June 1st. The executive committee of the Master Masons' association
issued an address to their former employes, as follows:
TO THE BRICKLAYERS AND STONEMASONS OF CHICAGO--_Gentlemen_: To
those of you who have families to support; who, by frugal saving,
have laid by a store for rainy days; who, perhaps, have invested
surplus earnings in a house and lot or made partial payments on a
piece of land for a future homestead, and thereby have acquired an
interest in Chicago--to you we speak.
To those of you who have joined the now existing union under
compulsion, and are to-day afraid of personal injury, should you in
any way assert your independence; to those of you who feel the
abuses practiced, who are not in accord with the ruling clique, who
have informed us time and again that you are not granted a hearing
when your opinion is not in harmony with that of "the gang," and
that you consequently do not attend the meeting of said "union"--to
you we appeal.
To those of you who believe in arbitration as a better mode of
redressing grievances or adjusting differences than the strike or
lockout; to those of you who are old enough to remember that the
members of our organization have all been journeymen bricklayers
and stonemasons, that there are none among us who may not be
compelled to take up tools again, nor any among you who may not at
any time become employers, and that, consequently, there are no
questions concerning one branch which are not of interest to the
other--to you we address ourselves.
This association, together with other associations of builders, has
issued a platform affirming our adherence to the fundamental
principle of individual liberty. Read it, discuss it, digest it. It
is right. It is guaranteed by the constitution of the United
States, and he who denies the rights of man is not an American
citizen, and by his denial affirms that he does not intend to
become such, although he may have gone through the form of
acquiring citizenship.
We are not opposed to all unions.
In the second paragraph of our platform we recognize the right of
organization among workmen for all just and honorable purposes. But
we are opposed to the methods employed by the present union. Brute
force is used in all directions to compel fellow-workmen to join
and keep them in line in support of any action taken, no matter how
unreasonable; to enforce the assumed control of the business of
employers; to arbitrarily keep boys from learning the trade; to
deny the right of mechanics to support their families by working at
their trade in this city, etc. In all directions brute force is the
foundation of the present union. This is wrong. Brute force can
only be opposed by brute force, the strike on the one hand opposed
by the lockout on the other, resulting in loss and suffering to
both, and without any permanent results, for no matter which side
is successful, the only thing proven is that it had the strongest
organization, not that its position is right. Strikes and lockouts,
with all the train of resulting evils, can only be prevented by
organizations among both workmen and employers, both recognizing
the same fundamental principles and agreeing to refer any question
of temporary policy, such as the amount of wages to be paid, number
of hours to be worked, pay-day, and others, or any grievances or
differences arising in the future, to a joint committee of
arbitration--work to continue without interruption, and questions
at issue to be decided definitely by the committee.
The "walking delegate" has proved himself an unmitigated nuisance.
To give into the hands of one man power so absolute will always be
dangerous and sure to be abused. Nor will the necessity exist for a
"walking delegate." His place will be filled by the arbitration
committee. That the laws of the state shall prevail in regard to
apprentices, as well as on other subjects by them covered, needs no
argument.
All must recognize that foremen are hired to be the agents and
representatives of the employer for the faithful and economic
performance of the work, and, as such, should be under his
exclusive control.
Of "stewards" we not treat here. Acting for an organization which
acknowledges as right and just the principles contained in our
platform, their duties can not interfere with the proper
prosecution of the work.
To sum up, form a union on the same platform we uphold and men will
join it because of the benefits to be derived--brute force will not
be necessary in any direction,--and whenever one hundred, yes,
fifty, members shall have enrolled themselves we will gladly
recognize it and appoint members to serve on a joint committee of
arbitration to have charge of all matters of mutual interests.
We mean what we say.
Fault has been found with the "working rules" adopted. These will
be subject to joint discussion and adjustment when a joint
committee of arbitration shall be in existence. Until then we have
agreed to nine hours as a working day, because that is the rule
adopted by other large cities, and Chicago should not be at a
disadvantage as a point for investment in comparison with them. We
believe the Saturday half-holiday has come to stay with us as one
of the recognized institutions of the country, and we have adopted
it freely and voluntarily. By agreeing to 45 cents per hour as a
minimum rate of wages we trust to have proved that we do not
desire to lower rates. A regular fortnightly pay-day has been
guaranteed.
These are our conditions. Discuss them as to their fairness, and if
you find them just come to work, and we shall be glad to employ you
as far as still in our power, for it is true that each day of
continued strike does lessen the chance for a busy season.
The situation in brief is as follows: The general public recognizes
the present necessity of coming to a fair understanding between
employer and workman--and thereby laying the foundation for future
harmonious action--by refusing to build under present
circumstances. Some work must be done, no matter what the
conditions. But there is not one-fourth of the work on hand now
there was last year at this time.
For its future growth and prosperity Chicago needs manufacturing
enterprises. In the selection of a site for such people with money
to invest look for security from violent and arbitrary interruption
to their business. Abolish the "walking delegates;" show that you
have profited by the lessons of the past, and establish
arbitration; lay the foundation for peace and harmony between
employer and workmen, and Chicago will be the place selected;
business, now dull and dragging, will revive, and steady employment
will reward both you and us for sense and moderation shown.
Fraternally yours,
THE CHICAGO MASTER MASONS' ASSOCIATION.
By Executive Committee.