The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-09-22
PRINTERS HOME
Tho Monument to Trade Union.
is,r at Colorado Springs.
About $50 "Gues:," Now En-
joy It's Shelter and Benefits.

nUOUI lou 0N6Sv5 WCW EUs
joy It's Shelter and Benefits.
Standing on the summit of a high
hill just east of the city os Colorado
Springs, Colo, is an institution unique
in Its character, successful in its plan,
and model that bids fair to be fol-
lowed by the erection Of similar insti-
tutions. 1t is the Union Printers
Home. built and maintained by the
members Of the International Typo
graphical Union for the use and bene-
At of the sick. disabled and INDECENT
members of the craft, says Will NJ.
Maupin in the Commoner.
1t is the only institution of it's kind
built and maintained by trades I'M
ion. and it's success has been so mani
fest that other trades unions have
taken the preliminary steps looking
towards the erection Of similar homes
for their members.
For nearly thirty years the union
printers of the country discussed at
their annual conventions the subject
of erecting home" for needy crafts
men. but 1t was not until the conven-
ton of 1888 that the project took tan
gible form. At that convention a COM
loot VIZ
Childs. editor and publisher of the
Philadelphia Ledger, Offering to start
a fund for the erection of home by
donating $4,000. Immediately the con-
vention decided to accept the offer and
to begin active work towards the end
sought. Later, Mr.. Childs partner in
the banking business, Mr.. Drexel, gave
an additional $4,000 for the home fund.
This $4,000 is all that was ever con-
tributed by outsiders for the erection
of the home, the rest of the money
being contributed directly Ivy the union
printers of the country. The publicity
given to the Childs- Drexel donations
gave rise to the erroneous idea that
Messrs. Childs and Drexel built and
endowed the home. At first it was
known as The Childs-Drexel Home
for Union Printers" but tho name was
soon discarded and it is Low known
as 1.-The Union Printers Homo"
Citizens of Colorado Springs donat-
ed land upon which to erect the home
but every dollar raised for it's erection
and maintenance. with the exception
above noted, has been raised by the
voluntary contributions and assess
ments of the printers themselves. Some
idea of what may be done by co-opera-
ton may be had by noting that al
though the International Typographical
Union numbered barely 10000 members
when the start on the home was made,
and has never reached $4,000 since,
more than 100000 has been expended
in the building and maintaining of the
home.
The home was dedicated in 1892, and
from that date to the present time its
growth has been phenomenal, and its
management has been such as to reflect
great credit upon the union which sup
ports it. There was but one building
at the start, stone structure four
stories high, including the high base
ment, In which Is located the dining
rooms, billiard room, barber shop and
kitchen. Within short time after the
completion and occupancy of this
building it was found imperative that
hospital be erected for the treatment
OF tuberculosis patients-that disease
being unusually prevalent in the craft
and the complaint of majority Of
those demanding constant treatment.
The question of finance Immediately
presented itself. How may we obtain
the money!" asked the trustees of the
home. Tell us how mucn you want
and We'll give It," came the ready re-
Spouse from the rank and file. 1t was
decided to ask every member of the
union to contribute SO cents at Christ
mas time that year as a christmas
present to the home, and the request
was made. The answer was 80 unan-
imous that before the first of February
enough money was in hand to erect and
equip a splendid three-story hospital
annex. In this annex tuberculosis pa
tients receive the best Of care and at
tention. In addition tents Of unique
construction have been placed about
the grounds. and all those who may
be benefited by life in these tents are
placed therein. The tents are thor
| oughly ventilated, steam heated in
winter and possess every modern con-
| venience.
The home is maintained by an as
sessment Of ten cents a month upon
| every member Of the International. The
assessment was h,,t Hve cants r,,onth