Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-07-13
THE GLASS WORKERS.
fHssFs loN0PIHg CONVENTION YIsTsR-
DAY BRlEP
40 Abstract O he RsFr. o. The Secretary and
President General Labr
News.

The delegates to the Flint Glass Work
ers' Convention, who went to Lake Chip
psva on theexcuIsion, were very tired yes
terday, as they did not have more than
four hours rest before they were compelled
to bestir themselves and return to cOnyen-
ton hall.
1t was o'clock when the gathering re-
convened. The report of the Engravsrs'
Committee claimed the attention Of the
delegates until nearly time for dinner
Yesterday afternoon the Move Committee,
the Wage Committee ard one or two Others
reported. IL wGs the sense of the cOayen-
ton that some things LbOuld be changed
materially, but the boys are not inclined
to make much of stir this year, as the
condition Of the glass business will not
warrant any big changes. There is no
doubling the fact that the Convention con-
taius q biz number Of leyel-headed indWid-
nails, and they will set AS they think is best
for the stability Of the organization.
A Pittsburg Dispatch reporter states that
there is considerable opposition to the re-
election of President Smith. We have
been unable to find any dissatisfaction in
the ranks, and the reelection Of Sir. Smith
is certain.
Some OF the newspapers contain very
wild statements regarding the amount Of
money in the treasury Of the organization.
The lRtsNCmcer, several days since, pub.
lished the statement that the glass workers
bad $500 600 on hands.
10 his report, presented to the Conven-
ton at the opening Sc sion, Secretary Dill
lon said that the percentage system OF
assessing member on his actual earnings
was the proper way Of collecting funds A
debt OF over 500, COO had been wiped ont,
in addition TO paying relief to members on
strike during the past year, amounting 10
about {i2 coo. The earnings OF the mem
beIs during the past ten months OF the fire,
amounted 70 over 100000. Secretary
Dillon then read the report Of the eight
h0ur committee appointed by the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor 81 its conyeotion
held at st. Louis in last December. Il
recommended tina. a mass meeting be
called up0n Washington's birthday, July
4,h, on Labor Day, and that on May let,
1890, eigUt hours be recognized as a stand
AID work day. IL was not, however, COM
pulsory on the part Of any affiliated unions
TO enforce this demand, nor was 1t believed
that a complete accomplishment could be
secured, but one fact was evident that
only through efforts Of this kind cOuld the
toiling class anticipate a bst,erment OF
their condition ia the hours of toll. The
assessment plan which bad been brought
20 the attention of the convention of the
American Federation st Baltimore, through
the efforts Of Mr.. J. II. Burtt, aud him
self together with the assistance Of the
delegates from the A. A. of I. & S. W,
had been voted upon by thesiiiliate1 uniOns,
and adopted, was referred to. II gave the
Executive Council of the American Fed
Grafton the power TO levy AZ assessment
Of two cents per member, upon every
national or international union, when 1t
was needed TO assist another national union.
In accordance with this provision the cost
could not amount 20 more than eighty
cents per member, annually, and on a
membership of COCO, would emily reach
81. 500 year. On the other hand the
benefits derived from such a fund would
be Of untold value. The American Fed
GRAFTON would, if necessary, command s
sum Of from s.. 600 to $40, 900 weekly for
the assistance Of trades in serious trouble,
while at the same time the expense Of esch
national organization would be compare
lively small. Secretary Dillon then pre-
sented receipts for money which had been
forwarded 10 the Journeymen Brewers'
Union by various locals OF the American
Fhuts
The total receipts for the year had been
S119.O35 O3. Anr the payment Of ell
debts, inclusive Of relief benefits due 10
the various unions, a large balance re-
NAMED in the treasury on June lst.
President Smith, who is also the treas
urer. reported that under the new plan OF
assessing members on the percentage sys-
TEN, the number of delinquent unions hsd
decreased p per cent, and the aggregate
averages Of an its locals was very small az
crmpsred with former yesrs. His esti-
mate of the earnings of the members from
August 1, 1883. to May 81, 1889, was
a.. ~. Ol9.75. The general average for
eight months was Sl5.72 per member.
Averaging it for II months, irrespective OF
the sumner stop and other matters, the
average earnings for the 5000 members
were $iO.45 per week.