Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-19
BOLTED THE MEETING.
The Big Pittsburg Delegation to the
Builders Convention
LEAVES THE HALL IN DISGUST
Dissatisfied With the Result Of Vote on
Representation.
VERY LIVELY TINES IN CLEVELAND
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArCH.1
CLEVELAND, O., Jan. 18.-The National
Association of Builders next in sixth an
nual convention in this city to-day. There
were ia representatives of affiliated bodies,
representing 26 filial bodies. who claimed
seats as delegates.
The convention assembled in Y. M. c. A.
Hall at 10 o'clock, but it was almost IL
o'clock before President Arthur McAllister,
of Cleveland, called the meeting to order.
An invocation fore. divine blessing was
offered, when Mayor Rose welcomed the
city on behalf of the citizens and the Cleve-
land Contractors and Builders Association.
Nothing of interest developed until the
Committee on Credentials reported. There
were two reports, majority and minority
report, and all on account of the Pittsburg
delegation. From newspaper reports 1t had
become generally known that Pittsburg
came here with big delegation and pre-
pared to introduce some radical changes In
the constitution, laws and methods OF the
manner of conducting the National Associa-
tion.
Pittsburg Not Allowed to Bulldoze.
It was thought Pittsburg proposed to
bulldoZe and to run the convention, and
scheme to head her off was, therefore,
deemed necessary, and it was accomplished
at meeting of the Board of Directors held
Yesterday, at which it was decided that
Pittsburg was only entitled to four dele
gates-three regulars and one at large.
Conformably with this decision of the
directory, the majority of the Committee
on Credentials reported. The Pittsburg
delegates expected this, and,were prepared
for it. During last evening and this morn
ing they button-holed the delegates who
were here and explained their objects and
purposes to them. Their propositions were
favorably received by large number of
the delegates from New York, Chicago, st.
Louis and the smaller cities.
When the committees reports had been
read, therefore, Mr.. Blair, of Cincinnati,
moved the adoption of the majority report.
: Mr.. Harris, of Philadelphia, amended to
include the minority report, as the two
coincided excepting in the matter of Pitts
burg's representation.
Debate on the question was long and to-
ward its close became somewhat acrimoni-
ous The Pittsburgers fought against their
disfranchisement earnestly and valiantly.
Excellent speeches in defense of their posi-
tion were made by w. T. Powell, w. r.
Stoughton, E. A. Knox and others. The
whole matter narrowed down finally to
question of constitutional Interpretation.
The Pittsburg Case In Good Hands.
The Pittsburgers had their case in good
hands, and were making a distinct impress
sion on the assembly. Their opponents
perceived this, and at once proceeded to
choke off debate. President McAllister
discouraged this when he saw dozen dele
gates rise to their feet to protest.
Then the fight was renewed with greater
earnestness Some speakers used language
disparaging of the Pittsburgers, and they
spurned it with scorn, and intimations that
they had come to do all that was right,
and customs of the association, but they
did not propose to be deprived OF their
Just representation.
Finally vote was called for, and with
the result that the Pittsburgers were de-
feated, the vote standing 20 to %. When
tue vote was announced Mr.. Harnack, the
chairman of the delegation, announced to
the chairman that the Pittsburgers would
withdraw, and suiting the action to the
words, he led the way and the other 1S fol-
lowed in single Gle.
This was an unexpected move, and created
CONSERVATION among the delegates from
other cities. Mr. Scribner, of st. Paul,
one OF the founders of the organization,
asked the Pittsburgers to remain, and they
paused in the lobby until he made speech
deploring the exodus and winding up with
a motion to seat four of the Pittsburg dele
gates and allow the other Is seats as alter
mates.
A Damper on the Convention.
The Pittsburgers Immediately went into
conference, before the conclusion of which
committee from the convention waited on
them and endavored to persuade them to re-
turn under Mr.. Scribner's motion. They
refused, but drafted a series of resolutions
which were to have been presented to the
convention at to-morrow's session, but
which possibly may never reach it because
the effect of Pittsburg's withdrawal has put
such a damper on the convention that the
Chicago delegation is going to present
resolution for reconsideration of the matter
causing the withdrawal, and it is probable
it will 90 through and the convention will
reverse itself If this plan succeeds, the re-
mainder of the session promises some lively
The PIttsburg delegation came here to
fight some abuses which they claim exist in
the management of the association, and will
criticize severely its refusal to take up
questions on much greater practical interest
to builders than has heretofore been done.
They want a reduction of the per capita
tax, and, as means of doing it, they pro-
pose q reduction of the salary of the secre-
tary and the looping off of some other items
of expense which they deem unnecessary or
excessive.
Tonight the Pittsburgers are resting
quietly on their oars, and are being
earnestly talked to by representatives from
other cities. They say they will make no
effort to get back, being content with the
attitude they have taken, but that if the
convention treats them justly they will not
be found sulking or disposed to treat it dis
courteously.
-Cent-a-Word will secure a situation
in THE DISPATCHS want columns.