The times., 1897-05-02

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ORGANIZATIONS of all kinds, whether so
cial or literary, religious or political, always
point with pride to those OF their associates
who have risen to positions of prominence
in their ow n ranks, or otherwise gained dis
tinction among their fellow men. This is
especially true of the members OF organiza-
tions formed among the laboring classes,
no matter to which OF the two great labor
bodies they may belong
From the ranks of the workmen of the
country have risen Con gressmen, statesena-
tors. and legislators and ward bosses
galore, and of these the lahoring men IN
very many instances have just cause TO be
proud But while many of the labor or
ganizations of the country have reason TO
be proud of the prominence attained by
their meIabers, the distinction OF having
President Of the United states enrolled as
member belongs solely to the JourneyInen
taiiors of Washington.
Tie taiiors cr this city, it is claimed.
were among the first OF the craftsmen TO
form an association for mutual protection.
The first society, it is said, was formed
AWAY lack in the tweniies, and frem that
time to the present it is alleged that an IN
broken existence has been tnaintitined
For nearly half century they ,nainialnei
ell independent organization, forming no al
fiIiation with the labor movement until IN
the seventies.
1t was just before this. in 1866, that a
coruIEnt,ee of the Tailors' Society called
upon President Andrew Johnson at the
White House and reques ed that he enroll
his maine as @ member OF the society.
President johnson, as is wen known, vas
bv trade a Tailor and without the slightest
hesitation acceded to the wish OF his
follower ftslnen, and became an honoiafy
and contributing member OF the Washington
Society Of Tailors Mr.. johnson. ii is
said, was a member of the TailOrs' Union
at his home in GreenviIle, Tenn, for many
years, and, although in the excitement OF
polftics jgsi after the war he allowed bis
working card to '.run out, ne retained his
union principles as was testified 10y his
signature 10 the rcn OF the local Taiiors'
Union
THE local tailors have ever been consid-
cred a conservative body; their motto
was Mutual Protection, and their meth
cd of securing this was by individual ef-
fort 10 theinterest Of their employers, rather
than by combination against them. The
tailors have always been active supporters
of the rights OF all other sister labor organ
izations. in the formation of m1nyof which
they took an active interest
In1 1888 the elecal union joined the knights
OF Labor nd was known aSL. A No. 231O
1t retained its membership in that order
until 1892 Some OF the members, becom-
ing dissatisfied with the methods OF the
knights of Labor, withdrew and formed
separate organization. The seceGers az
filiated with the Journeymen Tailors
Union OF America, but somehow the new
union never attained TO much influence
locally. with either the employed or the
employers.
Ii soon became evident to the seceders
and the charter member taiiors as wei that
there was not room in Washington for two
organisations of the same craft, so that
IN 89S aud S94 efforts were made tocon-
solidla1. the two bodies. The efforts proved
fruitiess: the members of both organiza-
tions were honest in their convictions as
to the best means of advancing the inter
ests of the craft, and neither would give
up their national affihstion. This state
of affairs existed until lS96, when joint
was appointedto formulate sumo
pIaa for closer union anon gthelocal tailors
After several meetings it was determined
that the only means of attaining this end
was for both the local organizations TO give
up the national connections and form an
independent body.
The recommendation of the Joint COM
mittee was adopted at meetings Of both
organizations held on the Sunday night
of Fekruary Is, 1886. On the following
day both the local bodies surrendered the
charters. and on the following Sunday,
February g, at Costello's Hall, the jour
neynen Tailors Protective Union OF Wash
ington was organized.
The organization since its formation has
maintained an independent position in
all matters pertaining to the advancement
of the welfare of the local wage-earners.
1t is representedin the local Federation OF
Labor, whichis also an independent body
composed of representatives OF trade
unions and knights of Labor assemblies
The new tailors' union is very strong
numerically and is considered a power
fui factor in the settlement of all local
labor troubles.
Within the last few weeks the I. T. q.
has reorganiZed union No. lis. It's mem
bership at present is small, but is said to
he rapid increasing, and its foster
fathers are hopeful of soon acquiring
membership equal to that OF the present
organization. THE new snnion is affiliated
with the Ameri can F Federation Of Labor, and
is represented in the Central Labor Union.
The Independent Tailors' Union hunters
ri. ull foT-
meriy belonging to the two old unions,
and many more. They are an earnest
dprogressivese Of men, andhaye always
been at the front in the battles for the
betterment OF the conditions of the wage
earners of the city.
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