Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-15
ELECTRICITY AND ELOQUENCE
The Brotherhood, After Business Hours, Sit
Down to Banquet.
Listening to TOasts-Some Important
Business Transacted mt Last
Evenings Session.

More business was transacted at the
meeting yesterday afternoon Of the ma
tional convention of the Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers than had been dispatch
ed in any two sessions previous. The body
placed itself On record as opposing strikes
except as a matter of necessity when all
attempts at arbitration in cases Of difficulty
between employers ard their employees have
failed. They also adopted resolutions of
sympathy for the Cubans who are seeking
to achieve their independence, and express
ed disapproval of the action of Judge
Woods of Chicago in sending Eugene V.
Debs to Jail.
Among the orders adopted was one in
structing each delegate to use his best
efforts upon returning home to begin agita-
ton for the passage by the several state
legislatures of laws to license electrical
workers, and also such other laws as it Is
hoped will result in benefit to the public
and the members Of the craft throughout
the country. They also recommended that
the members of societies of organized labor
in the District give their hearty support to
the movement inaugurated by the cigar
makers for the more general sale of union
made cigars throughout the District of
Columbia.
A number Of amendments to the consti-
tuition were submitted by the committee
to whom they were referred, with the
recommendation that they be adopted, but
this action was Tot taken by the conven-
ton until after there was exhaustive dis
cussion upon eacn amendment proposed.
When. however. the work of the commit
tee on constitution was disposed of the
organic law bore but little resemblance to
that under which the National Brotherhood
Of Electrical Workers has operated for
eeveral years past. Arrangements were
made for taking the initiatory steps for the
Vino nf for aon1s Il ,2rY,1
electrical workers.
San Antonio Wants Them.
During the Afternoon session Delegate
Maloney of San Antonio. Texas. received
several kilograms from prominent men in
that state and elsewhere indorsing the invi-
tation of Gov. Culberson that the conven-
ton of 97 shall meet in Texas. One of
these kilograms was from the president of
the Travellers Protective Association of
America at st. Louis. Mo-, who favored San
Antonio, which, he said, Is a model conven-
ton city. The T. P. A. recently, he said,
held a convention there, which, although
composed of /, 100 delegates. was entertained
by the people of San Antonio in royal man.
ner.
very kindly disposed toward San Antonio
as the place for the meeting of the conven-
ton two years hence, but there Is not much
probability that 1t will be selected on ac-
parts of the country where the local unions
Of the brotherhood are located. and the at
tendant expense in reaching there.
The convention held night session, when
much routine business was transacted.
The Banquet.
The banquet rendered by the members of
Local No. rs Of Washington to the delegates
to the convention took place last night at
the Hotel Laurence. The dining hall was
a
ing and fully $50 persons. including many
ladies, sat down to tables, which We're ar
ranged on either side and across one end of
the room. Pistorio's band was stationed at
one end of the hall and played selections
during the progress of the banquet
1t was nearly II o'clock when President
John NJ. Berger of Local Union. No. g. of
Washington. who presided and also acted
as POSTMASTER, beg an his address of wei
come to the delegates to the convention
and invited guests of the evening.
Mr.. Berger. in the course of his remarks,
explained the objects for which the broth
erhood was organized, which were not, he
said. for the purpose of fighting the en-
ployer. but rather to gain favor with him.
He also related some of the difficulties
with which Local Union, No. 26. has had
to contend during the last few years
and until recently.
When Local Union. No. g. was organ
lied In 1892 there was not, said Mr.. Berger,
a single electrical establishment IN the
city which employed none but union men;
now there is not one where one more
union men is not regularly at work.
Mr.. Berger read letter from Mr.. George
c. Maynard. who had been invited to at
tend. regretting his inability to be present.
The first toast was as follows: ITO the
National brotherhood of Electrical Work
ers of America. In faith and hope the
cerned in charity" was responded to by
Mr.. c. L. White of Chicago. who took oc-
casion to say that when he gets back
among his friends in Chicago they shall
hear from him full reports of how royalty
Local Union, No. g. Of Washington has
entertained the convention.
Mr.. R. F. Metzel. assistant chairman of
the banquet committee, responded with a
most appropriate speech to the toast. ITO
Local No. 26 Of Washington-Come let us
look one another in the face and see if each
has loyal been He concluded by intro
ducing little Ruby Johnson, who executed
some fancy dancing, for which she was
heartily applauded, and presented with a
handsome bouquet of flowers by Mrs.
MetZel.
Miss Edith. little tot member of the
'Shore Acres company, also sang several
songs which were well received
The third toast. ITO Local Union No. l,
our mother local-to those who know thee
not no word can paint. and those who
know thee, know all words are faint" was
responded to by Grand Secretary-Treasurer
]. T. Kelly of the National Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, who gave an interest
ing account of the organization of the first
local.
Grand President Fl. w. Sherman spoke
eloquently to the toast. ITO our mothers
wives and ladies'. mothers love, wife's faith
and ladies' trust. Write the characters
in dust"
In replying to the toast, ITO Local Union
No. Is. the love of praise, howe'er concealed
by art, reigns more or less and CLOVIS in
every heart" Mr.. Henry HIATT of Philadel-
phia gave history of the organization.
Mr.. Frank B. Noyes of The Evening Star,
who was down for response to the toast
to THE press of Washington" being I'M
avoidably detained Mr.. Harry p. Goodwin
responded in his stead.
The last toast. ITO our deceased brothers,
Of them who are wrapt in earth are cold,
no mere the smiling day shall view; should
many tender tale be told, for many ten
der thought is due" was drunk standing
and in silence.
After a complimentary speech by Grand
President Sherman. thanking Local Union
No. 20 for its hospitality. the banquet closed
The Closing Sessions
Today's session Of the convention began
at 10 am, with Grand President Sherman
pr siding and Mr.. J. T. Kelly secretary
Letters were read by Grand Secretary