The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02
The Past Few Years Have Witnessed
wonderful Growth I'm the
= Organization.
TALK WITH SECRETARY DUFFY
HE FURNISHES STATISTICS OF THE
NATIONAL BROTHERHOOD.
Men who Have Served the Prin-
eipal Omcers-Local and Gem
eraI Labor News.

fsm- IL Is Wanted as one of the questions
Of the time. Everything concerning unions
and unionism is interesting. is eagerly read.
because 1T enters into the question and
great many people. some of whom talk
with authority. do not understand the ques-
ton
Indianapolis is union city. Almost every
craft in the field of labor is unionized or
becoming so. It's central position is max
ing IL the headquarters of the organiza-
fions. Two Of the largest unions in the
country. the United Mine Workers and
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners. now have their executive offices In
this city. The latter organization is prob
ably the larger in point of members and
reaches over a greater sweep of territory.
To those who not thrown among the
unions. their ideas concerning the mean
ing and the objects of greater unionism are
more OF less vague. One of the best in
foru,ed and most liberal minded union men
On America to-day is Frank Duffy, secre-
sary of the United Brotherhood of Carpen-
tiers and Joiners. Mr. Duffy is prominent
and well known throughout the country
ss man courteous, considerate and level
headed in all his business transactions.
Relative to the growth and objects of the
Duffy says:
The Brotherhood of Carpenters and join
srs was organized at a convention held In
Chicago in August. 1881. Many local unions
had existed prior TO this date. and several
efforts at national organization had been
made. notably in 1854 and again In 1867, but
the brotherhood as at present constituted
claims its birth from the date first men
toned.
The objects as set forth I'm the preamble
TO the constitution were: To rescue our
trade from the low level TO which il had
fallen, and. by mutual effort, to raise our
selves to the position in society to which we
are justly entitled; TO cultivate feeling of
friendship among the craft and to elevate
the moral. intellectual and social condition
OF all Journeymen carpenters. 1t is further
more our object to assist each other to Sc
cure employment; to furnish aid in cases
OF death or permanent disability, and for
mutual relief and other benevolent pur-
poses
1.-THE officers consist of "A general presi-
dent. two general vice presidents, general
secretary, general treasurer and a gen
eral executive board of five members. con-
eisting Of one from the New England States
Unciuding New Brunswick and Nova SEQ
tia). one from the middle States Including
the provinces of Ontario and Quebec), one
from the Southern States and two from the
Western States, one of which shall be from
the west of the Mississippi Including Mani
toba and British Columbia.) This board has
power TO decide all points OF law, settle
grievances and authorize strikes in con-
formtty with the constitution.
FUNERAL BENEFIT.
The organization provides a funeral
benefit of 800 on six months membership
and 800 for year; wife's funeral bene-
At Is SIS on six months membership and
$50 on one year. Disability benefits are
allowed as follows: One hundred dollars on
membership. $500 on three years member
ship. and at the expiration of five years
membership $500 is allowed.
THE first convention after organization
was held in Philadelphia in 1882. The sec
ond was convened in New York is 1854, the
convention Of 1883 being postponed in order
20 place the unions on a better foundation,
giving them more opportunity to ascertain
the actual requirements OF the organization
and become more familiar with the con-
Since that time the progress of the
Brotherhood has been onward and upward.
The struggle has been at times difficult
one. The growth of the movement has not
been spasmodic, but of a steady, continu-
Gus character. indicating that the found
ers OF the order built both wisely and well.
The principal trouble appeared to be with
the knights of Labor. In many instances
clashes occurred among carpenters hold
ing brotherhood cards and members of the
y.
knights of Labor. of Troy, n. Y, refused
TO work with members of the brotherhood
and struck against them At that time.
unfortunately for the cause of labor, was
dlscerned secret and formidabl move
n1ent of a certain element within the
knights of Labor bent upon hostility to
trade unions, and aiming to attack them
Singly, and. II possible, encompass their
destruction AT the same time friendly
relations were maintained between the
motherhood of this country and the car
penters' unions of Great Britain. Germany
France and other European countries
Shortly after the organization of the
hours and better conditions was started
Efforts TO secure the nine-hour day were
successful In the spring OF 1875 in number
OF places throughout the country, particu-
lerly on the Pacific coast A reduction In
hours OF labor on Saturday in Philadelphia
Boston. Hartford and St. GATHERINGS, Ont
trial body. known as the Short-hour League
had been organized in Philadelphia.
EIGHT-HOUR MOVEMENT.
'The movement for eight hours was in
augurated in the following year, 1856, and
was of a general character by the L. T.
At the convention held I'm Buffalo, n. "
IN August OF that year the general secre-
fary reported that '2.4s6 of the members
are working eight hours per day. 5.S34 are
on nine hDurs per day, and Ills are having
shorter hours on Saturdays At present
the number of cities where the eight-hour
day Is the rule is Is. and the number of
members benefited nearly 10000
From twelve local unions in 1851 the
brother aood has increased to 170l local
unions at the present writing. and from a
membership of y.0i2 IL has grown 10 1o4 100
members. thus fulfilling in a iemarkahIe
degree the predictions uttered By the gen.
eral secretary-treasurer at the Buffalo con-
vention In August 1886. that. from present
indications our society before many years
viii be one OF the most powerful trade or
CARNATIONS In America, and second to none
IN point OF members and financial stand
ing.
Its Jurisdiction extends from Halifax.
~. s. TO the Pacific coast and from Quebec
90 Galveston. and recognizes no distinction
on account OF color. race. nationality re-
Ifg.on or politfcs-its members recognizing
each other only American workmen
bound togetherrfor one purpose. the eieya-
dOn OF the human race and the securing
81 what they believe themselves justly en-
titled 20.
1T Is a well-known fact that labor or
ganization TO be successful must have good
dnrncfal mana gement- The l. n. has been
To- sunate IN this respect. Every legitimate
claim against IL has been paid and a bai-
ance remains in the treasury Even dur
ing those years OF business depression
Q8s2-lS90 this proud record was not broken.
and the organization emerged from that
period IN q condition prepared To take 3D.
vantage or the return OF prosperous times
During the twenty-five years OF its exist
once the brotherhood has paid out In strike