Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-05-12
Childs-DreNel Home.

A few years ago George w. Childs,
proprietor of the Philadelphia Ledger,
donated $4,000 to the international
typographical Union, to be used as a
nuclues for the establishment of home
for aged and infirm members of that
excellent organization. This was i'm
mediately followed by $4,000 more from
A. J. Drexel, the Philadelphia banker
and intimate friend of Mr.. Childs. The
union then set about to devise ways and
means to accumulate sufficient sum
for the project, and the following method
was adopted: On every birthday of
Mr.. Childs the union printers of every
city and town east of the Mississippi
River donate an amount equal to the
rate per 1000 ems they receive for setting
type. This rate varies in different locali-
ties, according to the scale of the local
union, and runs from 80 cents in some
towns to 70 cents in others. On the
anniversary of Mr.. DrexePs birth each
year the members west of the Mississippi
do likewise. The amount contributed
by each printer is small, but when taken
in the aggregate makes a large sum.
The home was located at Colorado
Springs, Colorado, on plot of ground
consisting of seventy acres, which was
given to the union by the citizens of Col
orado Springs. The building is now
completed. 1t presents grand appear
ance, and is considered one of the best
constructed in Colorado. The home is
clear of debt, every bill being promptly
met when due, and there is sufficient
money to furnish it and run it for the
first year. The building cost nearly &c.,
600, and will be dedicated with imposing
ceremonies to-day, the sixty-third birth
day of Mr., Childs.
The programme for the dedication of
the home has been arranged as follows :;
The dedication prayer will be made by
the Rev. j. B. Gregg, pastor of the First
Congregational Church, of Colorado
Springs; "Address of Welcome on Behalf
of the People of Colorado" by Governor
John L. Routt; address OF Welcome on
Behalf of Colorado Springs" by Mayor
Ira G. Sprague; address of Welcome on
Behalf of the Chamber of Commerce" I"
by II. G, Lunt; Response" by w. B..
Prescott, president of the International
Typographical Union; History of the
Childs-Drexel Home" by August Do
nath, of Washington; Grafton by Senator
Jacob H. Gallinger, of New Hampshire;
poem by Mr.. Eugene H. Munday, the
printer-poet, of Philadelphia. Bishop
McLaren, of the Diocese of Illinois, will
deliver the closing prayer and dedica-
ton.
Addresses are also to be made by Mr..
Georgs w. Childs, who will be present
at the dedication, and by several men,
bers of the National Editorial Associa-
ton, who will stop at Colorado Springs
on their way to the annual meeting OF
the association at San Francisco. Specia
trains are running to-day from all direc
| tions, and about 800 members of the Ma
tional Editorial Association will be pres
ent. United States Troops and the
National Guard of Colorado will assist in
the reception.
This work of the union printers Of
America is worthy of imitation by other
labor and benevolent organizations
The aged and worn-out members of the
craft, when unable to hold up their enc
at the case and are turned out upon the
world, can look toward the Printers
Home as a haven where they will find
comfort and rest the remainder of their
lives. This is especially true of those
men who are without families to support
and aid them in their old days. In
probably no organization in the world
are the bonds of sympathy and brother
hood stronger than in the International
Typographical Union, The member
who has struck hard luck and descended
to the level of the tramp fraternity is
regarded by any union in the country as
the equal Of the man who may be
manager of metropolitan daily.
Charity and benevolence are taught at
its meetings, and practical illustration
of these principles is given in the
dedication of its home.
Cleveland and Harrison.