The Washington times., 1903-08-14
LOCAL IS SUSTAINED
IN THE BIRDSALL CASE
StereOtypers and Electro
typars in Closed Session.
FIFTH DAY OF CONVENTION
Electrotype Molders and Finishers to
Have Representation on Executive
Committee.

Immediately after call of roll and the
reading of the minutes this morning the
Stereotypers and Electrotypers' conven-
vention went into executive session to
consider the Birdsall case.
The committee on appeals is divided
on the report and so bitterly has the
case been fought that it has taken up
twice the time expected. Delegate A. T.
O'Donnell. vice president of the New
York Union. from which this case was
appealed, has been prosecuting the case.
Local Is Sustained.
At HID the convention returned to
open session, the report of the com
mittee on appeals on the Birdsall case
having been adopted in executive ses-
sion This report sustained the action
taken by New York Union No. l in ex-
Polling Birdsall, thereby reversing the
decision of President Freel and the ma
jority of the executive council.
The convention further recommended
| that BirdsalI be permitted to serve out
his term of apprenticeship in the regu-
| lar manner.
In open session the convention con-
sidered the question of changes in the
makeup of the executive council. The
law committee reported unfavorable
the proposition of Delegate Thixton. of
Washington, to increase the number of
| executive officers as now existing
namely. president, vice president and
secretary-treasurer. by adding a second
| and a third vice president, the second
and third vice presidents to be electro
type molders or finishers.
The law committee then put forward a
substitute measure which provided that
the number of executive officers should
be three, as at present, but that there
should be two more members of the ex-
| ecutive council. both of whom should
be electrotypers. one an electrotype
molder. and the other an electrotype
| f1nisher. This report was adopted by
the convention.
Invitation to Typos.
| Delegate Burke, of Cincinnati. offered
resolution to send greeting from
the I. S. E. U. to the l. T. L., congratu-
lating the sister organization upon the
| success of her convention, and extend
| ing to her an invitation to visit the
I. S. E. U. in convention assembled.
| This resolution was unanimously adopt
/ ca.
| President Freel announced to the con-
vention that he had accepted the invita-
ton OF the I. T. U. to visit them his
afternoon.
The proposition of Delegate Steadman,
New York, No. l. to require members Of
| subordinate unions TO work five years
at their trade before being granted trav-
cling cards was favorably reported by
the law committee and adopted by he
convention.
The law committee reported unfavor-
ably on Delegate Gannon's proposition
| for trade autonomy, and the convention
concurred in the report
Delegate Thixton's proposition regard
| ing an interchange of cards by the l. S.
E. U. with the unallied unions of Can
ada was reported unfavorably by The
( law committee, and after discussion,
the convention concurred in the report.
To Visit C. P. o.
Delegate Thixton announced to the
| ing Office would be open for the inspec-
| tion of the delegates this afternoon IN
til 1870, and expressed the hope that as
many as possible would avail them
selves Of the opportunity to visit the
| great workshop.
After adjournment an impromptu ses-
sion was held to discuss what tokens of
| esteem and appreciation the convention
| should bestow upon the local unions
and the entertainment committee for the
reception that had been given the Wis
itors. Several propositions were dis
cussed, but no conclusion was arrived
at.
| The convention reassembled at o'clock
J this afternoon.
Local Option to Prevail.
| The principal question before the con-
vention yesterday afternoon was wheth
er OF not the local unions should decide
/ the number of days a week their men
| should work. and the number of hours
/ constituting a days work.
After debate it was decided by the con-
| vention that local option in these mat