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IXDTAXA rXITEESITY 



significant: as one producer put it. "when times are good we 

 don't need any association to inaintaiji prices, and when times 

 are bad a vohmtary association can't keep the members in line.'' 

 For here, as in many other industries, fixed charges are an impor- 

 tant item, and. especially in a business vrhich normally pays good 

 profits, men will cut prices in order to get trade which will help 

 them meet their fixed charges. 



About 1902 another attempt to form an emj^loyers' association 

 was made, with similar results. For a time the association 

 seemed to prosper, but price agreements were not strictly main- 

 tained and the organization was soon given up. 



Under pressure of the Bedford strike of 1903 the producers 

 of that region formed the most successful employers' combina- 

 tion that the oolitic industry has yet known. This association 

 took an active part in the adjustment of the difficulties which led 

 to the strike, and has since maintained its activity in general price 

 regulation and in the making of luaiform credit regulations. Its 

 most effective work seems to have been done in preventing, 

 chiefly through its maximum wage scale, the frequent shifting of 

 workmen from one employer to another. The relative success of 

 this organization would seem to demonstrate the necessity of 

 outside pressure to secure uniformity of action by the members 

 of such an association. 



During the winter of 1901-1905 the ^Monroe County Stone 

 Club was organized, composed of almost all the producers in the 

 county. The formation of such an association seems to have 

 been facilitated by the strike in the Bedford field in the preced- 

 ing year. The objects of the club are thus stated in the second 

 article of its constitution: ''The mutual benefit of its members 

 by eliminating from the trade poor-paying customers : by main- 

 taining a fair price for the product of the quarries, mills and 

 yards: by taking proper steps to regulate measurements: by 

 preventing any discrimination or restriction against the use or 

 transportation of Indiana oolitic stone Trough, sawed, planed, 

 turned or cut) : and by the adoption of such rules and regula- 

 tions as shall from time to time seem necessary- for the proper 

 conduct of the quarrying, milling and cutting business : to pro- 

 tect its members in their right to manage their respective busi- 

 nesses in such a manner as they may deem proper : to adopt a 

 uniform system whereby members may ascertain who is and who 

 is not worthy of their employment : to investigate and adjust 



