The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-05-20
TWO RAILWAY CARMEN
UNIONS MAY COMBINE
Amalgamation May Result from
Referendum Vote Now Be-
ing Taken.
Proposed That Delegates from
Both Unions Get Together
in September.

Kansas City, Mo-, May ia refer
endum vote of the membership of the
Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Of
America and Of the International asso-
citation of Car Workers is being taken
through the locals of both organizat tions
which, if it carries. will result in the
holding Of a joint convention Of dele
gates from the locals of the two Or
ganizations at Buffalo, N. Y, Sept. u,
1905, and very probably the consolida-
tion of both into one big Brotherhood
Of Railway Carmen's association.
Grand Chief Ronemus, of the Broth
erhood Of Railway Carmen of America,
with headquarters in this city gave
out the proposition the members Of
both organizations are voting on, which
is as follows:
"First-That a joint convention Of
the International Association of Car
Workers and the Brotherhood of Rail-
way Carmen of America be held in
Buffalo, New York, ON Tuesday. Sept.
II, 1905.
"Second-That the delegates in joint
convention have full power to enact
laws for the government of the mem-
bers of the amalgamated orders and to
elect officers to administer the affairs
of the said amalgamated association for
period of one or two years, as the
said delegates may determine.
'Third-That each of the said orders
shall pay all debts contracted by their
respective grand officers or authoriz-
ed agents in the name of their respec-
tive organizations prior to the date Of
amalga nation, and all property and
funds remaining shall become the prop
erty Of the amalgamated association.
"Fourth-That all questions coming
up for settlement in said joint conven-
ton shall be decided by a majority
vote, each delegate being entitled to
cast one vote for each member in good
standing in the lodge he represents,
whether direct or by proxy; provided,
that where proxies are used they shall
be properly made in writing and at
tested by the president and secretary
of the lodge to be represented, and shall
bear the seal of such lodge, unless for
sufficient reasons the seal is unob-
tainable; provided, further, that the
number of members In good standing
in each lodge shall be determined by
the Grand Lodge records Of the respec-
ve~ergapisations,-~w1 records shall
be accessible to the credentials commit
tee, and to any other proper commit
tee appointed by the delegates in joint
convention, to inspect the same for the
purpose herein set forth, and the grand
secretary of each organization shall be
required. If deemed necessary by a ma
jority of the delegates, to testify un-
der oath as to the correctness of their
records"
Grand Chief Ronemus hopes for much
good to come of a joint convention
and he is working hard to have the
membership of the Railway Carmen in
dorse the proposition.
The official journal OF the Interna-
tional Association of Car Workers,
published in Chicago, in it's last issue,
appeared to be opposed to the adop-
ton of the plan for amalgamation.
Editor w. ]. Adams of the Broth
erhood of Railway Carmen, whose Of
flee is in Kansas City. 500 Hall build
ing, in the last issue Of that paper.
devotes considerable space to the
proposition, commenting editorially
as follows:
'The Journal feels that it cannot
sity of our membership responding
promptly to this all important matter,
and attention is specially called to the
Grand Chief Garments call for refer
endum vote on this subject, and it is
earnestly hoped that all members will
carefully and studiously read and be
governed accordingly. Personally, we
have no desire to influence our men,
bership in any way in exercising their
sentiment on this subject. We want
the unbiased and intelligent opinion of
we feel assured will be along lines
beneficial to the carmen of the coun-
try. Let the response be prompt Let
there be no time lost in view of this
very important matter in preparing
for our next convention. Let every
lodge see to it that their convention
fund remittances and per capita tax
are all paid on time, thus securing a
full and complete representation Of all
lodges. Much depends on your actions
in this matter. It is now up to the
membership as it has never been be-
fore. Vote intclligently and promptly,
and above all things see that your
lodge is ably and thoroughly represent
ell in Buffalo on Tuesday, Sept. IL,
1905"
wnETEee TET.Ecp