The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-16
UNION LABOR AFFAIRS.
A Conference OF Representative Iron
MoIdcrs-Othcr Interests.

conference of representatives of the var
ious iron molders' unions in central Indiana
has been called TO meet in this city Jan.
10. The purpose of the meeting is to or
ganize district committee and select a
district agent or president to look after
the interests of the unions in the capacity
of a national officer. This plan has been
adopted in other localities and is considered
very beneficial as well as successful. The
district agent is paid salary and keeps in
touch with all the locals and handles their
grievances. The plan is also more expe-
dent than the old manner of consulting
the national headquarters. The district
committee has regular meetings and is
called in session when necessary.
Inc cities 10 be represented in this dis
trict are Anderson, Muncie, Marion, Peru,
kokomo, Richmond, Columbus, Terre
Haute and Vincennes. The last national
convention gave authority TO adopt this
pan OF organizing districts in communi-
ties that have memberships of one thou
sand. This district has not the required
number, but with Evansville, which is in
another district, the quota will be filled.
Evansville is situated almost in the center
OF the Cincinnati, Nashville, Louisville st.
Louis and Indianapolis districts. and for
that reason the local unions in the central
INDIANA districts hope TO get permission
from the national officers to take in Evans
VILE Otherwise, they Will ask to be
made district without the required num-
Der.
George Custer, business agent of the Iron
holders Union, will go to Peru to-day to
reorganize the Iron Molders' Union of that
city. There has been considerable trouble
at Peru in the last few months, which re-
suited in the disruption of the union but
1T is now settled and the union will be
organized. The managers of the Peru
steel mills discharged all the union men. He
hired superintendent in Pittsburg to take
charge of this plant and the Pittsburg man
brought number of men TO take the
places OF those who had been discharged
The Pittsburg men were members of the
union, but did not know the condition in
Peru until they arrived. Upon the adj
vice of the superintendent the plant was
again unionized and the Peru men were
placed on the pay roll, although all did not
go to work at once. They remained there
upon the promise that they would be given
employment as they were needed, but
finally began to leave until nearly all of the
Peru men had gone and the Pittsburg men
were in charge of the mills. 1t is now the
purpose to organize these men into a
local union.
The BARRIERS Union has at last been or
ganized. After almost week of daily meet
ings Organizer John Feltmann, of Central
Labor Union. yesterday afternoon sue
ceeded in completing the organization, and
a charter was sent for last night. The
union starts off with a very creditable
membership. There have been several
BARRIERS unions in this city. but they were
of short duration. The last one came to an
end in 1898. The trouble then was of the
kind that prevented the BARRIERS from
organizing last summer-Sunday closing.
At that time the union closed the shops on
Sunday, but when it was found that some
of the strongest supporters of the union
were shaving behind blinds" the organ
ization went TO pieces. 1t is thought that
the union will pursue a more conservative
course this time, and it is not believed by
those identified with ii that a Sunday clos
| ing rule will be adopted.
The Brewery Drivers Union will hold a
| meeting at 125 South Delaware street this
afternoon to take steps towards getting
all the brewery drivers and stablemen in
| the city into the union.