Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1890-08-23
THE CARPENTERS.
Practical illustrations of the Rene
fits of Organization.

Practical Illustrations of the Rene
fits of Organization.
In his report to the biennial COnven-
ton of the Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joners, held in Chicago from the
4th to the 18th of August, Secretary p.
J.McIiuire referred with legitimate pride
to the phenomenal growth of the organi-
zation which owes his existence to his
initiative and much of its progress to
his activity. He said
"The number of local unions now un-
der our jurisdiction is 697 in good stand
ing, with 1886 enrolled members and
a magnificent roster of 50, 169 beneficial
members, being a net gain in the past
two years of $50 new unions and IS, 353
new members, gain of 80 per cent in
new unions and 80 per cent. in member
ship This places the United Brother
mood in the front rank of labor organi-
cations, 1t is now the largest and M st
powerful organization, numerically, of
any special trade in the whole civilized
world. And its growth is unparalleled,
in like time, by any trade union on
earth. All that now remains is to per
feet It's financial resource to be equal to
any occasion, and the United Brother
hood will be as invulnerable as it is mas
sive.
"ln the past two years we have eX.
pended $51 SAP 40 for death and di6abi.
lily benefits, fully one half of all ever
paid out by us for that purpose. This
makes in all the sum Of $l11 ,5l765 paid
out IN benefits from our general office in
the seven years the system has been in
operation. Over S235, 600 more was paid
out for sick benefits in the same time by
the local unions.
" rhe past year we expended ST. ,321.4S
in support of trade movements, in
strikes and against lockouts, where we
spent only S4,170 the year previous.
81 400 carpenters, union and nOn-union
men, and lost s strikes, involving about
1900 carpenters. Last year we won Is
strikes out OF SO we engaged in. The
great eight hour movement on May |,
this year, was the cause of the many
strikes we had this season. And the re-
suits after all are very gratifying, for
through this we have gained large
number of new unions and thousands of
new members, and advanced the wages
and reduced the hours of labor in numer-
Gus cases.
ain four years we have advanced the
wages of carpenters in Alb cities twenty
five to seventy-tive cents per day, which,
for the union and non-union men inter
ested, amounts to five and half million
dollars per year more wages to the car
penters in those places,
Besides that we have reduced the
hours of labor to eight per day in 81 CT.
ties, and to nine per day in 234 cities,
not to count 260 cities which now have
the rule of eight or nine hours day on
Saturdays. This reduction in the hours
of labor alone has given employment to
1900 more carpenters, who, had it not
been for this movement made by our
organization, would be on the streets
idle and penniless. These figures speak
volumes in favor of the United Brother
hood and its work, and are in themselves
a powerful argument in favor of trade
unions.
"Since our convention two years ago
at Detroit an immense work has been
accomplished. We have spread the gos-
pei of organization among the carpen-
tiers in every town and hamlet; we have
scattered printed leaflets and labor Ii
terature far and wide; we have placed
stirring speakers out on the road, and
have inspired spirit of noble and sturdy
manhood among the carpenters which
in time will brook none of he imposi-
tons and wrongs of old.
"In scores of towns we have. lvanced
wages and reduced the hours of labor,
while with a fraternal hand as trade
union men we have taken care of our
sick and distressed members, and by
timely aid we have helped to lift the
dark gloom of death from the widowed
and fatherless of our deceased bro
theirs.
"In the front rank of industrial battle
this year our members have stood with
undaunted courage as pioneers in the
world wide movement for shorter hours
of labor. And though defeated in few
instances, the grand array of victories
won will be an inspiration for the future
and the few defeats of this season we
are satisfied next year will be turned
into cheering success.
"Of the 697 local unions, 81 are locat-
ed in Canada, AZ are on the Pacific coast,
1917 are in the southern states N of
which are composed entirely of colored
mem, IS are located in the New England
states, 208 in the middle states, and 22g
are in the western states.