The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-21
MACHINISTS FORM
AN ORGANIZATION
Two Hundred Of the Employees of the
Dickson Works Meet at
Economy Hall.

About 200 of the employees of the
Dickson Locomotive works. the Dick
son Penn avenue shops, the Delaware,
LackaWanna and Western railroad
shops and other machine shops in the
oity met in Economy hall yesterday
afternoon for the purpose of forming
an organization. The movement is the
outcome of the efforts of the Interna-
tional Association of Machnists to
secure Il nine hour day throughout the
country next spring. The discussion
of the matter by the machinsts in the
various shops in the city has occa-
stoned much inquiry from large pro-
portion of men employed in all the
machine shops, boiler shops. foundries,
etc. as assistants or on q class of work
not requiring Il sufficient amount of
skill to entitle such workman to
membership in any existing order of
Journeyman mechanics.
The machinists' association being
afiiliated with the American Federa-
ton of Labor, is in touch with the
organized blacksmiths, boilermakels,
moulders and patternmakers. but the
considerable proportion of other en-
ployes were not in a position to CO.
operate. These men being anxious to
lnoW what effect Il nine-hour day
would have on them and to prepare
themselves for it,, desired to organize
and cooperate with the organizations
already existing which would be en-
gagged in the movement.
1t is the purpose of all to work in
entire harmony with their companies
and at a later time to in some way
come in touch with the officers of their
companies and secure from them full
information as to the difficulties. If
any, in the way of nine hour day
and If possible remove those difficult
ties. 1t is the desire Of all that MOTH
ing be overlooked which may later
cause dissatisfaction, but that the en-
tire matter of the reduction in hours
and readjustment Of wages be consid-
cred from the standpoint Of both the
companies and the men that there NAV
o no strike while the movement is
pending, nor any grievance committees
from any one class VINO have been
overlooked.
The meeting decided to organize
what the American Federation Of
Labor designates as a Federal Labor
union, the charter for which is ar
ranged To include those who are not
eligible to an association of journey
men mechanics. For the purpose of
securing charter and disposing of
the details of organizing, q temporary
| organization was effected, consisting,
of Humphrey Il. Campbell, who is
president Of the Scranton lodge of the
International Association of Machin-
| lists, as president: John Williams, from
| the Dickson Locomotive shops, record
ing secretary; James Q. Martin, OF the
Dickson locomotive boiler shops, finan-
cial secretary, and Harry Adams. of
the Dickson company's Penn avenue
shops, inside sentinel.
1t was decided to endeaVor to form
| national organization of the same
| class of men now affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor and a
| committee was appointed for the pur-
pose. over eighty men Joined as char
ter members, and il was decided TO
hold the next two meetings open for
the admission Of charter members.
The balance of those present heing af-
| filiated with the machinlsts and other
associations We're not eligible to men,
| bership. but We're present to lend their
aid and support, and We're in hearty
sympathy with the movement.
Before adjournng the president
| spoke a few words to the members,
| telling them they We're not organized
for a strike but TO avoid one, and in
order to have everything so well con-
sidered and arranged before Il move is
made that neither the companies nor
the men would be wronged in any par
ticular and where there was no wrong
there would be no trouble. He also
cautioned them against taking their
company's time for agitating the union
or discussing it, their noon hour being
sufficient, and asked every man to so
conduct himself that his company
would want more union men.
| The meeting adjourned, subject to
the call of the officers when they shall
have received the charter from the
! American Federation OF Labor.