The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-16
PLUMBERS AND GAS FITTERS ASSEMBLE A Hundred Delegates Here and
 More Will Cone AN INTERNATIONAL BODY Convention Welcomed to Birmingham By the President of Local Union
 and By Mayor Drennen.
 Reports of officers.
AN INTERNATIONAL BODY

nSP0ThA VI 0HtSSAos
 The plumbers, the gas filters and the steam filters and helpers are here They bail from all parts of the United siates and from Canada and Cuba. The international convention to which these men are delegates assembled in the city hall yesterday morning and will remain in session until the end of the week and perhaps longer
 One hundred and six delegates have re- ported and this number will be augment ed today and tomorrow. Among those present yesterday were many strong men and th,r high intelligence and business Ike air stamp them as men well quali- fled to dscharge the responsible duties imposed upon them.
 The Proceedings.
 The fourteenth convention of the United asso, iation of Journeymen Plumbers, Gas i.tters, Steam Filters and Steam Fit ters' Helpers of the United States. Can- ada and Cuba was called to order yester- day ornlng shortly after Il o'clock in the city hall. President William M. Mer- rick presid ng.
 There was something over one hum dred dslesates in the hall when the meet ing was called to order. This was not quite so many as were expected, but dele gates are still arriving and the session to- day will be attended by nearly two hum drad representatives,
 After calling the meeting to order, Mir. Merfiek introduced President Leon J. Duiltn of the Birmingham local He spoke in behalf of the plumbers of this city, and extended to the visiting delegates a hearty welcome. He said that he hoped they would receive the very best of treat n.ent, and asked that any complaints be reported 10 him. He touched on the devel- opIneht of the social feeling by these na- tional asscmblages.
 Mayor Extends Welcome.
 Dr. Duilon then introduced Mayor Dren- nen, who spoke In part as follows:
 MT. President and delegates to the na- tional convention of the United Associa- ton of Plumbers: "The organization which you represent is the third national convention ever held in Birmingham. Coming from every state In the union as you do, as well as from Canada, your presence here in this great city Is an honor to the people, who gladly receive you. In behalf of the citizens of Brming- ham l extend to you most hearty well come. Your organization, 1 believe, was effected about fourteen years ago, and since that time your progress has been remarkable, I am informed that two years ago you convened in Omaha, and at that time gathered 230 locals, repre- senting 10000 men in your trade. At that time you made q material change In your constitution by providing for relief fund. It was then decided that members during sickness should receive s5 a week, and in case of a strike they should re- ceive the same amount. In the event of the death of member his family re- ceiyed sl00 to be used for funeral ex- penses.
 But in addition to this and the ad- vancement of the skill of your craft, the united association stands for benefit to the public The people who receive the guarantee of skilled work of the best
 
 hands. know that no cheap-john nor im- postor did the work. In ti.e cities of Memphis and New Orleans and through out this whole section the great epidemic of yellow fever which swept the people was found to have been caused by un- sanitary conditions. A joint committee of investigation proved that sanitary im- provements are the real enemy of dis eases of this kind. and through the work of such men as you represent today there mas been such stride made in san itary measures all over the south that the people of New Orleans. with the con- fldence of sanitary provisions in the city, refused to flee In 1897 and 1898 when the threatened epidemic of yellow fever started.
 Before the day of sewers they had depopulated the city almost. The people think work comes high, gentlemen of the convention. butt as in other things the people do not know 1t is the skill they are paying for"
 Mayor Drennen then turned the keys of the city over to the plumbers. and said that the only one he would withhold was that in the possession of the chief of police. The address was heartily ap- plauded.
 President Merrlck's Speech.
 President Merrick thanked the mayor for the promised hospitality and said that as had been the case in previous conven- tons. the delegates would avail them selves of the kindness of tho people. He thanked the mayor for the kind terms in which he spoke of the organization. It was explained that in cities where strin- gent sanitary laws were in force. they were made possible to large extent by the locals of the association.
 Mir. Merrick stated that he considered this an opportune city for the convention and spoke of 1t as the greatest manufac- turing city of the south
 After MT. Merrick had concluded his talk MT. Duilon presented Mayor Dren- nen with box of flowers In accepting the flowers, Mayor Drennen. who was talk en much by Happy Surprise, feelIngly said:
 My friends, this tender offering touches my very heart and so enraptures my soul as to make impotent this tongue in an effort to give utterance to my gratitude for the emblem of your good will in such tenderness bestowed. I am bachelor and for thirty long years I have been patron of the floral gardens at times ai- most depicting my purse to charm the fair sex through the instrumentality of