Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-06-17

convention IN 1889 N the city OF new Ork.
Knowing some Of your representative
members of our own city, I have easily
known that you are able craftsmen and
good citizens, and that you have a fine
best. But 1 was instructed and enlight-
ened when 1 sought from one Of my friends
in the District union an authoritative def
milton of the word pressmen.' In re-
Spouse to the question, Who Is a press
man.? he said, among other things. He is
a man who is like the fairies of old in that
everything he touches turns to gold. He
is the man that brings out in relief the
handiwork of the engrayers and the com
positors. Where they all leave off he must
begin. He brings their thoughts to perfec-
ton. He must have the eye of the Ameri-
can eagle and the touch Of a Michael An
gelo.'
Other Addresses.
Mr.. F. w. Palmer, public printer. follow
ed Mr. Macfarland. He Endorsed all that
had been said in welcoming the delegates.
He spoke of the growing popularity Of
Washington as a convention city. 1t de-
served this popularity, he said. and pre-
dicted that the delegates would know the
reason for 1t before the week was over.
Mr.. Palmer concluded by inviting the con-
vention to visit the government printing
Office.
Mr.. George H. Harries spoke next. He
recalled the years he had spent as prin-
ter, and said that "once printer always
printer" represented his sentiments.
There were many treats in store for the
delegates. he said and on behalf Of the
Board Of Trade he was pleased to extend
a most cordial welcome.
Samuel Gompers, president of the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor continued the
welcome on behalf of organized labor. He
called attention to the fact that it was
not always that labor organizations had
been graciously welcomed in the past.
The change, however, was honorable and
a TO a a
of organization was not yet finished,
and would not be, far as the pressmen
were concerned until every craftsman was
q member of a union and every union was
enrolled on the books of the international
organization. further step was to fed
crate the International Union with all
other organizations of the same character.
making a great confederation of all work
ers. This movement was going rapidly
forward, he said, and was meeting with
greater success than it had ever done in
the history of the world.
Voice of Board of Trade.
Mr.. John Joy Edison. president Of the
Board Of Trade, who arrived late, next
spoke. He wished to emphasize the well
come which had been extended. He said
there was no labor d IMITATION that had
not his sympathy, and he hoped that the
convention would be eminently successful
in every way. He argued that just so far
successful. Mr.. Edison said he was once
farmer boy, and that he had worked in
a blacksmith shop. He knew what labor
was, and no movement for it's betterment
was without his sympathy.
Mr.. T V. Powderly, commissioner general
of immigration, followed Mr.. Edison. He
said he had noticed that Mr.. mcfarland
had not extended the freedom of The city.
But" he added. amid laughter, Il sup
pose he took it for granted that you would
take it, any way"
Mr.. Powderly told the delegates to come
to the Treasury Department. and he would
show them where the money was kept, al
though he would not guarantee that they
could take any of it away. Mr.. Powdery
followed up MIR. Gomper's remarks on or
ganization. Laboring men themselves had
brought about the change and made them
selves respected He told the delegates to
look for the label of organization on what
ever they purchased, and to continue the
work of the past.
Mr.. E. NJ. Lawson, president of the local
Typographical Union, told the convention
that his organization had met yesterday
and passed resolutions thanking the press
men for meeting in the. Temple and well
coming them to the city.
Mr.. Ramsey then relinquished the gavel
to James H. Bowman, president of the con-
vention. Mr.. Bowman said it was with
great pride that he took charge of the con-
vention for the third time. 1t would be the
last time He wanted to thank everybody
for everything, he said. He concluded by
calling the convention formally to order.
Delegate Moran moved at once that daily
report of the meetings should be taken
verbatim and printed, and this order was
made.
Chairman Bowman announced the ap-
pontment of Delegate M. f. Flanagan as
sergeant-at-arms. and a credentials COM
mittee consisting of Delegates Emil Peter
son, Daniel Healy, Al. Hardesty Thomas
Wood and Ed. Dwyer.
1t was announced that on account of the
illness OF Mrs. Mckinley the President
would be unable to receive the delegates
at the White House this afternoon. In
place OF the reception the ladies of the
convention were taken carriage riding
Afternoon Session.
AT o'clock the convention met for bust
ness, the first of which was to listen to the
annual reports Of its officers.
president Bowman's report which was
presented first, was a comprehensive re-
view OF all matters pertaining to the or
ganization which had received attention
curing the past year. Mr.. Bowman has
been president of the organization for
three years, and will not again be a can
didate.
The organization, he said. had every rea-
son Tor congratulatiOn on the past years
showing. Steady advancement had been
made in every way. Rules had been per-
1ected governing the alliance with the
typographical and bookbinders interna-
t1onal organizations! This matter was of
paramount Importance, and Mr. Bowman
dwelt on 1t at length. The dealings of the
organization with the Federation Of Labor
during the past year were reported in de-
tail, and included report Of the Chicago
trouble, in which the A F. of L. had rem
dered the newspaper pressmen assistance
Among the things to be considered at the
present meeting Mr.. Bowman mentioned
the establishment Of a journal on larger
scale than the present organ. He also rec
commended that the Office of president be
made a salaried position, so that the per
son filling it could devote all his time to
the Worl'.
Washington Strike
There had been some strikes during the
year. he said, but none Of serious char
acter One Of these strikes was ordered in
Washington, but was not executed In
reference TO this matter, the presidents re-
port says:
"A strike was called by the president of
the Pressfeeders Union, No. AZ, of Wash
ington. d. c., which. after having been
submitted to the executive board in session
in Chicago. was sanctioned by your execu-
tive board on February 10, 1901. The fact
of the strike being sanctioned was wired to
the president of No. l. with instructions to