The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-08-16
The Iron Mems Convention

convention resumed deliberations this
morning, and the entire session was.
occupied with Il number of unimpor-
tant resolutions. One of these lfmi-
tel the time of speech-making. at
the afternoon session President Jar
rett delivered the annual address
covering almost all topics that are ex-
pected to come up for action during
the convention. Jarrett saws his rea-
son for declining reelection is not
owing to ill-health, but strictly on ac-
count of private interests.
Secretary Martin and President Jar
rett refused to give any information
in regard to the business formally pre-
sented TO the convention this moining.
but from another point more impor-
tant suggestions were obtained One
of the main topics will be the strike
laws of the association, which
may be amended or materially
modified. Several leaders urge that
members to whom the association
owes strike benefits shall relinquish
their claims. If this be done the as
sociation will stand absolutely clear
of debt. 1t will also be considered
whether the secretary of the national
lodge shall or shall not be allowed to
from current funds. There is a dif--
ference in opinion as to whether the
association shall publish a monthly
journal of its own or continue the
National Labor Tribune as its official
organ. Among the resolutions report
ed by delegates of Allegheny county N
lodge are that prices on all mills run
ming three turns shall be raised ten
per cent above the regular price,
and hat if the association should be-
come involved in general strike no
strike benefits shall be allowed. An
other lodge suggests that it be consid- !,
cred grievance sufficient to shut down
a mill within twelve hours, if metal
requiring more than one hour and
half work in pudding or boiling
furnaces be not charged, af-
ter notifying the boss. Another
suggestion is that the laws of the as
socIation be so changed that national
officers shall be elected for term OF
four years, and thai the scale to be
presented in June, 1884, be for four
years, instead of one; that sub-lodges
take care of their own members during
strikes, and that the president -
national lodge be directed to-
committee of members frl
uloOIlCG w ucCO dG luItINtt
the situation, consideril
the present rate of wages
tanned, or whether the
business is such as to war;;
crease or demand a reduction. Other
resolutions recommend that nailers
be required to teach per cent per an
mum of nail feeders in the factory in
which they work. Feeders must be
members of the amalgamated associaa|
tion, in good standing, and at leas4
twenty-one years of age, and com
mittee of nailerS will select them, and
that all meetings of sub-lodges h
opened and closed with religious C;
monies. One of the most importa
suggestions is embodied in a resolutic
that mills shall 10y idle during Juf
and August of each year. This is
supported by several lodges upon the
ground that it will prevent over sup
ply of the iron market and cOnse-
quent reduction of wages. Withdrawal
of the iron workers of the associa-
tion from the steel workers is strong
ly recommended. Other resolutions
relate mainly to government OF the
society. Many bylaws are proposed,
some important>aE&ges ad70cateu.
Among these is suggestion that any
lodges suffering because of its adj
herence to the association shall be
aided by voluntary subscriptions from
other lodges. The date for signing the
nailers scale after 1884 space be
changed from June to March l, each
year, and when the funds of the gem
eral association fall below $4,000 tile
president shall have power to levy an
assessment of from 10 to % cents upon
each member until the fund reaches
$4,000. That lodges with mixed
membership shall send delegates
from each department to the
convention on alternate years,
and that should charges be pre-
'ffefffeed ed against the president of the ma
tional lodge, the, vice PPFesidefr 0f thllE
first district shall appoint seven \
lodges, each of which shall by written
ballot elect one delegate to investi-
gate the charges. with power
to expel, suspend or repriInand
the president should he be found
guilty. An assessment of two dollars
per head upon every member of
the association, to be levied Septem-
Der l, was also advocated. Consider
alton of these resolutions begins to-
morrow at the afternoon session.
A petition was presented asking
delegates TO extend their support 10
the meeting at horticultural Hall,
Sunday next, in the interest Of
the striking telegraph operators. The
convention ignored a proposition to
use influence in securing permission
to hold social gatherings Sundays in
Paramount Park. A proposition was
brought up by j. W. Jemison,of Armz<
strong. county, Pa, to extend the
funds to support the strikers in the
Bethlehem iron works, to $4,000.
The sum of $500, was
sent last night to one hundred and
forty men on a strike at Bethlehem
A motion was made to draw on the
surplus fund of $4,000 for any
amount needed to sustain the Bebhle-
hem strike, which is regarded as the
most important one in the country.
tensions motion for $4,000 was sus-
tanned and it was agreed to send the
Bethlehem men 100000 per week, if
necessary.
The association boasts of fund on
hand of $1,0O0.O00.