64 SEVENTEENTH REPORT. 



true that they exercise the right of referendum on all rules and 

 this power probably has some iuUuence on the nature of the rules. 

 On the other hand, the men generally do not know the rules nor 

 understand them. (*102-9.) Probably the only interpretations the 

 men get of the rules are made in the meetings of the union. Seldom 

 do the men hear the discussions of the rules on the job. If a dis- 

 pute arises it will be settled between the officers of the two organi- 

 zations and not in the presence of the men. Furthermore, the men 

 regard the rules as legislation which should be obeye<l. The journey- 

 men usually do as the}' are told and seldom exercise the power of 

 the referendum. The rules are drawu up by the executive council,, 

 and interpreted by the Arbitration Board and Business Agents. 

 When the Stewards are obliged to interpret them "they always 

 attempt to do so in accordance with the established precedent of 

 the business agent." (*169.) These methods of legislation and 

 administration are the results of experience and custom. The 

 product is a practical set of working rules. 



Two factors operate strongly' in determining the rules for the- 

 union; namely, the contractors and custom. Such rules as prohibit 

 contractors from using tools on the job, and oblige the men to work 

 with non-union men of other trades, are admittedly forced u])on 

 them by the contractors, as the established pay day on Tuesday is 

 largely for the contractors' convenience. (*38-39; 4348; G7-73; 

 76-78.) "The contractors demanded this or that," is a common form 

 of expression with the men. One leader said, with respect to the 

 rule obliging them to Avork with non-union men of other trades, 

 that "the employers demanded this rule." (*68.) Another leader, 

 speaking of the same rule, said, "This was put in the agreement in 

 1901 after the year's lockout in the building trades upon the request 

 of the contractors. The union don't like it, but can not get it out.'^ 

 (*69.) Relatively few rules are, however, so distinctly forced upon 

 the union. 



The influence of custom is not so easily detected. The bearing of 

 the standard of living upon wages and that of wage scales of other 

 unions, have their foundation in the influence of custom. The car- 

 penters seem to have an idea of this factor but consider it inevitable 

 One journeyman said, " The men do not object to miniature saw 

 mills on the job . . because it has always been the custom." (*15G.) 

 A prominent leader said, "Whenever a boss tries to employ non- 

 union men of other trades to set up a precedent, the carpenters 

 are called off the job. The other trades do the same." (*69.) Satis- 

 faction with the conditions established by the force of custom makes 

 it necessary' not only to overcome the opposition of those injured 



