antee can be given to the world Of a
continuance OF peaceful conditions,
and that under such guarantee and
protection manufacturers and capital
lists can be induced to locate their bust
ness 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 representa-
tive citizens, including our workpeo-
pie.
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. pick
| citing. assaults and other interfer
ence. proposed to move. providing
they could be guaranteed protection.
The subject grew in importance un-
til it has reached place where abso-
lutte protection can be guaranteed by
the citizens OF Battle Creek on the
following broad and evenly balanced
terms which guarantees to the work
man and to the manufacturer fair
ness. justice, steady work and regular
ty of output.
The newcoming manufacturer
agrees to maintain the standard rate
| nf al 20
ice. under similar conditions. the rate
to be determined from time 10 time
from we'll authenticated reports from
competing cities. The tabulated wage
reports issued by the Government
Department OF Commerce and Labor
can also be used to show the standard
| rate, and il is expected later Oh 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. may each have reliable
| information as to the market or ruling
price.
The newcoming manufacturer also
agrees to maintain the sanitary and
| hygienic conditions provided for by
the state laws and to refrain from any
iockouts TO reduce wages below the
standard. reserving to himself the
| right to discharge any employe for
cause.
The Citizens Association on its part
agrees to furnish, in such numbers as
| it is possible to obtain. trst-class
workmen who will contract to sell
their labor at the standard price for
snch 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 unionsm. Each workman re-
serving to himself the right to quit
work for cause. and the Citizens AS
sociation further pledges its mem
hers 20 use its associated power TO
enforce the contracts between EN-
ployer and employe. and to act en-
masse to uphold the law at all times.
The new industries locating in Rat.
lie Creek will not start under any sort
OF labor union domination whatso.
ever. but will make individual con
tracts with each employe. those con.
tracts being 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 perfec,
balance and fairness between en-
ployer and employe, a steady continu
ance of indus:ry and consequent pros
perity. The entire community pledged
by public sentiment and private act tc
restore 10 each man his ancient right
TO peace, freedom and the pursuit OF
happiness
Other cities will be driven to protec,