The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-22

MONG institutions which care for
A the aged, 9sick and disabled, none
"a attracts more attention than the
IA Union Printers home, at Colorado
Springs, Colo. It is the only IN
stitution Of it's kind on the American
continent, and perhaps in the world:
Tourists from every land have visited
st and it is known and talked Of by
trade unionists everywhere. 1t is the
pride Of the union printer, and Is In
deed q credit to the International Typo
graphical union, the members Of which
subscribed all money used in the con-
Btruction and maintenance Of the home
with the exception Of $4,000.
Since then nearly 100000 has been
Feissd and used in putting up build
Sngs, purchasing additional land and in
maintaining the homo. Each month
every union member pays to the treas
urer Of his local 40 cents, in addition
to local dues, one-fourth or which goes
into the home fund.
Charles Deacon, superintendent Of the
home, and the trustees, it cost the Typo
graphical union $s,sO2.24 to maintain
Che home for the two months prior to
Aug. 80. Thus it will be seen that the
keeping up Of this institution is no
small Undertaking. At present there
are 140 inmates, and these are accorded
the best Of care.
Minneapolis has had several members
In the home and one will soon enter
who has "carried his card'' in the
Typographical union for almost half
century. He is William F. Mirick, who
Is weu-known in the twin cities.
+ + +
Generosity has ever been the pro-
nounced characteristic Of the printers:
The tale of distress, Of hardship or of
Indulgence is never told to them in vain.
On Behalf Of the fellow craftsmen this
spirit has always been particularly evil
dent.
home for the protection Of printers IN
at one time some $40, 900 in the treas,
ury almost assured the Typographical
union that the time had come for build
ing the institution. It was not, how
ever, until 1880 that q general awaken,
ing to their responsibilities occurred
among printers, the stimulus being the
unconditional gift Of $4,000 from
The question was then "What shall
we do with it9' and add to it, was
the answer, not only as an act Of wis
dom, but as a token Of appreciation t.
the donors. Trustees were accor ding y
elected for the care Of the funds, ane
IL was QecTeoU LueiI on Inc duu-v ol 3D. }
~ of the birthday Of Mr.. Childs for thu
five years ensuing each member Of thu
union east of the Mississippi rive!
/ should contribute the price of one thou
sand ems Of type or one hours work
and on the anniversary Of the birthda,
Of Mr.. Drexel like contribution shoul(
be made by members west Of the Mis-
sissippi. And so the fund began tt
4 grow.
There were many suggestions mad
regarding the ultimate disposition o
the funds, but the idea which foun
most favor was the oft-mooted one o
4 q permanent homo for printers. Tn
purchasing power Of such an institutlo
and the advertising value of its estat
lishment in any community were ev
- dent to town officials and boards Q
trade, and several offers were made. t
h;he union Of grants Of land buildin
ties, freedom from taxation, etc. Tha
which found most favor was the offer Q
the board Of trade Of Colorado Spring
Ito donate eighty acres Of land one mil
ieast Of the city, if the union woul
dsrect home thereon to cost not les
than $4,000. This offer was accepte
In 1889 and in 1890 additional taxatio
was voted to be applied to the hon
&A1nd. The trustees were incorporate
u uder the laws Of Colorado and give
ps ,wer to regulate and determine tt
pl ,rpose Of the home.
The building was completed in 1ss