The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-20
LOCAL TYPOS IN
LARGE MEETING
Are Addressed BY International
President James M. Lynch
and Others.
THE STRIKE WILL CONTINUE.
Members Are Assured That Inter-
national Union is Financially
and Numerically Able.


graphical Union. No. 80, turned out en-
nasrc last night to iionr Tic addresses
Of Mr.. James NJ. Lynch. president of the
international Typographical Union: Mr.. u.
C. Parson. chairman of the EigIit-Hour
Committee OF the Washington Union; Mr..
Frank Morrison. secretary Of the Amcri-
can Federation Of Labor; Mr.. II. w. Kidd.
vicc-chairnan OF the Eight-tIour Com
mittaci OF Washington, and several others.
The meeting was hold IN Sparks & Biack'c
Hall. on Broad Street. which was crowd
ed TO the full With Richmond printers.
Slr. y. g. Parsons, chairman OF the
Eight Hour Committee " Washington,
was the first to take the floor He spoke
of the situation in Washington. saying
that the conditions there arc similar to
those in this city. witt, tlic exception that
before entering the eight hour agreement
the Washington members had the advant-
age OF having signed tho eight-hour agree
mcnt with about twenty offices of that
city, among them being some OF the best
printing Offices of that city.
After the strike had been on one weel
the largest typothctae office In that city
had cnpitulated. He congratulated tic
Richmond union thatt.thcy had kept up
tile opposition SO long and so we'll.
Mr.. Parsons WIS followed by Mr. Frank
Morrison, secretary OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor, who occupied that posi-
tion as the delegate OF the International
Typographical Union. He reviewed the
struggles for the eght-hour day in the
various crafts. which arc members or the
Federation, saying that in all his eSpe-
ricncc as an officer having to do with
the details or struggles OF this characters
there never had been an effort for an
eight-hour schedule or for the be,tcring
of the condition of workiDgmcn In any
particular that had been conducted with
80 little of The element of violence or with
the Interference with the rights of indi-
vidpals In the pleasant contest OF the In
ternational Typographical Union in this
fight. Mr.. Morrison believed tina, the in
reference by means OF njunctions
against the efforts of wbrkingmcn to
peaceably and By the most lawful meth
obs secure enlarged benefits and social
conditions would soon be prevented by a
1uickoncd public conscience. and that the
right of free speech. referring to the late
Injunction forbidding union member 10
talk with non-union member about
union principles would not he denied.
Mr.. Kidd Speaks.
The next speaker was Mr.. +. w kidd
yice-chairinan OF the eisht-hour CON-
mittce OF the Washington union, who
said that the printers were the first
craftsmen to organize In America. and
that IL ono feature more than another
distinguished them from the other craft
men it is their ultra conservatism. Thu
first organized. lie said: II was the lastto
receive the benefits of organization, be.
cause of their consideration for the men
engaged In the printing business Since
the organization of the Typographical
unions. he continued. it has been their
principle to conserve and promote the
interest Of the employers, relying upon
the increased business of the employers
to bring tho employees a fair wage scale
and satisfactory conditions. He added
that this attitude of the union had bean
appreciated by the more successful EN-
.ployers of the United States and Canada.
The scale Of prices for commercial work
has. at all times, been conserved by
legislation in tho printers union. AS
far back as In 1887 the printers. in com
mon with other skilled crafts, endeavored
to establish an eight-hour day. The agi-
tation of that time, he said resulted Il
few years later in the inauguration OF
the nine-hour day, which continued until
January |. 1906. About three years ago
the printers announced. in their national
convention. held in Washington. that
they would endeayor to establish the
eight-hour day system.
Simllar action was taken the following
year. when the convention was held in
Cincinnati and at the ST. Louis conyen-
tion. which took place during the great
fair held in that city January LIST of this
yeal. WAS fixed upon as tho date when
the eight-hour day should become the
general rule. Had there been, he said a
disposition on the part of tho United
Typothetan of America to compromise
this question, and had they fixed upon
any date in the near future for such COM
promise, 1t would have been welcomed
by the International Union. As 1t was,
he said. the Typothetae in convention de-
tcrmined to fight 1T out. The fight 10 on,
with the result that as per cent. of all
the printers of the Typographical Union
are working the eight-ho day schedule.
about 90 per cent. are working less than
eight hours u day, and only about 5000
of Its members arc yet In the struggle to
establish tho elght-hour day
President ]. M. Lynch.
Mr.. Kidd was followed by Mr.. James
NJ. Lynch, president of the International
Typographical Union. Mr.. Lynch opened
his address by relating the story of a
man who had overturned a load OF ma?
on the way to the market.
Trying to pitchfork it back in a great
hurry he was accosted bys-a passing
farmer, who asked him why he was u ,! SO
much haste. The SwagonerSrcplicd that MS
father wished him.to hurry. Asked WIKI
he replied that Ms father was, under ! he
hay. '"rhnt., said Mr.. Lynch, rs the
position OF the Typothetae. They arc I'M
The speaker reviewed the situation
throughout the Jurisdiction of the ,nnion,
Unions. and assuring the Rlehmohd union
members that while they lial Dcen
through the colors they had conducted q
most successful strike in the face Of most
adverse circumstances without any loss N
be said Of every other, union affected. lie 4
said that it would Indeed be Strange ti IL no
assertions from the ranks OF the union
should occur when one CONSIDERS the
great Inducements offered 70 /, me itoo men.
who had, In one way or another, I, peen ar
fected by tho eight hour lnoyement, some