The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-12-13
DECLARE
!. OPEN SHOP
? POLICY
Fargo and Moorhead Builders
Council Issues a
Declaration
WALKOUT IS THREATENED
Both Sides Declare They Will
!. Fight the Matter to a
. Finish ,@ III.
= i II = ~ O. D.
'WALKOUT IS THREATENED

\ The following statement was given
to The Forum today by the publicity
committee OF the Fargo and Moorhead
Master Builders council: .a.r~. t..r.7.'
/ On and after Dec. Is. 1913. the fol-
lowing members of the Fargo and
(Moorhead Master Builders council will
operate their different fines of busi-
ness on an open shop basis, giving en-
ployment to non union and union men
alike, with compensation to each man
in proportion to the skill exercised and
labor performed.
The employers reserve the right to
use such material as they see fit and
to prescribe working rules as they
deem best.
/ Any employe desiring to remain
With his present employer may do so
on the above conditions.
/. General Contractors-Geo. e. Ander-
son, Bowers Bros, P. D. Bart, J. J..
Benning, Adolph J, Fridlund, johnson
Merritt, M. J. Moen, T. F. Powers &
Co, John Schlanser Co., B. F. Tube
ding, Al Tubesing, Stewart Wilson,
Walgren & Edlund.
Painters and Decorators-J. c. Dur
kee, Fred Johnson Co., North Dakota
Decorating Co.., Andrew Nelson, J. M.
Speer.
Plumbing, steamhtting and Elec-
trical Contractors-Cham & Nan
Joseph Keller, McDermott & Green
shields, Ed. Madison, Moorhead
Plumbing & Heating Co, Carl Nor
man, r. P. Riley, Chris Schill.
/ Galvanized Iron and Cornice Con-
tractors-Bland & Bland, Fargo Cor
nice & Ornament Co., Klinsman Co.,
Moorhead Hardware Co., M. r. ONeill
Co., Remly & Olson.
Attitude of Employers.
Several hundred men employed by
the companies whose signatures are
affixed to the above proclamation will
find a copy of the proclamation in
their pay envelopes tonight. The at
titude Of the contractors is therein
amply set forth.
They state that they are not ;averse
to the principle of unionism, but that
they desire to run their own business
in their own way. 1t Is confidently
asserted that sufficient number of
nom union men can be obtained to
take the place. of union men in case
the latter go out.
Same Experience as Other Cities.
"The same question, the open shop
policy, has been fought to a finish in
other Cities" said one employer today,
"and as "a result the open shop policy
is the rule in many of those cities,
Minneapolis among them. In those
places union men work side by side
with non-union men. We will make
no discriminationagain union men but
will allow as many of our present en-
ployes to continue work as desire to
remain. Our present action is taken
simply because we want to conduct
Il
carry the thing to the courts IL neces-
sary to establish the open shop prin-
ciple in this city"
Opinion of Labor Leader.
IF these proclamations are found in
the pay envelopes tonight 1t means
that every man who receives them
will not return to work Monday" said
w. R. Lee, business agent for the
Plumbers local. The men cannot and
will not work side by side with nom
union men, and the declaration Of the
contractors amounts to a lockout
We are well prepared to handle the
al organization. with plenty of funds,
back of us. We are not making pub
lie the exact nature of our plans at
this time, but We have made arrange
mentsA to take jobs of work on our
own hook, and we can underbid the
contractors Ii necessary.
A meeting of the executive commit
tee of the Fargo Building Trades
council held a meeting last night at
which plans for the impending trouble
We're thoroughly discussed. IN
District President in City.
r.. e. Perrin, president of District
Council 6-2 Interna tional brotherhood
.of Electrical Workers, lis In the city
today. and isssizii1g up the situation.