The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-30
CARPENTERS FIGHT FOR
$4,000 WOODWORKERS
Important Conference to Be Held
To-Day to Discuss Fedora
tons Decision.
PRESENT
PRESIDENTS

conference Of no little import in the
labor world will be held to-day at the head
quarters of the United Brotherhood of Car
penters and Joiners, when representatives
of the latter organization and the Amalga-
mated Wood Workers International Union
viii meet to discuss the decision of the
American Federation of Labor relative to
the jurisdiction of the two unions. The de-
cision provides that the wood workers shall
have Jurisdiction over about $1,000 men who
now belong to the carpenters organization.
and whom the carpenters refuse to give
up.
The conference is being held a the request
of Thomas l. Kidd, of Chicago, president of
the wood workers. who. together with Den
mis- Mulchaney also of Chicago, will repre-
sent the Amalgamated Wood Workers.
Plans had been made to hold the conference
here about two weeks ago, but it was post
poned on account of Mr.. Kidd's call to New
York. Word was received at the carpen-
ters' headquarters yesterday from Mr.. Kidd,
stating that he would arrive in Indianapolis
this morning and desired to hold the confer
ence to-day President William d. Huber
and Secretary Frank Duffy will represent
the carpenters in the conference.
The jurisdictionaI fight between the car
penters and the wood workers is one of the
foremost contests now going on within the
ranks Of organized labor. The issue refers
TO the mill workers men in the planning
mills, who have been members of the car
penters union since its inception, early in
the eighties, but whom the newer organiza-
ton. the wood workers, have laid claim TO
within the past few years. The contest was
fought at the Boston convention, and the
federation supported the wood workers In
their claims. There are about 5000 mem
bers Of the carpenters organization who are
mill workers. and to fulfill the federation S
demand would mean that these men be
transferred from the carpenters union to
that of the wood workers.
LOSE THIRD OF MEMBERS.
The carpenters have taken stand against
giving up almost third of their members,
and declare that it cannot be done. The
members at issue, it is said, stoutly object
to transferring their membership to the
wood workers, for the reason that the ben
efits derived from the carpenters are much
greater than those of the wood workers.
Just what will be done at the meeting
to-day is not known. 1t is thought that the
representatives, will attempt to determine
upon some clear lines to be followed by the
respective unions.
At the headquarters Of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and JOiners yes
terday returns were received from the diff
ferent locals of the organization throughout
the country on the question whether or not
organizations of carpenters in the Philip
pine Islands shall be admitted into the
membership of the brotherhood. Petitions
were received from the Philippine carpen-
tiers some time ago, and the question was
put TO a vote of all the locals of the union.
Although all returns were not received yes
terday, those that did come in were, with
but one or two exceptions, unanimously in
favor OF admitting the Philippine bodies.
Officials say that there is no doubt but
that the union will soon be represented by
two or three locals in the Philippine Islands.
There are about eighty carpenters In each
of the locals.