The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-03
STONE MASONS' UNION
LAST YEAR WAS NOT A PROSPEROUS
ONE FOR THE CRAFT.
Annual Address of President Me-
GregOr, of Indiannpolis-Ameri
Federation of Labor.

ST. louis, Jan. 2.-The fifteenth annual
convention of the International Union of
Stone Masons began here to-day. The
morning session was devoted to welcoming
addresses by Mayor Walbridge and others.
a response by President J. j. McGregor of
Indianapolis and the presentation of the
latter's annual report. IN his review of
the past year Mr.. McGregor denomnated
1T the worst in the history of the associa-
His address follows:
THE time has arrived again, after a
long siege of depression in the building
trades for me to say to you few words
and also to render an account of my stew
ardship for the past twelve months. The
trade which you represent has never. in
the memory of any OF you present at this
convention, been in such a condition. The
depression that has prevailed all over our
country has dealt heavy blow on us as
stonemasons. 1t is conceded by all that if
there is not much demand for stonemasons
there Is very little use for the other crafts
men of the building trades, so that we have
had a dark cloud hanging over our heads.
1t behooyes us all to be in sympathy with
one another and look on the bright side of
affairs. The year just past will not be for
gotten by the members of the Stonema-
sons International Union. and 1 do not
hesitate 70 say that there are members of
the union who have never suffered before
in thei1 lives, who have travelled all over
this country seeking for work and were
unsuccessful and, in consequence, suffered
untold miseries. Not only did the individual
suffer- but also his wife and family who
should such condition of affairs exist in
this land of plenty? I regret to announce
that the greater part of the work done
was performed by men unfriendly to our
cause, and why they are not in harmony
with us is question of vital Importance
treated them with respect recognizing
them to be men as we are; are all men
and ought to be in close touch with
to be- all mems interest, and with that in
view We have nothing to fear. The only
salvation is a thorough system of organiza-
ton; and When by your efforts this is
gotten into good working order, you will
reap the benefits of a great harvest. If
you will remember, at our last convention.
the system was discussed. but has failed to
materialze on account of the hard times;
but do not lose sight of the fact that it is
your duty to assist in the building up of
your own house
Efforts have been made to increase our
proud of the results of our work. Unions
have been organized in Davenport, Ia,
Fort Worth , Tex, Kansas City, No, and
these new unions represented on the floor
of the convention to-day. May the emblem
of the Stonemasons International Union
futter in the breeze and keep alive the
spirit of unonism in these cities. 1t is to
your advantage to belong to such an hon,
ored craft, and you need not be ashamed
to belong to your local unions. every
man ought to join them. for the welfare
of the trade. Remember, in union there is
the Stonemasons' International Union is
When this country was in the height of its
prosperity a few loyal stonemasons met
in the city of Baltimore on the eighth day
of September, 1890. and laid the foundation
for such grand institution. Although en-
countering. several hardships, we have at
last gained the confidence of our enemies,
who are working hand in hand to
nerfect the organizati ton. which Is credit
70 you and all having dealings with it. Our
for the protection of our craft, and with
that as our aim we shall march forward
vocating the true principles of unionism,
as we are taught in our various local
sons; take heed and act accordingly, and
see that obligations shall be violated
Then you can stand as Lying monument
and speak of Its past history as earnest of
it's future success. You can read about
your trade in the middle ages; how mag
nificent structures were erected and are
at the present time as solid and as firm
respective positions when the world was
created. That alone ought to put spirit
OF enthusiasm and a personal desire that
it is of universal interest 20 work and up
hold a guild with such monuments of its
aaueducts of the middle ages, to the end
that our future may be more glorious than
II earnestly hope that this convention
assembled here will devote part of its time
to the. keynote of success-a thorough sys-
and Canada. would suggest to this honor
able body the plan of appointing boards
from the various local unions situated in
various parts of the country. These boards
should consist of three or five members, to
canvass the State country in which they
reside as they can easily reach those or
CARNATIONS which not affiliated with
the international union, and they should
a month and report the results of their eff
forts. that the heads o. this organiza-
ton can lay down lines on which to work.
We are now cropping in the dark and are
not making the Roadway we desire.
i wish VI to say y few lew. words DIS here in re-
that we adopted as our organ at our last
convention. The fact that it ceased pub
hcation on the 10th of June. after recev-
ing subscriptions from the various local
unions. was no fault of ours, as / person
ally had no means of ascertaining the finan-
cial standing of the paper. Nevertheless,
/ would recommend the ACCESSIBILITY of Sc
into close communication with one an
other. and I know of no more effective way
than through good newspaper. There are
no other means that will serve purposes
with suchs fruitful results the public
press | hope that you will give this ques-
ton due consideration as an important fac
tor i'll our welfare.
'.In conclusion, l wish to refer to another
matter of equal Importance. The condition
of the unfortunate locals who have suf-
fered from want of work and are den-
auent in their per capita tax demands your
delegates assembled here will allow them
the leniency that their straitened circum-
stances demand.
of sPittsburg, shown that four new
unions had been placed the roll since
the last annual convention The treasurer
Valentine Arnold. of Allegheny reported a
satisfactory condition far the flnan-
cial status of the union concerned The
convention may remain in session for a
week. or even longer, but the business be-
fore II is not of interest to the general pub
lie. A general revision of the constitution
is proposed and plans are to be discussed
aiming at the extension of the organization.
Federation of Labor Council.
NEW YORK, Jan. 2.--The newly elected
executive council of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor met in secret session to-day
The books and accounts of the retiring COM
mittee were gone over and approved
A committee from the Brotherhood of Paint
ers submitted Certain grievances for con-
sideration. 1t decided to make the
headquarters of the association at Indian
apos within two weeks. Financial assist
ance was voted to Eugene Debs in the ap-
peal of his case to the Supreme Court A
general appeal will be issued for financial
aid for the same purpose. Financial assist
ance also voted fer the striking unions
in TazeweI county ILL.,, to aid them in their
efforts for new trial. The committee will
meet at o. clock tomorrow morning There
fIn