Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-29
PLUMBERS In PLENTY.
The Associated Bodies Hold Their
First Convention Here.
TwENTY-EIGHT STATES In TOUCH.
Conference Committees Will be Estab-
lished in Every City.
TIE APPRENTICE MATTER TO BE FIXED

The first annual Convention Of the United
Association of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas
Filters, Steam Filters and Helpers opened
its initial session yesterday morning in
Plumbers Hall, on Water street. There
were present about 80 delegates, represent
ing % States and A local unions. P. j.
Quinlan, of Boston, President of the Asso-
citation, called the meeting to order. The
other officials are: First Vice President, h.
D. McGhan, Colorado; Second Vice Presi-
dent, M. F. Dolan, New York; Third Vice
President, A. j. Bowman, Richmond, Va;
Secretary Treasurer, Richard A. O'Brien,
Washington, D. c.; Executive Board, John
M. Haupt, Baltimore, Nd; John F. Muir
ply. Washington, d. c.; e. R. Joyce,
Kansas City, Mo-; P. H. Gleason. Brook
lyn, N. Y.
Very little more than the organizing of
the various committees was accomplished
during the day.
The organization was formed in October
OF last year, as a result of convention in
Washington of delegates from % local
unions, who met, independent of the bodies
to which they had originally been affiliated,
and decided to form an association which
would embrace members of the craft
througho ut the United States and Canada.
OF RAPID GROWTH.
The new body began its active existence
In January Of this year, and since then has
grown rapidly. 1t owes allegiance to
neither OF the great labor organizations, and
1t is said that the association Will, in all its
transactions. act Independently of both the
knights of Labor and the Federation of
Labor.
One OF the most important matters which
Will eventuate from the convention will be the
formation of Board of Conference in each
city, to which all disputes between employers
and employees will be referred. The board will
comprise three or four members of the EN-
ployers' Association and a similar number of
employees. Brooklyn-which has been termed
the banner city of the association-already has
Its Conference Committee, and another has
been established in Washington.
HAS NO USE FOR STRIKES.
The association is totally opposed to strikes,
and through the establishment of these con.
ference committees it expects to promote un-
varying harmony between the man who has
money to pay for labor and the man who has
his labor to sell. An equally important sub
ject to come under the consideration of the
convention is that of the apprentice system. 1t
has been suggested that the boys be bound for
1ve years; the first two years to carry the
tradesman's tools, the next to be assigned to
some man for instruction, the fourth to work
in the shop, and the last to work at -of-doors
job under the direction of the foreman. The
ranging scale of wages would also be fixed.
The question of hours will also be touched
upon, as well as the rate Of pay. 1t will be
sought to equalize these over the country.
In Boston the men work nine hours for So so
per day; in New York. Brooklyn and st. Louis
eight hours for the same rate and in Baltimore
longer hours for less pay In Denver 81 is the
rate for eight hours work. The convention
will continue to-day and two subsequent days.
The arrangements for the reception have been
already published.