The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-13

bitter contests and struggles aneao OF us.
The employers are preparing on all sides 10
oppose our demands for better conditions,
a shorter work day at the same or IN
creased wages. We must prepare for such
emergencies and be in q position TO present
a formidable front when the struggle comes.
1--WE must be more united than We have
been in the past; more agreeable TO one an
other in our meetings.; more broad minded
and charitable to our fellow-man in our
dealings with him, and more determined
than ever to protect our interest. Our
policy should not be one of antagonlsm 10
our employers, but, on the contrary, 10
secure conferences with them, and through
negotiations, Cancellation or arbitration,
bring about satisfactory results. A strike
should not be resorted to until all other
legitimate means have failed, but once
called there should be no backing down
until success is achieved. Many strikes are
called for little or no cause; sometimes for
personal spite. This SHOULD not be counten-
anced or tolerated by our members. They
should be frowned upon and voted down
and the people responsible for them CEN
sured severely.
Our unions, in the enforcement of their
local rules, refusal to work with nonunion
men and to handle %nonunion made material
have. within the past twenty-five years,
spent the sum of $159, 1862. Our district
councils have also spent during the same
period for the same purpose, $65O,OW,
making a total of $S09, 1922.
'.The general office, in support of trade
movements during the same period, paid
out $437, S1047. Last year the number or
trade movements exceeded tnat OF any
other year. This is what may be expected.
AS our organization grows, so do our re-
sponsibilities. In all, AS cities and towns
made demands for higher wages; the in
auguration of the eight-hour day; half
holiday Saturday; recognition of the union;
refusal to work with nonunion men, or to
handle nonunion manufactured material.
In many instances conflicts waged long
and bitterly between employer and en-
ployes, and feeling ran high, but with Ju-
dicious management n timely support
from the general office and general execu-
tive board, 9S per cent. OF these move
ments were successful. The sum of $780,
1872. so was spent by the general office, gem
eral executive board and by instructions
of the twelfth general convention, in
strikes and lockouts.
THE per capita tax of 20 cents per month
per member sent TO headquarters is for
the running expenses of the organization,
as specified in our general constitution, ana
not for strike support, as many OF our
members believe. In fact, very little is
said about financial relief In cases of
strikes and lockouts, and under the cir
cumstances 1t cannot be expected that lib
eral relief can be given. We only pay
$40 per year per member to the general
Office, and we expect in return death bene-
fits, from $50 to $500, disability benefits from
500 to $500. and strike benefits as well.
Section 13S of the general constitution
distinctly specifies that relief in case of
strikes or lockouts may be given mem
bers only at such rate and extent as the
general funds will warrant. There is
IL l. lilUiCdie III tniS thai DtIlelll-
must, shall or will be paid. In fact, there
is no promise mad whatever. Yet, we
lave many local union and district coun-
ellis demanding that they must rave finan
cia1 assistance irrespective of whether We
have ii on hand or not.
GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD.
During the year just past, the general
executive board held five meetings. The
old board. consisting of Bros. Cattermull,
Miller. Grimes. Walz and Beeele. held q
regular quarterly meeting in July, 1902, al
Philadelphia, Pa, and another in Atlanta,
Ga. previous to and during the convention
"'The present board held its first meeting
at Atlanta, just after the close of the con.
~vention, but could not do much more thar
organize. The first regular quarterly meet.
ing was in January. 1903, at headquarters
In Indianapolis, and the second meeting
occurred in the April following. Owing
to the large number OF trade movements
under way last spring, which required care
full consideration and liberal financial sup
port in order to be successful, and owing
To the increased death rate, IL became neces-
sary on the part of the board 10 levy ar
assessment OF 80 cents per member on the
entire organization, payable on the member
ship on the books June /. 1853, and III
structed the general secretary TO so notify
all local unions. giving them reasonable
time in which TO comply with this order.
Very few complaints We're made against
! the leVying of this assessment. Our mem.
| bers knew full well that we could not tran
sact business on the per capita tax paic
TO this Office, which amounts 10 the small
sum of $40 per year per member. w
| are now working again on a good financia
basis. and unless some unexpected and un-
foreseen circumstances overtake US, we arr
come. and pay 81 leeitisnet" bills as they
4 are 4 sen'