Appeal To The Carpenters Of Ann Arbor

Did you ever stop to think about the low condition to which your trade has fallen ? If not, stop and think now. How many years have you spent at hard labor ? How many dollars have you spent for tools? How do your wages compare with the wages of other tradesmen that require far less skill ? How much money are you laying up for a rainy day or oíd age? When spring comes, how much better off are you than the spring previous? You are often told to be more saving. Those that think so should be put in your place. A trial of this kind would convince them that they are very much mistaken. Your trade has been sinking lower and lower year after year, sinking so gradually that you have not realized it. Will you never awaken to your condition, or will you go on in the same oíd rut until death? See the buildings you have erected in Ann Arbor that will stand as monuments to your memory years after you have been laid to rest. It is well said : "They who build palaces should not live in hovels;" nd yet you make no move to better our condition. Should not a carpenter be indejendent, for does he not spend ïore time and money in learning lis trade than many of the gradutes of our great University? Why not join in and help the men that re working for your interests as well as their own, men that consider t a duty to help their brotherworkmen to be better mechanics, and to etter their condition morally, menally and physically? Why do you alk against an organization you cnow nothing about? Why will you uphold the good works of many other organizations, and then turn against the one that is organized for the sole benefit of the carpenters ? Why not find out the objects of this Brotherhood before you condemn t? A few of the many objects are o rescue our trade from the low evel to which it has fallen, to encourage a higher standard of skill, to cultívate feelings of friendship among the men of the craft, to assist each other to secure employment, and to reduce the hours of daily labor. Union 85 gives a cordial invitation to all who can comply with tne requirements of the Brotherhood to become one of us. Yours fraternally, President of Union 85.