The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-17
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE NAME.
2.-oBJFCTs.

First-To insure as far as possible,
permanent condition Of peace, prosperity
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.
Third-To protect its members IN their
rights 70 manage their property and 10
dispose Of their labor in legal. lawful
manner without restraint or interference.
Fourth-To insure and permanently
maintain fair. just treatment, one with
another in all the relations OF life.
tiith-To preserve the existing right
of any capable person TO obtain employ
mcnt and sell his labor. without being
Obliged to Join any particular churon,
secret society, labor union or my other
organization. and to support all such
persons in their efforts to resist compul-
sorry methods on the part OF any organ
lied body whatsoever.
Sixth--To promote among employers
a spirit Of fairness, friendship and desire
for the best interests of their employees,
and to promote among workmen the
spirit OF industry. thrift, falthfuiness 10
their employers and good citizenship.
Seventh-To so amalgamate the public
sentiment of all Of the best citizens OF
Battle Creek, that guarantee can De
given to the world OF continuance OF
peaceful conditions and that under such
guarantee and protection manufacturers
and capitalists can be induced TO locate
their business enterprises in Battle Creek.
Then follows articles relating to mem
bership. officers, duties, etc, etc. etc.
This constitution has been signed by
the great ma jority Of representative clu-
zens including our workpeople.
Anumber OF manufacturers from other
cities. where they have been suffering all
sorts Of indignities, inconvenience and
losses from the general hell OF labor
union strikes, picketing, assaults and
other interference, proposed TO move,
providing they could be guaranteed pro-
lection.
The subject grew in Importance until
il has reached place where absolute
protection can be guaranteed by the
citizens of Battle Creek on the following
broad and evenly balanced terms which
guarantees to the workman and TO the
manufacturer fairness, justice, steady
work and regularity of output.
The newcoming manufacturer agrees
TO maintain the standard rate OF wage
paid elsewhere for like service, under
similar conditions. the rate TO be deter
mined from time to time from well
authenticated reports from competing
cities. The tabulated wage reports ls-
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 Government bureau
will furnish weekly reports of the labor
market from different centres, so that
the workman when he is ready TO sell his
labor and the employer when he is ready
to buy NAV each have reliable lniorma-
ton as TO the market or ruling price.
The newcoming manufacturer also
agrees to maintain the sanitary ana ny
gienic conditions provided Tor by the
State laws and TO refrain from any LOCK
outs 10 reduce wages below the standard
reserving TO himself the right to dis
/ charge any employee for cause.
1he Citizens Association on its part
agrees to furnish. in such numbers as II
Is possible TO obtain. first class workmen
who will contract 10 sell their labor at
, the standard price for such period az may
be fixed upon, agreeing not TO strike,
picket, assault other workmen, destroy
, property. or do any OF the criminal acts
common TO labor unionism. Each work
man reservinR 10 himself the right TO
ouit work for cause. and the Citizens
Association further pledges it's members
to use its associated power TO enforce the
contracts between employer and en-
ployee and to act enmasse TO Uphold the
law at all times.
The new industries locating in Battle
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 everyone
who does not obey has evolved thus
plan which replaces the old conditions
Of injustice, lockouts, strikes. violence.
/ loss of money and property, and gen.
I eral industrial warfare: and inaugurates
an era OF perfect balance and fairness
/ between employer and employee, n
steady continuance of industry and con-
/ sequent prosperity. The entire com
munity pledged by public sentiment and
private act TO restore 10 each man his
ancient right 10 peace, freedom and
the pursuit of happiness.
Other CITIES will be driven 10 protect
their work people, merchants and citi-