The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27

Although IL is not generally known, the
headquarters of the Saw Smiths National
Union of North America is located in In
dianapolis. The executive offices of the
union have been here for many years. but
on account of their unpretentiousness and
the small office force they are not as prom
inent in the labor world as those of the
larger unions that have headquarters
In the city. The headquarters of the union
are at 351 South Illinois street. c. G.. Wertz
is the secretary-treasurer of the organiza-
ton.
The Saw Smiths National Union is said
to be the smallest national union in Amer
lea; not because of any weakness, but for
the reason that the total number of men
engaged in the saw smith trade is not
nearly so large as in any other trade. The
saw smiths union, although small in num-
bers, is remarkably well organized. With
one exception, it is claimed, the union is
thoroughly organized. The exception Is
one company in Cleveland, where repeated
efforts have been made to bring the men
into the union. From latest reports IL is
said the company will be brought into line
within a very short time.
Indianapolis is the birthplace of this
little union. In 1890 a handful of men en-
ployed at the various branches OF the saw
formed themselves into a definite body,
taking the name Of the Saw Smiths Ma
tional Union of North America. Efforts
were then made to increase the union and
TO make it branch out 10 other cities. A
wide correspondence was carried on and
as a result a few months later another
local union OF the saw smiths was formed
in New York and the third one in Fitch
burg. Mass. About year later a branch
of the organization was formed at Phila-
delphia This was followed by locals at
Chicago, st. Louis, Newark, n. j.. Column
bus, o., and Lawrenceburg, Ind. Through
out the next ten years the union received
unions were formed in different parts of
the country until about a year ago.
when the saw smiths union was carried
into Canada and local established at To-
ronto. one at Cult and one at Montreal.
Last summer step was taken into the
South, and the saw smiths at Atlanta were
brought together into one small body The
various locals of the union are not large,
because Of the unusually small number of
workmen of that trade found in one city.
FINANCIALLY WELL OFF.
However, small numbers do not seem to
retard the progress of the union. Finan-
cially it is able to maintain itself and to
carry on its work much as the larger unions
do. The union has also brought about
many reforms within its ranks, and has
been successful in shortening the hours
of labor and increasing the wages of the
men.
c. G. Wertz, secretary-treasurer of the
union. devotes most of his time to the in
terests of the union. Upon him falls the
greater part of the work of managing the
affairs of the organization, and the office
force consists of practically himself and one
other man. He is very enthusa site about
the work the little union is doing, and says
that ii will not be long before several more
locals are added To the membership.
''I guess there is doubt. said Mr.
WertZ but that we are the smallest ma
tional union in North America. That term
has been applied to us. but L do not be
lieve ii is anything against us, for in the