Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-11

President Stereotypers' Union No. 49,
mainly to the reading of reports and the
appointment of committees to consider
same.
consider the report of the international
officers It in turp to submit the results
at this afternoons meeting: The commit
tee consists of MesSrs j. F. Frey, G. 4.
Charles M. Schilling "a
Question of Taxation.
L. B. Straube. chairman Of commit
tee appointed at the convention held at
Cincinnati last year. submitted a report
dealing with the question of taxation in
relation to wages. The report was a very
vouminous affair, and took up a consider
able part of the mornings session. Com
parsons were made iii il showing the
fluctua lions in the wage scale covering
period Of nearly quarter of a century.
Mr.. Straube was also chairman OF a COM
rrittee appointed to look into the matter of
the publication of journal representing
the International S.e.eotypers and Electro
typers' Uuion, and report on the SUBJ
Ject VS. submitted together with a propo-
sition to print. Messfs. Emil Haarhouse,
W. q. knopp and Charles A. Sumner were
appointed a committee on the taxation
report, with orders to report at tomor-
rows meeting. proposition for the
prin ing of the journal was referred to the
committee law.
/ announced Dy the Cnalr tnat the
committee on entertainment had invited
the delegates and visitors to a Seeing
Washington car ride this afternoon. The
invitation was accepted and the party
will take in the sights of the city, after
ward going ct to Cabin John Bridge In
order to facilitate the business before the
body and to enable its members to take
advantage of the invitation it was decided
to call the fernoon meeting at O'Clock
and adjourn at 40 O'Clock.
A communication from Mr.. Rudolph Kauff-
mann managing editor of The Star, invit-
ing the members of the convention to visit
the newspaper plant. was favorably acted
upon and the secretary ordered to
knowledge it's receipt and state that the
members would take advantage of the OPP
portunity to go through the building when
practicable.
Afternoon Session.
Shortly after clock this afternoons
meeting convened and most of the time of
the body was taken up in the reading of
reports. At ) O'Clock the party will assem-
BILE at the National Hotel. where it will
embark on the trip through the city and
afterward to Cabin John Bridge.
Last evening the delegates were the
guests of Dr. t'ranklin w. Smith, curator
of the Halls of the Ancients, upon whose
invitation they visited that well-known
place of interest.
History of the Union.
Although the international Stereotypers
and Electrotypers' Union has been In ex-
istence less than two years, the success at
tending it has been so gratifying that the
judgment of it's advocates IS sus ,ained that
such union was needed They contended
that such an org aniZAton was, absolutely
necessary and essential to promo the in
terests and welfare Of the craft on this
continent.
During the first year of it's life it was
looked upon as very much OF an expert
ment, but during that time extraord nary
progress was made by; the young union,
and today. it has grown to such prcpo"
tons that it can surely stand alone. Five
new unions were established and wages
and other conditions improved within the
jurisdiction of ten' or more of the local
unions. There way also large increase
of membership, and the union.Zation of
many non union Establishments at various
points. 'a
The relations between the union and
other allied organizations of the printing
trade are of the pIeasfntest character, and
although the younge stool all unions in that
trade they are second foinone in percentage
of organization, tile prospects for the flu
ture are particularly Fright and they are
conducting an up-to-date organization
along the lines laid down by other older
and more experienced associations of this
character.
Early Attempts at Organization.
The first organization of the letter-press
platemakers of Washington was in 1882,
with Louis Rowzee president and John A.
Daily vice president. This organization was
composed of electrotype molders, fnishers
and stereotypers. It's life was of short
duration, however, it being in existence less
than one year.
In 1888 an effort was made to reorganize
the electrotype molders and fnishers of
Washington, meeting being held on a
Sunday afternoon in hall corner 9Th and
H streets. This effort was also a failure
principally on account of the lack Of inter-
est shown by the craft at that time.
Platemaking in the government printing
year 1880. and was made from various COM
positions and constructions some being
made by the papier mache process, a larger
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