The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-15
JEWELLERS HOLD MASS MEETING.

JEWELLERS HOLD MASS MEETING.
Last evening a number OF the labor
people particularly those OF the jewelers.
craft assembled at the Labor temple for
the purpose OF listening to the speakers
provided for the meeting and to discuss
the best methods Of reorganiZlng or re-
establishing the former strength OF the
craft I'm this city and nearby centres or
labor for the craft.
The meeting was called in the interest
OF the craft by the officials Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, who were au-
thorized TO undertake the work OF placing
the craft on its former successful basis.
For some time past the jewellers have
been rather poorly organized craft, the
organization going down from 1900 to now
something less than 100 in a few short
years.
There have been various reasons for
this, and among them is the fact that the
employers of the craft have made II
a study to crush the workers Of the craft
by all kinds of means. The chief of
these was to pledge the individuals not
to become members Of any organization
and other such methods. These and other
troubles that have come To the body in
the past few years have placed thsm
In rather poor standing as TO member
ship, and the last convention OF the
American Federation OF Labor took
special pains To provide for the work OF
placing the craft again on a better basis
and delegated the organizer for this dis
trict, Mr.. l.. A. Grace, and one or two
OF the other officers. TO take charge of the
matter.
Accordingly, arrangements were made
FOR the meeting last evening by Mr..
Grace and George Il. Brady, the Inter
national president of the craft.
They had as chief speaker Herman Rob
inson OF New York and number of the
prominent labor men OF this state on the
platform and delivering speeches. Presi-
dent Thomas +. Mccarthy OF the Coal
Teamsters union called the meeting TO
order. and after telling of the purpose OF
the meeting then introduced the first
speaker of the evening, Mr.. George +.
Brady, the president OF the International
Mr.. Brady, who Is well versed I'm the con-
ditions OF the craft. talked for some min.
ureS on Vt1c brTTcrfts of urganizatie ieH- and
the methods that were In vogue at this
time TO prevent the success OF the union.
He quoted a number OF facts concerning
the organization and the trade that all
those present could appreciate. among
them being the number OF minors now en-
ployed, and preventing the men from
earning n family's support and also the
number of women working at the trade.
also n detriment to the craft. Another
fact mentioned was the methods or the
employers TO destroy the union and 10
make the men fear any connection with
the union,
When he concluded. Mr. l.. A. Grace,
the official deputized TO take immediate
charge OF the work OF organization, spoke
on the advantages OF becoming allied
with the organization. He gave several /
fundamental reasons for the membership /
OF the craft becoming organized. among
them being that II was necessary for the |
craft TO be organized. and that those who ]
had any differences could best obliterate /
them by aifiliation with the organization. |
and the best way they had OF lighting /
against poor conditions was by joining I'm /
making the organization n success. Sue |
cess 10 the organization, he said, meant 4
success TO the individuals Of the craft.
He then told OF the stand the American /
Federation OF Labor had taken with re- /
gard 20 the jewelers. craft and the de- /
termination he had taken ken to place R,tS,,l. the
Mr.. Grace Mr.. Herman Robinson spoke,
he coming from New York. Mr. Thomas
+ Kcarney then spoke. as did also i. q. /
When that amount OF work
VAS done the session adjourned The
lme for the next session will he an
lounced next week by Mr. Grace.
METAL WORKERS MEET
Tho meeting OF the metal workers last
veplng was very Interesting and busy
ession even though tho greater part Of
he time was devoted TO routine matters.
one of the largest number OF candidates
vas received last evening that has been
-nown 90 the history OF tho craft since
he formation OF the same, there being 10
nen on hand when tho limitations COM
lenccd The first business after tho re
ort OF the nfcbership committee was the
cport OF the delegates TO the New Eng
md district council which was held az
cston the first few days OF this week
he delegates stated that everything
'orked well at the sessions and u was de-
ided 90 hold the next convention I'm this
lty on the last Sunday In January OF
sxt year committee das appointed &C. |
'ceive the delegates on that day. tho
consisting of Messrs. Coomby.
ari,hurst. Cole. Hayes and Burnside
There was very large amount OF other