Tuesday evening, May 17th, the Master Masons' association met and
unanimously adopted the following platform of principles:
Your committee does respectfully report in favor of the
reaffirmation of the following planks from the platform of the
National Association of Builders as fundamental principles upon
which must be based any and all efforts at settlement of the now
existing lockout in building trades:
We affirm 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.
We recognize that there are many opportunities for good in
associations of workmen, and, while condemning and opposing
improper action upon their part, we will 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 on which conference 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; or, in other language, that "the walking delegate
must go;" that the laws of the state shall prevail in regard to
apprentices and not the dictates of labor organizations; that
"stewards" in control of the men employed at buildings will not be
recognized, and that "foremen," as the agents of employers, shall
not be under the control of the union while serving in that
capacity.
We report in favor of the above, and believe that no time should be
wasted now in the discussion of details which can readily be
adjusted by arbitration when an association of workmen shall be in
existence which acknowledges the justice of the above principles.
With such association, questions of detail or policy, such as
minimum rate of wages to be paid, the hours of work per day, or any
complaints or grievances now existing or hereafter arising, can
readily be settled by a joint committee of arbitration, and we hold
ourselves ready and willing to do so.
The need of the day is a firm stand upon the question at
issue--namely, the constitution-guaranteed rights of the
individual.
In our efforts to maintain these we have received the unanimous and
hearty co-operation of the community, and we are sure of its
continued support. All other questions are trivial in comparison,
and the consideration thereof may well be postponed. And in this
connection we take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of
sympathy and co-operation of the architects of this city, the
active support of the manufacturers of and dealers in building
materials, the uniform and readily-granted assistance of the
building public and the many letters of sympathy with the cause
received from people entirely disconnected with building interests,
who feel with us that it is the duty of the American people to
oppose this form of tyranny and crush it out now and forever.
It is time, indeed, that the men in charge of unions should learn
that they are not fighting this association, but run counter to the
sentiments of the entire people and the institutions of this free
country.
They must learn to distinguish between liberty and license, between
right and wrong. All who aid in this work deserve well by their
country.
In conclusion, we recommend the appointment of a committee of three
by the president to represent this association at a conference to
be held by representatives of all building trades at the Builders'
Exchange to-morrow, and until the present lockout is finally
settled.
GEORGE C. PRUSSING,
GEORGE TAPPER,
GEORGE H. FOX,
Committee.
When that portion was read stating that the "walking delegate must go"
there was loud applause, and every section of the platform was cheered.