The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-10-04
TYPE-SETTING MACHINES.
The typographical Union Pre- idea
Talks Plainly to the Craft.

me- nlon RE 1t
Talks Plainly to the Craft.
CHICAGO, Sept. 30.-One week from
Monday next the 42d annual conven-
ton of the International Topographic
cal Union will open at Louisville, Ky.
An advance proof of the annual re-
port of Resident w. b. Prescott OF
indianapolis, and which will be pre-
sented Oh the opening day of the con-
ventiop, reached this city today. 1t
deals at length with q score o. ques-
tons affecting the fraternity and Incl
dentally of interest TO the world of
trade unionism at large.
Type Setting Machine,.
Touching upon Machines and Their
Effect" President Prescott will saw:
"Coincident with, and perhaps in a
measure attributable to, the depression
through which the world has been
passing, machines were introduced in
large numbers throughout the country.
Based on the most reliable informa.
ton obtainab.e, it is conservative
statement to say that these devices-oi
which there are about 1850 i'll
operation, according to the va
rious manufacturers - have de-
prlved $500 of our members OF
employment. True to the ethics and
history of trade ubionism we have
not antagonized their introduction,
but have. with some reluctance, it may
be, readily formulated scales and en-
tered into agreements suitable TO the
changed conditions. Many new cues
lions have and will arise to harass and
aggravate us, and II dealing with them
ii will benefit us aud the future of the
craft to be deliberate, accepting the in
evltable and securing the very best
terms possible.
Don't Fight the Machines.
at has been advocated in some quar-.
tiers that the international union Sc
cure control of patents OF exisli ng
ments for the invention of new ones,
renting them TO publishers and
others. This may be dismissed
OF one of the most successful
machines on the market expended
about $l,000,000 before any financial
return was forthcoming, and it is
thought that this concern is even now
preventing ~ IL, uIShstTOuS COnlpe'
tition only on account Of its immense
capital and consequent ability to take
advantage of legal technicalities, or de-
fend its supposed rights under our pat
ept laws.
"Amid the darkness and gloom that
surrounds the introduction OF ma.
chimes it is pleasing TO know that in
The majority of instances employers
have shown disposition to engage
their old employees rs operators, thus
effecting the least possible dis
turbance in the personnel OF The
affected unions. While unable t
condone any local union regu
lation which sought to deprive inter
national card-holders of their lega
rights, what influence your officer,
have had has been exercised in urging
employers to forego the importation o
staff, and advising unions TO impres:
this upon their members, even going tC
the extent of urging the adoption o
particularly liberal students scales Ii
order to attain this end. Ii
some instances these sugges
tions were not favorably con
sidered, with obvious results.
is hoped that similar mistakes will no
be made in the future, and it IS though
n strong recommendation emanatin!
from the convention will tend to thei
avoidance"