The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-22
BANQUET FOR DELEGATES
ASSOCIATION AT THE
GRAND HOTEL.
Mayor Taggart Was Not Present and
John w. Kern Talked-GOod
Speeches and Music.

The Commercial Club and Central Labor
Union gave a banquet to the delegates to
the national convention of the Amalga-
mated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin
Workers, last night, at the Grand. The
spread was laid for about 300, but not all
the places were occupied.
State Factory Inspector McAbee. acted as
POSTMASTER. Mayor Taggart was to have
offered the first toast on Our City," but
he was not present. and City Attorney
John w. Kern spoke in his stead. Mr.
Kern was also on the programme for "The
Protection of Labor by Legislation" and
he combined the two. He extended warm
welcome to the delegates and then took up
the latter subject. He spoke of the labor
laws of Indiana as being the best of any
State in the union, beginning with the
progress of the labor legislation when men
were not permitted to belong to unions, I'M
til the law was passed holding the right of
workingmen to belong to organized labor
the same as to any association or church.
Theodore Shaffer, president of the asso-
citation, responded with Our Silver Jubi-
This is the first occasion the Amalga-
since the organization was born, nearly
twenty-five years ago. cannot say If
star shone over the birthplace of that
child. but I do know that it was born in
darkness, in stiffness and in secrecy. When
the child was discovered there was furry
among the corporations and an effort to
destroy. Then came trials and troubles.
The first attack was made but the child
withstood it. second attempt was made,
a third, aud so on, but the child grew in
strength until it now stands in perfect
manhood.
.aThe lessons taught In that proken prog
ress have made their impression, the ex-
periences and learning were such as TO
principle behind the movement 1t was an
ambitious child. friends educated II, kind
hands nurtured 1t, and from childhood 1t
repeated storms have come over us, the
Amalgamated Association of Iron. Steel
and Tin Workers stands to-day In the full
est attainment Of manhood, strength and
endurance.
There is fault in supposing that am
a man of education. What education 1
received was while the fywheel was whir-
ring and the smoke filled the air with its
denseness and odor. In these conditions
were my lessons learned. But these young
men here have obtained an education in
a different way. The songs they have sung
snow culture equal 10 any and they are
men OF the rolling mill. We have young
men of horse sense; they are men of the
rolling mill. We have young men educated
in mathematics until they can calculate
equal to the most learned professors; they
are men Of the rolling mill. We have men
of ability and education who bow their
brows and are capable of passing Judgment
for themselves in all things; they are men
of the rolling mill. So with this type of
manhood representing organized labor.
there need be no fear Of intrusting the So
luton of the labor problem and the social
question to them. 1t can safely be left to
them and 1t will come to the proper con-
ciusion."
John L. Blue. president Of Central Labor
Union, and Ed Gould, editor of the Union,
also spoke on the Benefits Derived from
a Central Body" and 1.-The Labor Press"
respectively
The programme was interpreted with
music by double quartet, duets and
solos, all by members OF the association
The double quartet was composed of eight
men who work in mills in different cities
In Indiana and was got together for the
occasion. Their singing did not betray their
occupation and compared favorably with
cultured talent Rees Lewis and Owen
Davis sang the duets. each sung q solo,
and I'd Jones also sang. Owen Jones, an
ether metal worker 1oc1tod- All were en-
9ot@4 44t~704 49,