1. This association affirms that absolute personal independence of
the individual to work or not to work, to employ or not to employ,
is a fundamental principle which should never be questioned or
assailed; that upon it depends the security of our whole social
fabric and business prosperity, and that employers and workmen
should be equally interested in its defense and preservation.
While upholding this principle as an essential safeguard for all
concerned, this association would appeal to employers in the
building trades to recognize that there are many opportunities for
good in associations of workmen, and while condemning and opposing
improper action upon their part, they should aid and assist them in
all just and honorable purposes; that while upon fundamental
principles it would be useless to confer or arbitrate, there are
still many points upon which conferences and arbitrations are
perfectly right and proper, and that upon such points it is a
manifest duty to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by
associations to confer together to the end that strikes, lockouts,
and other disturbances may be prevented.
When such conferences are entered into, care should be taken to
state clearly in advance that this fundamental principle must be
maintained, and that such conferences should only be competent to
report results in the form of resolutions of recommendation to the
individuals composing the various organizations participating,
avoiding all forms of dictatorial authority.
2. That a uniform system of apprenticeship should be adopted by the
various mechanical trades; that manual training schools should be
established as a part of the public school system; and, that trade
night schools should be organized by the various local trade
organizations for the benefit and improvement of apprentices.
3. This association earnestly recommends all its affiliated
associations to secure, as soon as possible, the adoption of a
system of payment "by the hour" for all labor performed, other than
"piece work" or "salary work," and to obtain the co-operation of
associations of workmen in this just and equitable arrangement.
4. That all blank forms of contracts for buildings should be
uniform throughout the United States. That such forms of contract,
with the conditions thereof, should be such as will give the
builder, as well as the owner, the protection of his rights, such
as justice demands. That whenever a proper form has been approved
by this association, after consultation with the American Institute
of Architects, and the Western Association of Architects, we
recommend its use by every builder and contractor.
5. The legislatures of the various states should be petitioned to
formulate and adopt uniform lien laws and every organization
represented in this association is recommended to use its best
endeavors to secure the passage of the same.
6. Architects and builders should be required to adopt more
effectual safeguards in buildings in process of construction, so as
to lessen the danger of injury to workmen and others.
7. We recommend the adoption of a system of insurance against
injuries by accident to workmen in the employ of builders, wherein
the employer may participate in the payment of premiums for the
benefit of his employes. Also in securing the payment of annuities
to workmen who may become permanently disabled, through injuries
received by accident or the infirmities of old age.
When this declaration was sent out it set the laborer to thinking, and
the public generally to reflecting upon the relation between the
employer and the employe, especially in the building trades.
The first paragraph affirming "that absolute personal independence of
the individual to work or not to work, to employ or not to employ, is a
fundamental principle which should never be questioned or assailed," was
regarded as a declaration of right, justice and liberty that ought to be
universally accepted. And yet it has not been so accepted. It is utterly
rejected in practice, if not in so many words, in almost every case of
strike. In one way or another the strikers prevent others from
exercising that right to work and to employ, or attempt to do so, thus
assuming for themselves superior rights and despotic powers.
While the builders emphatically affirmed the fundamental principle of
right and liberty, they did not condemn associations of workmen. On the
contrary, they recognized the fact that there were "many opportunities
for good" in such associations, and appealed to employers in the
building trades to assist them in all just and honorable purposes. This
was certainly liberal, in view of the fact that labor organizations are
continually used as agencies for interfering with men in the exercise of
their rights.
The convention declared that upon fundamental principles it would be
useless to confer, or arbitrate. The members did not even stoop to
notice the nonsensical notion of compulsory arbitration, or arbitration
under the forms of law, which has found expression in one or two state
laws and in one or two bills that have been introduced in congress, and
which is not arbitration at all. But, while upon fundamental principles
they perceived the uselessness of arbitration, yet they declared that
there were many points upon which conferences and arbitration were
perfectly right and proper, and that upon such points it was a manifest
duty to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by associations to
confer together, to the end that strikes, lockouts, and other
disturbances might be prevented. They did not, however, lose sight of
the fundamental principle first affirmed, but held that the results of
conferences should take the form of resolutions of recommendation, and
that all forms of dictatorial authority should be avoided. They are
evidently willing to meet the men half way when there is really anything
to confer about.
As a whole, the platform of principles upon which the convention planted
itself is unassailable by the most critical objector among the
disturbing element of labor. It was to be hoped that they would be fully
accepted and thoughtfully regarded by the workmen in the building
trades.
But, such was not, generally, the case. The leading element in the labor
organizations has cultivated an antagonistic spirit that rebels against
every proposition or suggestion from any association that is not in
strict accord with their own distorted views. This element watched the
National Association of Builders very closely, and to them the fact that
the constitution and the declaration of principles were eminently just
and fair to the workingman, was the greater reason why they should
exercise toward the whole a spirit of bitter antagonism. Otherwise, that
element of labor which permits others to do their thinking, could not be
moulded in the hand of the leader whose leadership depends upon the
ability to make every act of the employer to appear in a hideous light.
The fairness of the convention, and the justness of the principles
enunciated, stimulated the leaders to renewed efforts to widen the
breach between the employes and the employers in the building trades.
They saw that unless the rebellious, revengeful spirit was nurtured, the
thinking better, more reasonable element, might break away and follow
the "master." New demands were made upon the employer with a full
knowledge that they would not be acceded to, for the purpose of
precipitating a general strike, and it came.