The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-21

A Custom that is under Discus-ion In . nc
seveient Trade Organization.


A heated discussion is going on among the
members Of the Practical German Bakers
Benevolent Society OF this city over resolution
to change the constitution. introduced ut "a
quarterly meeting held in the society's hall. at
1927 Bowcry. on saturday Tho measure was
voted down nv the decisive majority Of 60 to 20.
II was temporary victory for the old men OF
the society against an innovation supported by
the young men. led by President Robert Dun
lap. foreman of tho baking department of Pur-
cells establishment in Broadway. II was the
custom twenty years ago. when n member of
any trade society died, for the remaining Nom
bcrs to hire brass band with which ~ attend
the funeral. 1t was usually prescribed that
the number of pieces must not be- less
than thirteen. This band was to
20 to the hail OF the society es-
cort the members to the house Of the dcad
member and remain on the sidewalk until all
the members had entered the house in single
file and passed around the coffin 10 view the
remains Then the procession would be re-
formed. and the march be resumed to the ferry.
where the line would separate to allow the
hcarse 10 pass through II. committee OF
four, |ho had previously been appointed,
would leave their companions to accompany
the remains to the cemetery. and then the band
would lead the way back to the place OF meet
ing. Practical JOurncyman Baker told th"
reporter that his society was the only trade
the custom. Tho only other English speaking
societies OF bakcrs, the Grand Order of Ac-
Union Union had each dispcnsed Win WHIT It. Five years
ago James Hanna gilvc notice that he would
Introduce resolution at the next quarterly
meeting TO abolish the band system and 10 give
the money saved in this way To the widows.
The feeling was strong in the society in
favor OF the custom that the resolution was
never pressed.
In the meeting on Saturday James McDevitt.
the financial secretary. who works in the Roman
n pts
with previous notice, that those parts of the
constitution authorizing the employment Of a
band OF music be- repealed. and that an article
be added as follows
sfcrios In case Of the death Of brother member
sEc , when death occurs. all the remaining mem
''ss na In be faxed 80 '9s a. @@ ",'S M
President with the other Officers OF the society shall
committee Ia be exempt from the nottat, tax
This was supported by Robert sillery. 80
years old. who works for the National Bak ding
Company: Thomas Nixon. % years old, who
works IN Hills bakery, and others of the young
men. Its active opponents were John Perrin
was Nics-presdent Of the society at the time Of
its organization. twenty years ago: John
McCready. 90 years old Patrick Bale, 90 years
Old. and others.
President Dunlap explained to n reporter for
| THE sun that according to the system that the
ccives $50 and the entire outlay Of the society
on the death OF a member Is MS follows
Mirw ............ g." Incidental expenses ... -
Hd,eru'lns ....... 3 Total ........ $40
He said 1t was hard to understand the arsu-
mcnts of thos, in favor ~ retaining the bands.
! hut they could not be- shaken IN their op.ni on.
! Tney had the majority because they had on
! their side the old men. who occupied r'~pOnsi-
/ bic positions IN bakeries. ant many oi the
] young men VINO Workcd with them ielt Obliged
/ Ia vote As they did He sad that the average
| was ~ l"urnrymnn buecr WIS about ~ a
/ day. and i wis strange that they should be will
/ iin-. To- pay musicians "a or 20 apiece" Tor two
| Patrick MvrcS was found attending an oven
| in BaSkcrviil's bakery on Grernwtch street
liz said: Our rtH- ms icrst. kim. TO the brass
/ band system are am enough. In the first
! place W. want that r,sp,t SHOWN To- Us when
We are dead. That - the litrt and man reason.
! Tine funerals ar" the only thing that keep llc
80 'irty together reul'i nuer Wn'n we started.
| twenty lrs ago. Jum'- l'frN.r now q rich
hthcr ia NV jerry was rr slde MT. ana was
! \inc-Pgr- tent. J't Emery dlrd pa }, 'os.ycit
street and We buried ham with a band. When
| tho bakers heard about tnat funeral tnoy began
10 com. into the sOti'ty ant tnai WAS our ilrst
start. Mr.. Dunlap may say that tine process IONS
with the nHnd often 10 IL no rr"dit because, the
| in"h hurry out ol Inc su"is IN thcif wot knis,
! dress L. Ioin them. and because often tN,re
are more men IN the bind than there
| are following them; but think the fam rails
/ ARE just ar respectable ~ those ot any other
trade. IN" second reason Is that an Il" ;.os n
/ a~ from a funeral are hurd one doinr rif h.
and this Is what tire 80 l"ty ANs t'rn living on.
| Ia" resolutions proposed 90 levy u tine col iluy
,rnts VA ~ the ui'int RS IA ols, ~ a death. but
fli~ would not make up for the loss uf "a" lines.
Sometimes too, tho funeral ~ a member - D.
pointed hy The friends tor SUNDAY. wncn the
Jaw urOiliAtS the u~V 70 band. IAuu tlr &C.
7 r!rty sIN'7 inc prirc ol " ~ ri'ar MONEY. lhc
sou that ga" widow gci- now rs enough a. drir.y
tn" ~ p'u-r nl decent iun raj. \ man had
AMER TANK That some rrspvN In Eun- 10 s'
| pud him alter he's dead. don't want 10 he
husti a ini" the groHnt. Another rn-nn -
iNnt w. hhI"a sIirnilu~il. n"nn'r II i' over
rlN irct wiir. and 1t tHhf four men 10 carry Z.
rlan ntn"u Johnson. W. IA the ~HtlrtS We
first started. went uuto SIMPSON naA, ry. un 'he
I BVWrry. and mad"H ~ktt b from lIin %. BAKERS at
ga are painted ashoaf OF Wueat and tue i.rs.d
fl "A