Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-24

/ Recommendation. The union has rot held a
convention since the session at Toronto.
Canada In July. 1902, owing to the expense,
the last meeting having cost $5414o.70. 1t
is estimated that a convention cannot be
held this year for less than $50 0eA.
business has been conducted satisfactorily
| by the referendum system. but many MEM
bers favor holding a convention and express
the opinion that the benefit to the organiza-
ZION VIII warrant the expenditure. A NUM-
per. however. believe that it will be use
| less waste of money, and declare the funds
or the union can he used to better advan-
tage in obtaining improved conditions In
some sections of the country.
Martin MCGUIRE, leader in the New York
organization, has written to headquarters on
the subject and says:
AT the last meeting of our local there
was read a circular from headquarters call
ing for referendum vote on the question of
holding a convention In July, 1906. 1 noticed
that the national officers in issuing this cir
cular refrained from making any sugges-
lions or recommendations, and placed the
question of holding a convention this year
squarely up to the members and l expect
that the members of the Iron holders Union
Will take intelligent action. There are sew
eral good reasons why a convention would
be to the interest of all. 1t would give the
opportunity of getting together and compar-
ing notes; we would have chance of care
fully examining our constitution and make
any changes which might be necessary, and
without doubt we would be able to take a
much-desred STEP and increase the dues
For very good reasons. however, / DO not
believe in convention this year. For the
past two years the National Founders AS
ISOLATION has been forcing us to fight to
hold the conditions and wages we had al
ready secured, and 1t looks now as though
they intended to force the issue even more
aSsressfvely the coming year than ever be-
fore. To hold our own means the spending
of money, and as have hundreds of
members on strike in Philadelphia. Utica,
Worcester and Racine, as well as in other
localities, and as these strikers require for
their proper support thousands of dollars
each week, l believe that we would not be
justified by the results in spending $4,000 to
hold a convention when this money is
CURED to support the members of the mold
ers union who are so manfully fighting the
battles of the organization. The strikes dur
ing the past year must have consumed
large portion of the dues being paid, and
what money the national union may have in
reserve should be used this year in assisting
our members on strike. and promoting bet
ter conditions In many localities, rather than
In holding conven ton.
Stationary Firemen's Union, No 5e. of
New York city, international Brotherhood
of Stationary Ffremen, reported al recent
meeting that in conformity with the recon-
mendations of the American Federation Of
Labor, 1t would start a school of instruction.
Non-union men are to be invited to attend
its lectures, and one given to undue in
diligence in alcoholic stimulants will be rec
ognized.
Each of the 24,O00 employees of the Boston
and Maine railroad is to be asked to con-
tribute l per cent of his earnings to es-
tablish a monster pension fund, the road to
contribute an equal amount. 1t is expected
to raise about $4,000 in this way, which
will equal the fund of the Pennsylvania
where there are over four times the number
of employees.
strike of 200o slate workers is on at
Poultney and West Pawlett, VT, and Gran
vile, N. Y. The company reduced the wages
of the men per cent. They quit work i'm
mediatey. They had union but organ
lied one after going out. The strike IS the
largest ever known in the slate industry of
this or any other country, it is said.
Boston (Mass.) Seamen's, Theatrical Stage
Employees and the Musicians Unions have
all begun the arrangements for the interna-
tional conventions of their crafts, which are
to be held in Boston in 1906 the musicians
in May, the stage employees in July and the
seamens in December.
New York city engraving companies in
Guiding the firms that make bank notes,
have launched move to establish the open
shop in that branch of the printing industry
The latest union to join the labor ranks in
Los Angeles, CAL is the bootblacks. 1t is
said that in short time all bootblacks in
the city will be members.