Arizona republican., 1917-04-29
UN|ON DEMAND
 REJECTED AND
 BU|LDER5FORM

Practically all of the building con- tractors of this county have met and organized the Contractors Association of Phoenix. The purpose of the organ izatiOn is to cooperate and work as @ unit in dealing with the new situa- tlOn which threatens Phoenix
 Some of the contractors were noti- fled about a month ago by the Phoenix Building Trades council that on and af- ter April 29 all building contractors would be required to install the uni versal card system, which means that they would be required to employ in every line of work exclusively men who carry labor union cards. The order was not to affect buildings that were al- ready under construction, but to apply only to all future contracts.
 There was a conference between the building contractors and the delegation for the Trades Council. After it was discovered that a satisfactory compro- mise could not be reached, the contrac- tors decided to form an association to which they promised not to accede to the universal rate card demand and not to be forced to run exclusively closed work. The contractors declare that no discrimination will be made against union men providing the coun- cil does not call a strike. It is not meant to lower wages but to be free to employ either union or non-union labor as they see fit.
 Following the organization the fol- lowing declaration of principles was adopted by them and the Merchants and Manufacturers Association issued an endorsement of their action which also follows:
 Declaration Of Principles by the Build
 ing Contractors of Arizona
 We, The following building contrac- tors of the City of Phoenix. agree to organize an association to be called the Contractors Association of Arizo- ma. Special objects and aims of this association are:
 First: To foster and protect the bus mess interests of the community in general, and the members of this asso- ] citation in particular No discrimina- ! tion shall be made against any man because of his membership or non- membership in any association or or ganization.
 Second: To secure for employers and | employees freedom of contract in the 1 matters of employment, irrespective whether or not an employer or em- ploye is member of any organiza- tion. with the privilege of terminating their relation when either sees fit to do so.
 Third: To prevent any interference | with persons seeking work and earn ing living.
 Fourth: The question of the compe- tency of the men and the number of fOremen, apprentices. helpers handy men, etc. to be employed, will be de- 1 termined solely by the employer. Fifth. To oppose restriction of out i put. sympathetic strikes and boycotts which are a menace to the industrial ] progress of any city. 1 Sixth: Sro avert industrial disturb ances; to harmOnize differences be- ! tween employer and employe so that 1 justice may he done to both sides. | Seventh: We favor a good living wage for the American workman. to- 1 gether with favorable working hours | and safe and sanitary conditions: and 1 this association will not cnurtapar"a i any conditions which are not just nor i which will not allow a workman to | earn a wage proportionate to his pro- i ductivn capacity.
 Eighth: This associa tion stands for l the right of the employer to run his 1 own business. It is unalterably op- posed to the Universal card system ! that labor organizations are endeavor- | ing to install in Phoenix al this time, Ninth: If any matters of importance 1 are brought to the attention of the association, every member will be given three days notice of such meet l ing. and a decision upon any matter by 1 majority of those present will be bind- ing upon all members of the Associ- ation.
 Tenth: Each individual contractor in 1 signing this declaration of principles, ! hereby solemnly agrees to remain a loyal member of this association for one year from date hereof. Dated at Phoenix, Arizona, this 26th day of April, 1917.
 (Signed) HOME BUILDERS.
 By R. H. Greene. President
 HARVEY F. PATTON
 DANIEL HABECKER
 ". H. JONES | T. B. STEWART
 T. D. WEATHERFORD
 NJ. FULL
 C. EAGAN
 CLINTON CAMPBELL
 s. A. METTEN
 W. J. RAU H. w RYDER
 W. H. SMELL
 B. E. PRINCE,
 Mgr. Phoenix Flaming Mill
 J. l. BROOKS
 F. E. MITCHELL
 Phoenix, April 27, 1917 To the Building Contractors of Ari-
 zona:
 At a special meeting of the Board ol Governors of the Merchants and Man. ufacturers' Association called today fol the purpose of considering the matter nf the sIrniNnrSal Card S1rctarnn :, uritl