The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-15
UNION PRINTERS DEMANDS
THE UNITED TYPoTHETAE REJECT
TIE CONFERENCE BOARD PLAM

In the National Convention OF the United
Typothete took place this afternoon and
turned upon tho associations attitude toward
the International Typographical Union. 1t
was plain throughout the discussion that the
members OF the Typothet@ have little conf
dence In the International typographical
Union. and entertain the belief that the union.
or its officers at least. are an antagon istio ele-
ment. Tho debate was precipitated by the
clause in a subcommittee report which
read:
Whereas. 1t Is desirable. 80 far as possible,
to prevent strikes on the one hand and look
outs on the other. and forestall the losses
which come to all parties to such violent con-
troversies; and It is believed that. In some
cases at least. good might result by our associ-
. alton having permanent committee to con-
fer with similar committee from the Inter-
national Union affected therefore be 1t
"Resotred. That the Executive Committee be
and Is hereby authorized to act as a perman
Board OF Conference and Cancellation for tho
purpose to meet similar com m ttees from the
other trade organization in the endeavor to
reach mutual agreement on disputed points
without resortinR to force on either side"
A. H. Pugh. Of Cincinnati objected to tho
resolution. and asserted that 1t was recogni-
tion that the union had power to dictate
He said:
II do not mind being called scab printer
by members OF the typographical unions or
by compositors, but do not want to be called
'scab printer by mon on the floor OF this con-
vention. 1t irritates me and makes me feel
that tho unity which We desire will never be
attained. do not want to see action taken
here that will cause men now with us and
friendly to us to withdraw aud say and plead
and protest against any such action Us this"
Mr. Pugh said that as a non union man he
was compelled to agree to the dictates Of the
Syracuse Convention for nne and half hour
day in order to stand by tho union printers
who were pledged to do so. He said fatty that
the typographical union has broken its agree
ments and that in non-union Office estab
lshed for sixty-seven years. he never had
trouble until he acceded to the unions de-
mands.
j. ]. Little OF New York thought Mr.. Pugh
took took radical q view OF the matter. and
he urged the passage OF the resolution in
spirit Of fairness in order to be able to say to
the union that the master printers were will
ing to discuss all controversies fairly and to do
the I'm ployees full justice.
George II. Ellis took the same view as Mr.
Little. but Robert J. Morgan OF Cincinnati
turned the scale. and in a speech from the plat
form urged with great force that the resolution
be killed. He asserted that the unions had not
kept their promise. and furthermore that he
would not believe President Donnelly OF the
International Union under oath. He said whom
trouble was brewing. Donney or his officers
could not be found. They would secretly come
to a city stop at an obscure hotel. and after
being on the ground two or three weeks. then
there would be trouble Ia the shop. and Don
nelly would come round to settle 1t.
Mr.. Pugh. speaking again. recited the glst OF
an agreement which tho stersotypers' union
presented to him. The agreement demanded
that the employer well as the employees
-. ,,1.. tl,.k al tAI
that might be adopted by the stersotypers
union. and that no one but union stereotypers
be employed. There were also arbitrary stric-
lures regarding apprentices which placed the
teaching OF trade entirely In the control OF the
union.
The recollections OF this agreement made
Mr. Pugh angry. and he said:
Can you blame me because I asked. whom
their committee came to me. Who are you p
and that told them to Get out OF here2'"
After more debate the most OF which was
unfavorable to the resolution. Mr.. Donnelly OF
Chicago said that to pass such resolution
would be to indicate fear OF the unions at the
outset. No matter in what manner the COM
mittee dealt with the unions. the fact that they
would meet them would be considered by the
unions as a sign OF weakness.
THE officers OF the unions" said Mr. Don
nelly. ARE supposed to do something during
their term OF offloe or they will not be re-
elected Last year they got the nine and a
half hour law and now they want to obtain the
rule that none but union foremen be EN-
p!oyed. 1 want to ask. therefore. that II the
Executive Committee OF this organization be
empowered to make any agreements with the
International Typographical Union. r. r. Don
nelys Sons be considered out ofit"
By a nearly unanimous vote the resolution re-
gardinR a conference with the typographical
union was stricken out, the general opinion OF
the convention being that the typographical
union Is aiming ct gaining control OF rhe
printing Offices to the detriment OF the inter-
ssts OF employing printers. and that no such
action as that outlined in tho resolution should
be passed by the convention. 1t was also
recommended that tho Executive Com
mittee be directed to press upon the
labor unions their obligation to endeavor to
bring about an equalization Of the scale oil
wages in competitive districts In accordance
with the Syracuse agreement The committee
heartily commended the action reported az &c
asce raining the cost OF machine composition
and press work. and recommended that the
Executive Com mittee be directed to institute
an investigation Of tho like character through
out the entire country and report results to the
next annual meeting.
Then the union label was taken up and Mr.
Pugh figured as the leader OF the crusade
against 1t. He said that he did not believe the
action taken last year quite touched the spot
and he had a resolution he wished to have
adopted. He said the label not only caused at
tacks from tho unions but from his union com
petitors. who. when Job was in question woulc
say: "Pugh is a scab printer. You can't ge
your work done there with the union label"
II cut my price 10 per cent" Mr. Pugi
added. Il say to the party who wants thu
work: Which would you rather have. the
label or a 10 per cent. reductiopT'
Mr.. Pugh thought that the label was re-
kponsible for good deal OF rate cutting. Hi
resolution. which was as follows was adopted
without protest:
"Resolued. That the United TypothetG o
America views with regret any willingness oil
the part OF the members Of any local organiza
ton to curry favor with labor unions by allow
ing the union label to be attached to worl
being done In their offlces.
"Resolred That the convention earnest