The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1905-02-08
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE
ARTICLE ~2.--oBJECTs.

ARTICLE 2.-oBJECTs
First-To insure, so far as possible,
q permanent condition Of peace, pros
perity and steady employment to the
people Of Battle Greek.
Second-To theoretically assist in
maintaining law and order at all times
and under all conditions.
Third-To protect It's members in
their rights to manage Il cir property
and to dispose of their labor in a legal,
| lawful manner without restraint or in
reference.
Fourth-To insure and permanently
maintain fair, Just treatment, M 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 employers
q 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,
faithfulness to their employers and
good citizenship.
Seventh-To so amalgamate the
public sentiment of all of the best citi-
zens Of Battle Greek, that a guaran-
tee can be given to the world of a con
t%inuance Of peaceful conditions, and
that under such guarantee and protec-
| finn , N Y,fo -, rorc ND .o ,i{n lic4. oon
be induced to locate their business en-
terprises in Battle Creek.
Then follows articles relating to mem
bership. officers, duties, etc., etc., etc.
This constitution has been signed by
the great majority of representative
citizens, including our work people.
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, picket
ing, assaults and other interference,
proposed to move providing they
could be guaranteed protection.
The subject grew in Importance I'M
til il has reached a place where abso~
lutte protection can be guaranteed by
the citizens of Battle Greek on the fol-
lowing broad and evenly balanced
terms which guarantees to the work
man and to the manufactures, fairness,
justice, steady work and regularity of
output.
The new-coming manufacturer
agrees to maintain the standard rate
of wage paid elsewhere for like ser
vice, under similar conditions, the rate
to be determined from time to time
from well authenticated reports from
competing cities. The tabulated wage
reports issued by the Government De-
partment 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 week
ly 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 ~new-coming manufactures also
agrees to maintain the sanitary and
hygienic conditions provided for by the
| State 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 it's part
agrees to furnish, in such numbers as
it is possible to obtain, first-class work
men 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 do any
Of the criminal acts common to labor
unionism. Each workman reserviny
to himself the right to quit work for
cause, and the Citizens Association
further pledges it's members to use it's
associated power to enforce the con-
tracts between employer and employee
and to act Ell masse to uphold the law
at all times.
The new industries locating in Bat
tie Greek will not start under any sort
Of labor union domination whatsoever,
but will make individual contracts
with each employee, those contracts be-
ing 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,
| strib es, violence, loss of money and
property, and general Industrial war
fare; and inaugurates an era of perfect
balance and fairness between employ
er and employee, d steady continuance
OF Industry n consequent prosperity.
The entire community pledged by pub
lie sentiment and private act to restore
to each mar his ancient right to
peace, freedom and the pursuit of
| happiness.