MICHIGAN ACADEMY OP SCIENCE. 53 



etiieieut means to an end, namely, high wages, and good conditions, 

 and for that reason their contracts are respected as a matter of 

 security to future contracts. But they also regard the end as more 

 important than the means. Violation of a contractual obligation 

 results therefore when the contract fails to cover what they con- 

 sider absolutely essential conditions. While they probably would 

 not frecpiently break their contract with the employer of non- 

 union men, in the other trades, yet they probably would if the non- 

 union men were employed without reason, or if such employment 

 would tend to establish the open shop in the building trades. (*G1).) 



Chapter IV. 



It is the purpose of this chapter to present the workmen's in- 

 terpretation of their rules. The order of treatment given in chapter 

 two will be followed, namely; their interpretations of demands, 

 methods, and policies. 



The demand for i-ecognition of the union is first in importance 

 and is based u})on the desire for control. The carpenters always 

 assumed the necessity for the recognition of the union before any 

 eti'ective union action was taken; They are certain that none of the 

 rules can be enforced without such recognition. Approximately 

 80 per cent of union strikes are for recognition of the union. As 

 one journeynuui expressed it, "the union men could never accomplish 

 anything without recognition." 1*07.) Or expressed in another 

 way, "the union can be successful only as it controls the situation 

 and is represented and recognized on the job." (*t)7.) 



The demand for the union shop is closely allied with the recogni- 

 tion of the union. It is maintained as a result of that recognition. 

 The union shop gives the journeyman the advantage of craft asso- 

 ciation. KnoAvledge of the trade is given new members and there 

 are many social advantages for the families which could not other- 

 wise be had. The journeymen look upon the work in the trade as 

 their work. As the secretary of one of the unions expressed it, 

 ''certain rough Avork . . . ^ could and would be done by unskilled 

 workmen at half the price if allowed by the union. This is a part 

 of the carpenters work which should be done by them. If it were 

 not just that many more carpenters would be out of work." (*()42. ) 



The social and trade distinction of union men and the main- 

 tenance of trade secrets and knowledge are additional defences of 

 the demand for the union shop. The carpenter's journal, 'The 

 Carpenter," (Vol. 33, No. 3, p. 7,) expresses this defence. To 

 quote from that journal, "no one who prides himself as possessing 

 able knowledge and experience, desires to work alongside of an un- 



