Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-02

part he had taken in IL, and going TO SCOT
land where he opened a monumental yard.
and at the age of thirteen, Dominick start
ed at the trade Of a stonecutter.
His father emigrated to America, and
after working at various jobs. including
the heating of rivets In River Clyde ship
yard, Dominick also determined to seek
his fortunes in the states and came over
in 1885. He finished his trade at Ayondale,
went to Newark. N. j.. where he was elect
ed master workman of l.. A., No. %, X. Of
L.: delegate to No. 90, X. of L., and presi-
dent OF the Stonecutters' Union. He was
then not quite twenty-one years old.
1t was in Philadelphia, where he after
ward removed. that Mr.. Walsh began
course of studies in drawing and modelling,
which have stood him in such good stead,
and from this time on he confined his at
tention almost entirely to the delicate and
artistic work connected with ornamental
masonry.
Sacrificed His Place for Principle.
When the exterior work of carving the
granite on the new Congressional Library
was begun Mr.. Walsh came to this city
and secured employment on 1t, where he
was soon regarded as one of the most val
liable men engaged In the important I'M
dertaking. AS a recognition of his superior
abilities he was transferred to work upon
the marble decorations of the interior by
Superintendent Boyd. After working over
fifteen months on the marble work it came
to his knowledge that some non-unfon
carvers from New York had started in
to work on the building, and although the
local union. of which he is member,
claims no Jurisdiction over government
work. Mr.. Walsh declared to the shop
foreman he would not work on the same
job with 'scab' and stopped work i'm
mediately. thereby sacrificing one of the
best positions at his trade in the coun-
try in defense of his union principles.
Several years ago the idea suggested
itself to him that there ought to be
modelling school in Washington. He dis
cussed the matter with several of his as
sociates. and they appreciated the notion.
class of eighteen was speedily secured.
and they were extremely fortunate in Sc
curing the services of Mr.. William Boyd,
the superintendent of the decorative stone
work on the library, and one of the lead
ing architectural sculptors in America, as
a critic and adviser.
Under his tuition Mr.. Walsh learned
great deal. Before the expiration of the
school term he was doing the interior
decorative modelling Of the Equitable build
Ing in Baltimore and the residence Of Mr..
L. z. Letter in Washington.
Contributions to the Labor Cause.
Since coming to Washington Mr.. Walsh
has taken an active interest in the affairs
of the local branch of the Journeymen
Stonecutters' Association, having at vari-
Gus times been elected to fill the position OF
president. corresponding secretary and dele
gate to the Federation of Labor.
There Is another matter in connection
with Mr.. Walshs endeavors to elevate
the condition OF his fellow-craftsmen not
Only in this city. but throughout the coun-
try. that Is Of great interest to the general
public.
This is a series of articles on practical
stone carving. which are being published
| in the leading magazine of the country de-
voted to the interest of stone. They COM
prise criticism on the evil methods now
practiced to n great extent in all the large
private buildings is being degraded by
cheap and unskilled labor. and illustrating
how The evil can be overcome by proper
practice.
His arguments are well and forcibly
written and highly Illustrated showing the
author to be q writer of marked ability, and
| many of the building trades journals have
reproduced his articles. while the compli-
ments paid him by editors, architects and
builders have gained for him an enviable
reputation.
MIR. Geo. A. Tracy.
| Mr.. George A. Tracy, the marshal of the
| second division. is one Of the brightest
| young men in the art preservative today
| He was born some thirty odd years ago in
the town Of Monmouth, ILL.,. where he
served apprenticeship to the printing
| business. Upon attaining his majority, he
went immediat ely to Pittsburg in search of
employment, and became a member of the
| local union there. He has since worked in
| nearly every city in the east and west.
| Mr.. Tracy paid a short visit to Washing
| ton in 1881 on one of his pilgrimages, and
did not again return there until 1885, when
| he Was assigned cases on the Congressional
| Record in the government printing office.