Evening star., 1902-09-13

The International Brotherhood of Elec-
trical Workers of America is recognized
by various labor crafts of the United
States as one of a most formidable and
powerful organization. 1t wields an infiu-
ence which is coveted by craftsmen gen.
orally, and is one of the most insistent
workers in behalf of unionism and for the
amelioration of the workingmans cond-
tion. 1t will celebrate its twelfth anniver-
sary. November 2S, the organization hav
ing been formed in 1891 by a small num-
Der of men who met in convention at st.
Louis Mo, and was declared to be an
association for the consolidation, closer
unity and betterment of the employees of
the electrical industries" The first cleo
ton of officers was held the same day,
Henry Miller being chosen president. The
membership of the brotherhood has con-
tinually increased, and Il is now one Of
the largest labor organizations of the
United States.
The local branch of the brotherhood is
known as Union No. 26. 1t was organized
May % 1892, by Mr.. Henry Miller. At the
first election of officers the following gem
tlemen were chosen: President, z. A. Def
fer: vice president, Albert Man; recording
secretary, W. s. Gilbert; financial secre-
tary. Robert Metzel; treasurer, D. S. New
man. foreman, George A. Malone.
The life of Local Union No. % has been
marked with unprecedented success. 1t
has grown in strength, both financially and
numerically. Its present membership Is
about 115. 1t cannot be said that the union
has never experienced storms, for at Vari-
Gus times the very existence of the or
ganization has been threatened and 1t
would have been a thing of the past had 1t
IA
officers and members.
When Local No. % was formed the aver
age wage for a day of from nine to ten
hOurs was s. In the eleven years of its
existence the conditions of the members of
the craft have greatly improved In that
they now receive $3.50 for working day of
eight hours. The union has passed through
two strike periods. coming out victorious IN
each instance.
Its first strike was inaugurated In July,
1899. when electrical workers asked fer
s3 for day of eight hours. After strug-
gle of two weeks a compromise was afrect-
ed between the employers and the strikers,
the terms of which were that the men
should receive $50 for eight hours of Ia
bor with a promise of 8 for eight hours
to become operative the 1st of April follow
ing. This agreement was carried out to the
letter and everything ran smoothly until
July. 1901, when the workers went out on
a strike. demanding 81. 80 for q day of eight
hours This trouble was of short duration,
a union contract was signed between the
strikers and employers. in which the latter
aCceded to the demands submitted. This
contract was made for two years and the
members Of the local are still working un-
der it. Since the signing of the contract
several small difficulties have arisen, but
all have been amicably settled by arbitra
ton. The feeling between the workers and
their employers at present Is of a most
harmonious character and each apparently
works for the betterment of the condition
of the other.
The work Of the members Of Local No. %
may be said to be confined almost entirely
to the interior buildings and comprises
mainly of installing electrical dynamos,
switchboards, lights. fans and inside wir
ing. A sick and death benefit is among the
features OF this organization. 1t is the pur-
pose of the union to maintain scale of
wages and look out for the interests of all
parties concerned in the electrical industry.
1t is estimated that there are over q, 100
union electrical workers in North America.
The entire business of this body of men is
transacted In this city. the headquarters Of
the International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers of North America being located IN
rooms No 1o3 and 104 of the Corcoran
building. The quarters Of the internation
body have been located in Washington hut
a short time. but the officers are already
convinced of the great convenience of be-
ing near the place where laws are enacted.
The international body has a special COM
mittee which looks after all affairs before
Congress interesting the craft generally.
The officers of the international body are:
Grand president, W. A. Jackson of Chica-
go. Ill: first grand vice president. f. A.
LOckman of St.LOuis. Mo; second grand
vice president. II ]. Hurd of Toronto, Can
ada; third grand vice president, j. j. Rey-
nolds Of Minneapolis, Mimi: fourth grand
vice president. C. f. Eaton of Seattle
Washington; fifth grand vice president ].
+. Buckley OF Salt Lake City. Utah; sixth
grand vice president, F. j. McNulty of New
ark. \. j.; grand treasurer. F. J. Sheehan
of Hartford, Conn: grand secretary II.
W. Sherman of Washington, d. c.
The present officers of the Local No. 2f
are: President, Edward Nothnagel; vice
president. V. R. Snyder; recording secre-
tary Harry w. Warthen: treasurer, Frank
r. Holt; financial secretary, George A Ma
lone; press secretary. Arthur Langprey;
executive board, Edward Nothnagel, II. W.
Sherman, c. l.. Ticnor, Harry w. Warthen
Chris Yeabrower, Orln Davis and George
y. Malone.
President Nothnagel halls from New
England. having been born in Meriden
Conn, October ). 1866. When he was ten
years of age his parents removed to New