The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-01

America he would note many surprising
things. Although prior to that time there
were societies OF the working classes. they
we're entirely local. and their objects were
social enjoyment and recreation. Even the
organizations OF Industry that were recog-
nized in the opening decade Of the century
We're small and confined TO a few of the
larger WI along the coast. Trade union
ism being the result OF industry. il did not
make itself felt to any alarming extent I'M
Ill the latter half Of the century.
The New York Society of Journeymen
shipwrights, Incorporated in April. 1905, is
said to be the first authentic trade union
fa America. In 1906 a union of the house
carpenters OF the city OF New York was
incorporated, and later a printers union,
called the New York Typographical Soci-
ETY.. came into existence. but was not incor-
porafed until 1918. IN 1923 the shipwrights
and calkers OF the city Of Boston incor-
: porated under a charter granted by the
state Legislature. The charter provided
for Individual and benevolent benefits. a
strike is recorded as having occurred in
Albany in 1921, where the printers had or
EanIzed a society for the protection OF their
trade. About this time several labor pa
pers began to be published in New York
md Boston. Although the circulation OF
ne papers was Smdll, lnelf pOllCy was
adical, and they tended to draw together
he working classes. After 1875 the growth
" trade unionism ~quickened, and those
already launched became quite strong, while
others appeared amid the different indus
tries of the country. Compared to the
unions OF to-day. however. these early or
ganizations OF workingmen were weak and
considerably opposed by employers and the
public press OF the cities. In many in
stances the laws were brought upon them.
and they were fined and thrown into jail
for refusal to work. The unions were
charged as being against religion and good
morals by papers of the country attempting
10 disrupt them. At one time, in Boston,
the merchants combined and subscribed to
= s2o.o 900 fund with which to crush the or
ganization of shipwrights and calkers.
CENTRAL LABOR BODIES.
The central labor bodies representing
various organizations OF working people
did not appear until early in the thirties.
In 1883 the Central Trades Union Of New
York was formed. with representatives
from the different unions of the city. How
ever. the combination seems to have been
more in name than in power. and exerted
Little influence toward central organization.
here was more or less politics in the
|olicy OF the early unions, and it was not
nntil the mission Of the organizations was
made plainly prominent that they began
TO progress along the right lines.
The first fruit OF organized labor was
gathered in the latter part of the thirties,
when the workingmen of Boston secured
n shortening OF the working day. In 1910
President Van Buren, ordered that the
working day be ten hours in the navy
yards at Washington and in government
Offices. During the next few years the
unions succeeded in lettering the condi-
tions Of they members in sundry ways.
The year s5o marks the date of the first
Trade union in the United States.
as called the Journeymen Printers So
and later became the international
graphical Union, which is one OF the
organized unions in the country to-
The union rapidly spread throughout
FORK. New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
nd. Later it granted charters to
n Canada. The typographical union
p have led the way, for Immediately
had made its strength national
lions followed In its wake. During
es about five national unions were
cmed. including the hatters, the steel
and iron workers and the iron molders.
Trade unionism was severely set back by
the civil war. but at the close of the war
the movement again progressed and spread
rapidly. After the war the growth was
much faster than at any previous time,
and within a few years trades unionism
had advanced for beyond the point it had
reached when stopped by the war. The
reason for this is ascribed to the increased
Industries after the war and the growth
~ where unions always took root
there were cities OF any size OF
commercial Importance the labor unior
was soon to be found among some of its
numerous industries. Once instituted ir
one industry OF a city. it was not ionp
until the workingmen Of other industrie.
fell in with ideas OF organization and pro.
cceded to act.
DUE TO CONCENTRATION.
The concentration OF people and indus.
RES in cities was an impetus TO the
growth OF the unions and soon a system OF
organization sprang up that kept pace Will
" industry. Large undertakings in which
great capital was invested, which wa:
characteristic OF the period Just followin;
the civil war, were also advantageous I,
the labor organizations. 1t was durins
these rapid changes OF American industr,
that many OF the unions that are stronges
to-day we're organized. The Brotherhood
or the Footboard was the unique title O
an organization OF locomotive engineers
formed In Detroit. This union finally be
cams the Brotherhood OF Locomotive Ensi
neersS In 1854 and 1866 the cigar maker
and tire brickiayers and masons organize,
on a national basis. The conductors OF II
1ino,s formed a national alliance In 1868. tn
movement starting in Mendoza. The ma
tional movement once started. other union
took 1t up readily and the period saw a gen
era1 strengthening Of all branches OF or
ganfxatt,n.
The unions were much opposed b. mer
chants and employers, but despite the oppo
siticn they gradually gained strength unit
to-day some OF them enlist under their ban
ners hundreds or thousands OF wage earn
ers and have I'm their treasures almost
million dollars. The development of IN
union has gone on silently and unosten
tztiously 10 the outsider. and though thei
defeats have been more than few. they hav
continued to nova forward with the indus
tries or the country.
81 HOLDERS ON STRIKE.