The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-11

A News representative had very
pleasant interview with Mr. Edward c.
Wind. international organizer OF the In
ternational Jewelry Workers OF America,
this morning I'm which he said:
'Aes. we are arranging for. I believe,
the largest mass meeing Of workers ever
held in the city of Providence said Mr..
Wind.
what are the prospects OF organizing
your entire trade here?"
Never better. The jewellers OF Provi-
dence see what the jewellers OF other
cities have gained through organization.
That is a nine-hour working day with
ten per cent Increase in wages.
you see, the jewellers are a peculiar
lot OF workers, from the fact that they
are employed upon precious metal, and
they as a whole imagine that they are a
precious lot OF workers and up 10 a
few years ago they were OF the opinion
that they did not need any organization
to assist them. They always depended
upon their skill to crawl along through
life, but the last few years with the
increased cost OF living they find that
something is wrong and are looking for
some remedy. And we all know one
OF the greatest remedies for all workers
Is to organize. And that Is what they
are doing
yes We are the last skilled mechanics
to organize In this country and the pros
poets are--to take the situation OF other
cities into considera tion--we will have not
only one of the largest, but one of the
strongest organizations in this country
In the near future. Why. here in Rhode
Island, there is a little over one-auarter
OF the trade organized at present and the
outlook is, after the mass meeting of to-
morrow. the largest number OF the trade
will be organized I'm Providence.
You see by looking over the census
report OF this state I'm our trade there
has been a continual decrease in wages
and an increase I'm the number Of chill
dreen employed; also an increase in the
female help.
"Oh, yes: we intend 10 organize the
female workers but the men first lis our
policy. The conditions OF the trade here
in Providence are deplorable, and II Is
time that we organize some reform. The
average jeweler cannot call his soul his
own al present. but that will pass away
through organization.
I'VE will not forget the Attleboros. But
one thing at time and not too many
irons In the fire at once Is the best policy
and the experience Of all trade unions"
Have YOU a label?'' was asked.
"Yes. and I would like TO say in behalf
Of the International body that we are
very much gratihed TO organized labor
| throughout lhe country for its support.
and will add that we are not forgetting
them. as this Is great question which
concerns ALL workers in the economic
! hght for better conditions
FOR LABOR TEMPLE
! The committee recently appointed by
/ the Building Trades Council, acting In
/ conjunction with committee appointed
/ from the Central Trades and Labor union
/ for tho purpose Of considering the ad-
| visibility OF building a labor temple. met
! last evening and effected permanent
/ organization by the election OF officers.
/ The choice Of officers resulted as follows:
/ President. Andrew J. Mccormack; secre-
tary. John G. Barrett; treasurer, James
/ T. Sherry
This is the most progressive action
| ever taken by the labor unions Of this
/ city towards acquiring an Industrial
home for the unions. The unions have
all heartily endorsed the proposition,
which an active and energetic committee
I Is now working on with every hope OF
! success In the near future. prominent
/ lawyer who has much confidence in the
+ plan OF erection suggested by the COM
mittee, attended the meeting and gave
detailed Information To the committee as
. TO how they should proceed that their
1 work may conform to the laws OF the
| state.
/ The idea ~ building n labor temple in
| this city to meet the apparent wants of
the labor organizations is by no means a
new one. but not until now did II ever
show any material progress. Within a
rN,sv
I rrforr-the labor organizations urging
I them to cooperate with the committee
that the building Of the temple may be a
/ practical success. Properly accredited
solicitors will also be around soliciting
shares for the enterprise With the
awakened interest now manifest there is
no reason TO fear the success OF the pro-
ject.
Machinists' Local No. IA held q lively
meeting last night i'm the Labor Temple
! and Initiated four new members. Two
applications were received and referred %
the committee. committee OF five was
1 appointed to boom organization amont'
the mechanics OF the city. committee
of two wasfformed to arrange plans for
the spring campaign Several grand lodge
officers were present and delivered short
addresses. Maurice Ladders, nth vice
president Of the international body, was
the speaker of the evening.
CARPENTERS STRIKE.
The carpenters employed by lewis
Pierce on the new Weeks Bros building
in process % erection on Richmond street
struck for higher wages yesterday. About
50 men went out at noon. several masons
toining the striking carpenters Ihe
be raised till the union demand Of 25 cents
an hour f. granted
The finance committee Of the Plumbers
union are working over time in an en-
deavor to straighten out the books a
communication was received from the ma.
tonal body sanctioning the local In case
Of strike this spring.
N~ n,~t~I C.: