The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-10-20
Union OF CARPENTERS
SHOWS GREAT: STRENGTH
General Secretary Proposes Com
prehensive Report For Big
Union.
Carpenters and Joiners Now One
of the World s Greatest
Unions.

and Joiners of America. III his report
to the fourteenth general convention,
covering the two years from July !,
1904, to June 80. 1906, reviewed the
work OF his office. Mr.. Duffy noted
the fact that in the past twenty-five
years the brotherhood had the exper-
fence of most labor organizations, hav-
ing been ushered into existence on Aug
II, 1881, after a four days convention
in Chicago, with much doubt as to
whether it would live. Two other
attempts had been made to form a
national organization, AND both failed.
Today, however. the carpenters or
ganization Is next In numerical
strength to that Of the mfneworkers.
On June 80, 1904, there were 1898
LEGAL unions with membership IN
good standing of ISL, 205, and for the
same date in 1906 there were 1,748
locals with a membership Of 170,192
II. good standing. The latter figures
show a Sa!n in membership OF 1887,
hut a loss in unions Of -. tX-f1ve. In
thirty-two cities lcca! unions were con-
so:idated.
Some of the Figures.
For the two-year term. 387 new
unions were organized, while 423 I'M
ions passed out of existence for va
rious reasons.
The annual growth Of the union is
set forth, beginning with 1881, and
ending June 80, 1906. In 1881 the
organization began with twelve locals
and membership Of 2,042. In 1886,
1T locals were affiliated, with a total
membership of 21,423. Until 1892
steady and consistent growth was noted.
In 1892 the membership slumped from
56,937 to. 51,313. In 1898 1t rose to
| 4,121, but in 1894 more than $1,000
fell from the roll. bringing the men,
bership total down to 33,917. But In
| 1895 the number still further decreased,
| when the list of members in good
! standing reached the lowest point since
1885. The number in 1895 was ISL
In 1896 an increase to 29,691 was noted.
but in 1897 falling off to 28,269 &C.
Cured. Since 1897 the organization has
gone ahead by leaps and bounds. With
68,463 members on the rolls In 1898,
and 122,56S in 1902 there has not been
year in which a gain was not re-
corded. On June 30, 1906, the total
paid-up membership was 170,192. The
greatest gain for any single term was
! 54,105, for the years 1901 and 1902,
and greatest loss was 2O,204, the latter
being for one-year term, In 1894.
| The jurisdiction of the brotherhood
includes the United States, Canada,
Porto Rico, British West Indies and
the Hawaiian islands. fty-eight of
the unions are of cabinetmakers, bench
and machine hands; nine are exclusive
ly sta1rbuilders; six exclusively par
quet floor layers; six consist Of mill
! wrights; three Of carbuilders: five of
shipbuilders; two Of wharf and bridge
carpenters; two exclusively of trainers,
and the remainder are carpenters I'M
ions, composed Of members following
| any branch Of the trade not above
specified.
Unions in Minnesota.
Minnesota has sixteen unions, with a
membership of 1887, more than half of
which belongs to Carpenters Union
No. 7. Of Minneapolis.
There are 101 Carpenters district
councils now in existence. These have
been a great aid in handling matters
which are not altogether local.
Much space is devoted to a review
of the insurance system. Since this
was put in operation $1,800,000 has
been paid out to sick members, while
the national office has expended, in
death and disability claims, $1,512, 343.
OF the latter sum, $380,071 was paid
out in the last two years. From July
4, 1904, to June 80, 1905, $185,533 was
paid by the general, office for sick and
disability claims alone.
The list comprises 1910 approved
benefit claims paid during the time
specified, subdivided as follows: Mem
bers' beneficial claims, $135.533; men,
bers' disability claims, $13,S50; men,
bers semi-beneficial claims, $685.;
funeral benefits for wives of members,
$21,725.
There were 2o7 claims which were
disapproved and rejected for constitu-
tional reasons 1t Is shown that 40 per
cent were disapproved because Of the
member being In arrears at the time
|of death.
Benefits paid from July 1, 1905, to
June &c. 1906, amounted to $194439
The greatest sum paid for any month
in the year specified was $20.508, for
disapproved, 1913.
| Inc Oe1ndnuS on tNe resources OF
the treasury to meet the payment of
death and disability claims are steadily
increasing, and legislation has been
enacted to raise additional funds for
this purpose.
| Millions Handled.
For the two-year term the receipts
were $888,899, and the expenditures
were $S61.440. On June 80 last there
was $199,294 in the treasury, deposited
in five banks. Slightly over $1,000,000
passed through the hands of the
treasurer from all sources.
In the matter Of relief San Francisco
was not overlooked, and SIS, 1893 was
sent to that city to be used by the
union officials for the relief of suffer-
ers from the results Of the earthquake
n Some time ago a movement was
started for the purpose of raising q
sum Of money to be presented to the
, widow Of the founder Of the brother
hood, P. J. Mcclure. Mr.. Mcclure was
general secvretary-t for twen-
ty years, his death occurring February