Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-21

That within the next twelve months all
the printing offices and shops of this city
will have the imprint of the union label on
all work turned out by them cannot be
doubted or questioned-that is. if the Wash
iHgton Allied Printing Trades Council con-
tiHues to increase in influence. This adj
vance has been accomplished through the
efforts of the officials of that body. 1t is
stated that the number of printing shops
using the label have increased 50 per cent
within the last year or two. When the
imprint of this label is a printed
document it means that it is the product of
union labor.
Labels as a method of bringing increased
business are as old patent laws, but
were generally used by shrewd business adj
vertisers under the protection of our regis
try laws. The application of the label to
union affairs is comparatively of quite re-
cent date, and probably the matters and
cigarmakers were the first trade unions to
utilize its advantages. However this may
be, ii is certain that the organized printing
trades were slow in realizing its advan-
tages, for II was not until 1885 that an al
lance was entered into by the three inter
national bodies. and one of the most i'm
portant features of this alliance was the
creation of the Allied Printing Trades label
This alliance was signed a Philadelphia.
Pa. June ~, 1885. and the cOnfereeS on the
part of the International Typographical
Union were Messrs. w. B. Prescott, F. j.
Boyle and George Chance. Messrs Ben
jamin Boden, W. b. Hyde and John NJ
Touey acted for the boOkbinders, while
Messrs. Jesse Johnson. Benjamin Thompson
and T. F. GaloskOwsky represented the
Vressmeu.
This alliance is what is commonly known
as the "tripartite agreement" and from
TINS date the label has stood as the insignia
of organized printerdOm.
The frin
presidents of the International organiza-
lions and their associates was only the be-
ginning of the great work to be accom-
plIShed. They had prescribed in the label
adopted a birthmark for uniOnism in the
printing trades. and here their work ended.
Into the hands of the local was placed the
great task of bringing this birthmark to
the favorable attention of the public. To
accomplish this trades unionists could not
follow the expression of the great railroad
millionaire, but with the public their motto
has been Hear our argument The label
was new to business men. and to social
and benevolent organizations. and likewise
1t was an innovation to the employing
printer. The skilled hand of the printer
diplomat was necessary to blend these in
terests and bring about mutual under
standing, which would be beneficial to all
parties concerned
This. it is claimed. has been the basic
principle which has dominated the Allied
Printing Trades Council of Washington
When the officials of the council asked
an tIhplpEtT 10 dOOpI me union label,
which. practically. a request to union
lie his establishment, they carried with it
this request. in a well-poised hand of JUS
tee, benefits which they have promised
would accrue; when they requested the
business man to adopt the label on his
printed matter they pointed out to him
that their part of the bond was an assur-
ance of an enlarged trade by his printing
falling into sympathetic hands, represent
ing more than three thousand of the best
wage earners and consumers in Washing
Ton; when they have asked the charitable
and benevolent organizations to RECOGNIZE
this little device they have reminded them
that the widows mite flows freely from the
hand Of toll to the INDECENT and the dis
tressed. Thus throughout the list of their
policy in extending the label has been ore
OF good will. with conservative pressure TO
accomplish their purpose
The Washington Allied Printing Trades
Council dates from 1896 when Mr. William
b Hyde. formerly president of the Inter
national Brotherhood of Bookbinders was
chosen president. and Mr.. William H.
smith. a member of the Stereotypers'
L Mon. secretary.
These officers served throughout that
year. and in the early part of 1897 Mr.
James D. Mckinnon, president of the
printing Pressmens Union, No. l. was
chosen president. with Mr. f. ]. Roche,
from Bookbinders' Union. as vice president,
ana Mr. G. F. SUdwarth. from Columbia
typographical Union, secretary. Mr.. Sud-
Waith only served part of his term, and
from Columbia Union. Mr.. f. ]. Roche
was elected president in 1895 with a Mr.
Hart as'Tiee president and Mr. T NJ
Ring as secretary. The officers for the wear
OF 1879 were Mr.. l.. J. Roche. president;
Mr. W. 5. Whitmore vice president and
Mr. John +. Fulenwiier, secretary For
the last two years-1901 and 1902-Mr c.
+. Clark and Mr.. a. Thomas Campbell
have acquitted themselves creditabIy as
president and secretary, respectively
President Clark was appointed to the AL
lied Printing Trades Council from Column
bia Typographical Union. No. 16l, in June
l%on In February of the following year
he was chosen president of the organiza-
non ana was Reelected to that office again
In February last.
Mr. Clark came to this city from Omaha
Neb.. in February. 1850 and has been ac-