Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-04
A HoMEfoR PRINTERS.


Colorado Springs Gazette.
Colorado Springs has gained areputa-
ton for rest and residence city that is
not surpassed by any in the country.
1t Is not, 1t never has been, seat of |
great industrial activity nor a business
centre for large territory. But as a |
place for summer pleasure and rest, and
for winter healthfulness, it has gained a |
wide reputation throughout the United
Bates and even in foreign countries.
A very important feature of the city's
recent growth, and one directly in the
line of our best chance for prosperity, is
the establishment here of national or
International homes for various organi-
Nations.
The first and largest enterprise of this
kind secured for the city is the Childs-
Drexel Home for Union Printers, now
nearly completed. The beautiful build
Ing stands on an eminence overlooking
the city, and over mile east from the
business quarter. The building is four
stories in height with basement, and
Ia built of gray sandstone. 1t is what
Is known as the Renaissance style, sub
stantial, appropriate and imposing. It
has a length of 150 feet and width of
40 feet, the height of the towers being
" hnu NV lttJ uUONt Vic BIdut.
Ground was broken early last spring
for the building and the work has been
pushed during the spring and fall until
now the home stands the most con-
spicnous building in the city. 1t can
be seen from every point surrounding
the city for miles and visitors invariably
AJAX regarding IL almost the first thing.
This handsome building has cost
80 900, and has been built by the union
printers of the United States and Canada
as home for their aged and INDECENT.
A. history of the undertaking at this
line will be Of interest.
Some five years ago Mr.. George w.
Childs, editor of the Philadelphia Ledger,
whose benevolence is known over the
sntire world, end Mr.. A. J. Drexel, the
sminent banker, donated $4,000 each tc
the International Typographical Union
The gifts were unconditional, but Of
course implied that the sums should be
used for the general good of the associa
ton; and how they should be used re
NAMED for a time very vexed ques
ton. The Sum has been greatly aug
mented since by the printers themselye
In the following way: Upon the birth
day of Mr.. Childs the printers in tn,
eastern half of the country each set ], 00
ems of type and donate the money to tn
fund; upon the birthday of Mr.. Drexe
the n-..,ss in the western half of tn
promp,ll} u ia o@ convention Of the In
I,rhas be- Typographical Union in 1888
EfTbut wess IS Of Austin, Texas, represent
DIN, TO saw tate, made proposition t
'fpt M, ", lite for the home, if the unto
hilM eide to use the money in tha
3 \ the slittae matter was thoroughly di;
iitint takabo nd a committee appointed I
~ infiuenaa the matter, and to report upo
.dn? on CO., ability of accepting the propos
lac c,,oaw,ie |. T.. U. met in Kansas Cit
Ell sSSing year; the committees n
y EgaTsstually advised waiting unit
z eithe lpe tions could be heard from an
co-oC t advantageous offer accepte,
brinl, 1t meeting was held in Denve
Rata an offer was made by either
srado Springs so very advantag
put It it could not be refused.
Bras tst of this city was yaluab
alto If school land, eighty acres
WIFI and it was arranged that
cow, be purchased by citizens al
O., ~ as the site for the hon
pal u A. A. McGovney and F.
az. .hs D,an were the two enterprising al
MS no citizens who stepped forward
aHh ;. use the land and make the off,
.o;a.np Delegates to the International typ
slons. ,lical Union visited the site al
sei,u e., so greatly pleased that upon ]
sA' ePibling at Denver the gift was 8
anu sm d and it was voted to use I
feysnssy from the Chil1s- Drexel fund
Milling the home. This action "
GUY Vi jed by vote of the unions f,
W. ks after. This handsome gift of Ia
III l.tuated on an elevated plateau of I
On uirie, facing the mountains. II is
all direct line Of growth of the city, a
J. alonts estimated as worth $500 per a,
eng,L.fore the printers had expended d
M.n. upon il. The only condition attach
The gift was that building should
l4cted to cost not less than $500
VI Vat it should be started in two We
sslild completed in three years.
wiz Since the acceptance of the gift
o.ubject of the home has been very III
ssughly discussed throughout the col
soy, bringing this city into promin
tlri'lotice. The ever generous printers HI
contributed 10 the fund until it
eryeached a handsome figure, At
mseneeting Of the international Ty
graphical Union in Atlanta, in
fniapring of 1890, it was voted to exp
and board of trustees was sclec
from the most representative men in
craft. The trustees decided later
expend 100000 on the homo, and Ii
action was subsequently approved
the unions.
1t is said the building is one of
best constructed in the west in el
way, and very complete for the purp
for which it is intended. 1t cont
large halls, reception rooms, dill
rooms, meeting rooms, a7printing OF
&c. The interior is nicely iinishe
native pine and handsomely ire
throughout. The furnishing will p
ably be done by the unions through
the country as memorial rooms.
The name adopted for the hon
"The Childs-DreXel Home for Vi
Printers in honor of the men
made the original gift. The building
accommodate some two or three /
bred men in time.
The establishing of this home
trades union is an experiment al
being eagerly watched, not only by
laboring men, but by those intert
in the solution of the labor problem
Delaware Justice.