Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-23
IN LABOR CIRCLES
o.

The closing OF the official year of Column
bia typographical Union and the induction
into office of the presfdent-elect Of that Inn
portant trades organization. Mr.. T. c. Par
sons, has recalled the activities of the past
year under the presidency OF Mr.. John r.
Berg, who will shortly vacate that ONCE.
In the past year one of the greatest strikes
in the history of labor unionism was inau-
gurated by the printers under the direc-
ton Of the International Typographical
Union. and President Berg as the official
head of one of the largest and most In
fiuential branches of the craft has been
called upon for some masterful work That
he has rendered good account of his stew
ardship is evidenced by the commentator
he is receiving on all sides and by the rec
ords of Columbia Union.
In addition to holding the honorable po-
sition of president of the local union OF
printers Mr.. Berg is also foreman of the
Congressional Record, sometimes termed
the Congressional Daily The fact that
he was elected twice president of such an
intelligent body as Columbia Union in 1T
self Is high commentator.
President John r. Berg was born in
Chicago, ILL.,, June II. 1859 and served his
apprenticeship in the office of the Ne
braska Stats zeitung. a German paper,
and the Nebraska City Press. After COM
pleting his apprenticeship he went to Chi
cago where ne Joined the union, and later
worked on most of the morning papers In
the principal cities along the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers.
He came to Washington in 1888, and his
first work in the government printing
office was done on the Record. of which
Mr. Pearson was then foremSn. In 1897
he was transferred to the document proof
room, whence he was promoted to be as
sistant foreman of the Record in 1897,
which position he filled until his promo
ton to be foreman.
In the years that he has been connect ed
with the Record he has thoroughly IA
miliarized himself with all its details, and
he has the happy faculty of keeping his
head and never getting ratified" when
confronted by difficulties
The position of foreman of the Record
Is one of the most trying in the govern
ment printing office. as the work varies
so much in volume that rare good judg-
ment is required to make the necessary
calculations. One day the Record may
make twenty-four pages and the follow
ing day over 100, and it is on such cases.
with all the complications of delayed
copy and authors proofs, that the fore
man has to figure. He is also brought into
relations with senators and members of
Congress and must be so constituted as to
D6 dDie TO carry out their WISHES without
friction, which requires some diplomacy
at times. For these as well as the other
duties of foreman of the Record Mr.. Berg
Is particularly well fitted, both by nature
AMI experience. and it is predicted that
he will be one of the most successful and
satisfactory foremen the Record has ever
had.
In 1901 Mr.. Berg was elected treasurer
of Columbia Typographical Union, No.
10l, and was twice reelected, filing the
Office to the entire satisfaction of all.
He Is closing his second term as president
of Columbia Typographical Union. No. 1ol,
in which position ne has had more condi-
lions to deal with during the last two
years than any president of the union in it's
existence. He was elected delegate at the
last election to represent the union at the
coming session of the international body,
which holds its session at Colorado Springs
in August, which will probably be the most
extraordinary session that has ever been
held on account of the vital questions that
are expected to come before it. Just to
show how popular he Is and what is
thought of Mr.. Berg. it is only necessary
to say that on two occasions he has re-
ceived every vote of his chapel He Is a
Free Mason, being a member of Centennial
Lodge. No. IA; Lafayette Royal Arch
Chapter, No 5; Orient Commandery. No. 5,
knights Templar, and Almas Temple, An
cient Arabic Order of Mobiles of the Mystic
Shrine.
At a meeting on Sunday, May %. 1906,
District Of Columbia Theatrical Protective
Union, Local No. %, /. A. r. S. E., elected
as delegates to the fourteenth national con-
vention, to be held at Boston Mass, sec
ond week in July, the following delegates
and alternates: Eugene H. McMichael and
Harry Sellers. delegates, and c. A Rodier
and John Hines aIternates
Simon Burns. general master workman OF
the Knights of Labor. and other officers OF
the order are endeavoring to secure an
early re-traii of the quo warranto suits
against John W. Hayes and supporters OF
the rival faction. They express confidence
that the litigation which has extended over
a period of six years will end with this
trial and will be in their favor. Imme-
diately after the decision Is given steps will
be taken to restore the once powerful body
TO It's former position in the labor world.
Thomas H. Canning, the general secre-
tary-treasurer, has issued from his office in
this city the following circular letter to
members of the nrler EXnla ni,Lrr iha SitlLa