Evening star., 1902-08-02

There is no stronger or more popular labor
craft than the Columbia Lodge, No. la, of
the International Association of Machinists'
Although it Is but eleven vars old, 1t COM
mands very high place among the several
trades, is recognized as one of the Leading
spirits of unionism in the national capltai
and ranks among the foremost with Its IN
ternational body which, by the way, mas us
headquarters in this city.
Its officers, like its members, are recos-
nized as the most efficient machinlsts OF the
United States. Its high standing is due
solely to the incessant efforts of its ofhcers'
who are conceded to be among the very
best authorities on labor in this city
Columbia Lodge was organized AprIl IL
1891, by Michael Shea, member Oh Atlah-
ia Lodge. There were but thirty-four char-
ter members, and they at the hrst electioh
chose Mr.. Shea president. The organlza-
tion has had steady growth from lts plrth,
and now has 800 members. Ninety per cent
of these members are employees of the
Washington navy yard. The OBJECT Oh the
organization is to promote the interests VI
the machinlStS craft. 1t is socldi, pele
fetal, fraternal and labor organization, ana
during the year 1901 paid out OF ITS treas
ury $500 for sick and death dement's.
The lodge is one of the many locals Oh the
International Association of Machnlsts al.
lllditu WITH lne American IEdSioSAo
Labor. During the first seven years OF its
existence the organization experienced hiany
ups and downs until the spring ol lo9o,
when the great influx of men 10 the haVdl
gun factory at the outbreak OF the wal
with Spain caused the large increase IN us
membership. Since that time the lodge mas
been especially active in behalt OF the III
terestS of the craft generally.
The first great success OF Colunlpla L0uSe
was in securing the passage OF Dill py
Congress granting extra compensation 10
the employees of navy yards anu naEal SD.
tions amounting to % per cent Oh the tiiile
worked in excess of eight hours per Gay
during the war. The result of this leglso
lation was the distribution OF S6oooo
among 1900 American WorklnsneIl'
Through the efforts of an efhclent wage
committee data was secured ana presented
to the wage board of the Washington navy
yard, showing that the character Oh work
considered the machiniStS IN the gun ldC-
tory were underpaid, as compared Win lle
prevailing rate of wages IN shops IN nearby
cities. The result was raise OF per cent cent,
affecting loo machinists, ana increasing
the aggregate of their monthly salaries "
the extent of $1,000 per month. II Is
claimed by the members of the louse tnat
the machinists at the navy yard are sun
underpaid as compared with the wages pald
in otner cities. 80
Columbia Lodge had long considered that
in the matter of annual leave with pay the
per diem employees of navy yards ana
arsenals were unjustly dlscrlmlnaIeu
against The lodge considered that 1t had
just grievance, and, upon placing the mat
ter in the proper light before Congress,
Joint resolution introduced granting
annual leave of fifteen days, with pay, TO
all employees of the navy yards, arsehaIs
and naval stations of the United States
government In this matter the local or
ganization was supported by Its sister
lodges in all parts of the country. rms
resolution was passed by both houses OF
Congress- and was signed by the late PreSl-
iplkV February l OF last
wear. This enactment affected 10000 skilled
mechanics.
Throughout it's existence and never more
than at the present time. the relations be-
tween Columbia Lodge and the executive
officers of the of the Navy Department and
navy yards have been of the most cordlai
nature. Its policy has always peeh con con-
servative, yet ever aggressive 1t beleVes
in the subserviency of the rights of the lew
to the good of many.
The international Association Of Machin-
lists has set forth in its many arguments
that they believe it to be the natural right
of those who toll to enjoy to the fullest pos
sible extent the wealth created by their Ia
Dor: and realizing that under the changing
industrial conditions Of our times the enor-
nous growth of syndicates and other ag-
gregations of capital, it is impossible for
them to obtain the full reward for their Ia
Dor except by united action.
They declare that organization, based on
sound principles and directed by conserva-
tive intelligence, furnishes the best medium
by which they can acquire more equitable
share of the wealth which they create; also
TO promate the general welfare Of its mem
bers by improving the machinists' trade
and social conditions, thereby elevating the
plane of citizenship. and by assisting each
other in all matters relating to the machine
Industry. unite and soldify it in all its va
rious branches. They have therefore
pledged themselves to labor unitedly in be-
half Of the principles they set forth, to per-
petuate their order on the basis Of friend
ship and justice, to expound their objects
and work for their general adoption: to re-
spect and obey the laws laid down for the
organiza tion's guidance and government,
and to always labor for its success. know
ing. as they do, that when they work as a
body no reasonable demand they may make
can be denied them.
The International body aims to bring
within the folds Of organization every COM
petent machinist who Is actively engaged
at the trade or connected with it who has
worked at the trade four years or more,
and who is in receipt of the average rate
of wages paid in the District or city in
which he is employed; to adopt. carry out
and put in operation an effective plan for
keeping it's members employed: to endeavor
to secure a legal apprenticeship system of