Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-13
VITAL TO PITTSBURG.
A Question of Consolidating Two
Bottle Blowers Assemblies.
PRESIDENT AND WAGES INVOLVED.
An Appeal 10 POwderly to Bring the Two
Conventions Together.
OTHER INDUSTRIAL ITEMS OF INTEREST

Two Of the most important and vital
gatherings of the Green Bottle Blowers of
the United States and Canada ever held are
now in simultaneous session at Atlantic
City. The question OF consolidating the
two bodies is knotty one. Not only Off
cial precedence. but a vital question of
wages is involved. The whole matter in q
nutshell, with its possible effect on Pitts
burg, is accurately reported in special tel
egram from Atlantic City to THE Dis
PATCH last night, which is appended:
To-day the green bottle blowers of the
United States and Canada, consisting of Dis
trict Assemblies 49, east of the Allegheny
Mountains, and l43, west of the mountains.
took up the matter of consolidation of both
assemblies. For years they have been at
daggers points. which has proven great detri-
ment to both assemblies throughout the
United States. The assemblies are meeting in
different halls. but have found several medi-
ators, by means of which tbe present step or
attemptto go forward has been brought about.
Local pride, as well as difference of opinion
as to prices, has always kept these two organi-
cations apart.
WHY HE WANTS IT.
Mr.. Coffey, President and leader of eastern
district, favors consolidation, because he is
confident of becoming its President more than
anything else. Arlington. the western leader.
and President of l43. is neutral on the matter,
favoring higher price. but having no desire
OF losing his present office.
Hayes and the other Pittsburg delegates
favor consolidation, but will fight to the end
for Arrington's election. as it is of vitafimport
ance to the Pittsburg blowers
A delegation of fintworkers arrived from
Pittsburg to-day to take a hand in the fight, as
tLey are its real projectors, since the price fixed
directly affects their wages.
The delegates are unusually reticent on ac
count Of the situation, which is indeed critical
at this time. Two private kilograms were sent
to Master Workman Powderly to-day asking
his influence in the matter of bringing the two
1ghting organizations together.
The price list Will be taken up as soon as the
present question is disposed of, which will be,
probably, tomorrow evening The convention
viii last week longer. The Campbell matter
has been dropped by both assemblies; They
District Attorney. to settle.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF 1T.
District Master Workman Coffey, when asked
as to how the delegates received the suggestion
of consolidation, and what the leaders thought
of it, said:
The glassblowerSconsider it the most important
subject they were ever called upon to consider,
and want to give it the deliberation which 1t de-
serves. The opinion of the leaders is that 1t would
strengthen the organization wonderfully. 1t
would be much more economical. Instead of two
sets Of officers only one would be needed. A
central bureau ofinformation could be established,
and men could be transferred from one place to
another without Interruption. more general
uniformity Of prices could also be secured, and
the advantages of manufacturers well as
blowers equalized. In case a consolidation is
effected such bureau would be loc 0ted either in
or Pittsburg, not farther west than
the latter city.
Through the strength that is afforded by our
connection with the knights of Labor we have
begun and propose to wage a successful conflict
against every non-union glass corporation in the
eastern section of our grand country, until the
atmosphere of our trade is thoroughly purged of
these iniquitous pest houses. As & glassblower
and n Knight of Labor, have hesitation in
asserting the belief that the hostile opposition
which this grand order is sencountering will ulti-
mately prove that 1t is only through the instru-
mentality of the knights of Labor that the social
elevation Of the working man can be effected. and
there is no better proof of the efficiency of the
order than exists in the fact that 1t encounters the
most obstinate opposition. II It possessed no
merit its course would be smooth and uninter-
rupted.