St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-01
PRESIDENT PRESCOTT IN TOWN.
The Head of the Typos Discusses
Their Condition

h Heao OF the Typos Discusses
Their Condition.
W. b. Prescott, president of the Inter-
national Typographical union, is in the
city at the solicitation of the st. Paul
publishers for the purpose of adjusting
some minor differences which existed
In the immediate past.
In speaking of the condition of the
International Typographical union,
President Prescott said yesterday: THE
union is certainly in the best of condi-
lions, both financially and in point of
membership. Four years ago we rank
ed fourth in the federation, but today
we unqualifiedly occupy first place, from
all points of view. OF course the inven-
ton of machinery has thrown some of
our members out of employment for a
time, but conditions have gradually re-
adjusted themselves until we fail to no.
tlce any marked results of the so-called
labor saving machines
we owe our prestige, in a large
measure, to our conservative methods
of trade organization" continued Mr..
Precott, land the fairness of our deal
ings with the publishers, with whom
our agreements at present are more
satisfactory than ever. Since the be-
ginning Of the recent financial panic
which swept the country we have &C
complished some decidedly advantage
Gus changes in the hours constituting
days work. This is particularly true
in its application to newspaper offices.
In some cities two and a half hours
constitute days work. The time va
rleS from this number to a maximum of
eight hours. In $50 cities we have the
acceptable schedule of six hours per
day, while 125 cities have adopted the
eight-hour schedule. The result of our
work is easily apparent. What was for
merly the average earning power of
our members is now the minimum
With the individual members enjoying
prosperity, the reasons for the pros
perity of the whole union are apparent.
Our headquarters diSbursed $125, 600 last
year. This money was used in cities
where members of the union had been
locked out through disagreementS with
one or two publishers and not in sup
port Of any genuine strike. We have
had no such strike; nor do l anticipate
any such crisis in the future
What, in your opinion asked the
G b reporter with whom Mr.. Pres
colt was conversing, sis the present
outlook for the American Federation Of
LAHORE"
Just now replied President Pres
colt, 81 should say the organization was
in a very good condition. Some time
ago it experienced considerable trouble,
is past and the American Federation Of
Labor is recuperating very rapidly, if
not already in possession Of its former
strength"
How about the last election of the
federation, Mr.. Prescott?" asked the re-
porter.
WELL" replied the gentleman signifi-
cantly, there was strong anti-Gomp-
ers feeling at that time. and, while 1
voted for Mcbride, I do not fail to rec
ognize Gomper's ability as leader and
his knowledge of the industrial situa-
ton. While favored Mcbride 1 think
Gomper's has been greatly misjudged
by many people. The result Of the cleo
ton was ultimately received with gen.
eral favor, though there was some dis
satisfaction among the extreme social
istic labor factions. The printers are
anti-Gompers," concluded President
Prescott "but they are, nevertheless,
agreed that the interests of the men are
in safe and conscientious hands, whose
efforts will be directed to their individ-
ual betterment and the success of the
American Federation of Labor"