The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-16

Printers of the Pacific North
west Unite in 1t,
WILL ORGANIZE IN THE COUNTRY.
Proceedings OF the Olympia Conven-
tion-Proposed State Labor Con-
gress-The Carpenters Union.

c. f. Hawkes., district organizer of the
Typographical Union, has just: returned
from Olympia, where he had been
attending the session of the district conven-
ton on January 10 and II. He expressed
himself as well pleased with tie work of
the convention and thought it would
prove highly beneficial to che trade
throughout the district and greatly assist
in bringing about change in t5,e organ
ization of the International Union.
3 The convention was composed sfthirteen
delegates: w. III. Culiin. Of Victoria; J.
d. McNivin, of Vancouver; PEGGY Peele,
OF New Westminster; L. F. Tiso9i, of Port
Townsend; Medill Connell, of Bsllingham
bay; J. A. Robbins, J. J. O'Neill and
C. L. Hawkes., of Seattle: Gaorge W.
Alexander, of Tacoma; Joe VI. johnson,
of Olympia; d. w. Bush, of Che
halls; C. NJ. Lynch, of Spokane,
and J. J. Flbin, of Portland.
They were all regularly sccred ted
delegates from their local unions. with the
exception of Mr.. Hawkes.. who was admit
ted as delegate at large. owing to his
holding a commission as organizer. Speak
ing of the questions considered, Mr..
Hawkes. said:
the old voluntary federation OF Biographical
unions and declare the same territors included
in the district organization. The only differ
ence 3 that now il is compulsory for ali the
local unions in the district to becorns affiliated.
This is the first step toward changing the
form OF organization of the iuternatcnal Here
toforo the delegates to that body have been
elected by the locals, but 1t is proposed to
bring about a change at the meeting
which Is to be held in Chicago in
June, so that the delegate will be elected from
the districts the in secres societies
This will greatly reduce the n>lmber OF
representatives the International,
and make the expense of: holding
the meetings much lighter. Then all locals
can have lair representation, for the delegates
expenses will be paid out of the general fund.-
whereas now the locals have to bear these ex-
penses, and the result IS that distant locals
cannot afford to send their full Guo:a OF dele
gates. Besides, the districts can attend to all
the matters OF a sectional nature and relieve the
international OF a large amount OF wprk.
The question of organizing the primers in the
smaller towns also considered and II was
decided to do some missionary work
among them and distribute Gnon lit
erature. Three or more printers in a
small town can now organize a chapel and be
attached TO the nearest local union. OF course
this chapel Cannot regulate scales of prices, ex-
cept through the loca! union, but il will serve
as Il sort OF employment bureau. Very frequently
a printer in the city would he glad to get an
opening Tor job in the country, bug before he
can hear of the chance for such a Job ii has
been taken by some one else. Now TIE chapeis
in the country towns can keep the city men
posted when there are openings IL country
offices, and vice versa.
The convention condemned the bractice OF
the state and provi uclss legislature OF send
ing work outside their own Common
weslths, when every biz of it could &c done at
home. 4 resolution was also psSset declaring
against the of the name OF the un Eon for any
political purpose.
By reason of the fact that this was the
first district to organize under the new
regulations of the international, the
business was more or les orig
inal and necessitated harder work
on the part of the delegates Blu: they all
worked like beavers, and n session was
held each evening. extending urltil after
midnight.
Officers for the ensuing year wee elected
as follows: President {. NJ. Lyach vice
president. w. II. Cuiiin; secretars, George
w Alexander; treasurer, Joe II. John
son; district organizer, c. +. Hae kes.
II was voted to levy a per capiza tax of
10 cents per month on each memEer IN the
locals I'd carry Ou tHe "ofh ana pear the
expense Of delegates to the nexe session
OF the district, which is 10 be helz in Port
land in July, lS54.
The banquet and ball given by the
olympia Typographical UIson in
honor Of the delegates was very
enjoyable affair. Resolutions were
ado, TED expressing The grat@ uie of
the delegates Tor the manner i. which
they had been received by the Ty5ograph-
zeal ana Cisarmakers' Unions State Prin-
ter .. {. White and others.