Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-05

Jurisdiction Of the body win deal directly
with and be known to the International as
ISOLATION Heretofore the local lodges
throughout the country have acted as In
tercessors between the individual men,
bers and the International officers In re-
gard to financial affairs, the standing OF
member. and the like, but under the new
system this dealing will be carried on d.
rectly with the international body. and
the possession Of that body. In short. the
policy OF the association, In this particu-
lar respect, will be similar to the methods
In vogue among the life insurance COM
panies OF the country.
One of the most radical changes in the
constitution Is that referring to member
ship. Under the old law only machinists
were admitted to association. The new
membership clause ia. TO- the effect that
any person working in machine shop
and engaged In any manner with the max
Ing and repairing of machinery may De
admitted to membership in this association:
after having taken our obligation and paid
the required fee. providing that he Is
working at the trade and receives the
minimum rate OF wages of his class IN MS
locality"
The operation Of the above clause. 1t Is
pointed out. will more than double the
membership Of the association. In reply
to the natural question as to how the
scale of wages Of various workmen ems
ployed in a machine shop will be fixed. 1t
was explained that they will be classified
and rated accordingly.
In this connection 1t Is set forth that mo
member shall operate moro than one ma
chine or accept work by the piece. premium.
merit, task or contract systems under the
penalty Of expulsion. provided that IN shops
where such systems are now In operation
the same Is to be discontinued on or be-
fore July /, 1904"
After making 1t clear that in no sense
shall q strike be declared without the con-
sent OF the International body, 1t further
states that in the event of the failure to
receive the sanction Of the general execu-
tive board in that connection the grievance
Will be declared at an end. The strike
benefits for members In good standing have
been increased from 81 to IS for single men
and from So to 81 for married men and
single men with others dependent upon
them. The benefit will also apply to NOM
bers who have been victimized or locked
out.
Under the caption of approximation and
death benefits the constitution reads, in
part. as follows:
ANY member attaining the age of sixty
five years. who has been ten consecutive
years in good standing, shall receive the
sum OF $500 Any member who has attained
the age OF sixty-eight years and has been
twenty consecutive years or more In good
standing, shall receive the sum OF $1,000.
All approximation benefits shall be COM
puted from June /, 1903.
Upon the death of a member who shall
have been six months In continuous good
standing there shall be paid to his next of
kin or legal representative the sum of $50;
PiO OA tlo uSatn OL u member VINO hdS USSn
one year in continuous good standing; 500
upon the death Of a member who has been
two years In continuous good standing; $3.50
upon the death Of a member who has been
three years in continuous good standing:
$500 upon the death of member who has
been four years in continuous good stand
Ing Any member becoming three months
In arrears for dues shall be reported to
death the amount OF bene1t to which he Is
entitled shall be determined by the period
OF his continuous good standing member
ship from the date of reinstatement after
death benefits in excess of $50 to be COM
puted from July 1, 1900 II the DECEASED
brother should have no friend to attend to
his burial. the president Of the local lodge
shall take charge Of his interment, and the
lodge receive the sum provided for burial
expenses. Upon receiving proof of super
annuation or death duly attested by the sig
nature Of the president and financial sec
| rotary on blank furnished for that pur-
pose by the general secretary-treasurer,
and bearing the seal Of the lodge. the Grand
Lodge shall pay all approximation and
| burial benefits herein provided for"
The conditions Of employment during tho
| month of June as ascertained by the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor from the reports
Of 206 unions, with an aggregate mem
| bership of 5s,719. shows per cent of rs
without employment. In May $3.50 unions
with membership Of 1O4,s99, reported SO
per cent unemployed. $780,.
| 1t Is also reported that during June 12J
charters were issued by the federation. Of
which 10 were city central bodies, 40
federal labor unions and 50 local trade
unions.
AS an indication Of the favorable senti-
ment Of the subordinate unions Of the
| Bricklayers and Masons' International
Union for afiliation with the American
Federation OF Labor. 1t IL stated that the
proposition was unanimously Endorsed at
| conference Of the Ontario unions recently
held at London. Ont. It Is stated that the
conference represented. the twenty live 10
cal unions Of tho province or Is per cent
OF the organized bricklayers Of Canada.