The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-14
AS Set Forth i'm Report to Con
ventiOn of Printers.
MEET IN HOT SPRINGS
About 1900 Delegates and
Visitors in Attendance.
Proposition to Pension Super
animated WOrkmen.

Hot Springs. Ark-The f1fty-third
convention of the International Typo
graphical union was called to order
Monday morning in the spacious din
ing room of the Eastman hotel, which
has been temporarily converted into a
convention hall. Addresses of well
come were made by the mayor of the
city, the officers of the local union and
others, and were responded 90 by
President James NJ. Lynch. The re-
ports of officers were then presented
to the convention. About 1900 dele
gates and visitors are in attendance.
The report of President Lynch is a
comprehensive document, and covers
the progress made by the Interna-
tional typographical union for the
Springs convention, and also outlines
new policies and touches upon those
that have become a part of the work
and history of the organization.
Among other things an aggressive
campaign for the union label is rec
commended, and it is quite likely that
this subject will occupy considerable
OF the conventions time. The cam
pafgn for an eight-hour day. which
has been vigorously prosecuted by the
International Typographical union for
nearly two years, is touched upon ex-
tensively. and it is shown that this
movement has been attended with a
very large degree of success, about
working not more than eight hours
per day.
In the presidents report the pro-
position to pension the superannuated
and incapacitated members of the
union is given considerable space.
This feature. If adopted will be a new
venture for the union, but it is looked
on with much favor by the delegates,
and undoubtedly a proposition EN-
bracing the pension feature will be
submitted to a membership vote Of
the International Tvnoe,ra nhicaI
union.
This union. on the introduction of
typesetting machines. avoided the err
ror committed by other trade unions
in fighting the machine, and encour-
aged and advised the members to
learn the operation of the new device
Because of that wise policy nearly all
typesetting machines are now oper-
ated by union printers. This subject
is touched upon in the presidents re-
port. and the membership is advised
to continue the friendly attitude to-
ward the machine, and to create the
greatest opportunity for the instruc-
ton of union printers in the operation
of typesetting devices.
Sanitary Conditions.
Another most important proposition
touched upon in the presidents re-
in composing rooms throughout the
country The president strongly ad-
vises that local unions insist on
healthful workrooms, and without
the convention will endorse
the presidents recommendation. The
movement for the stamping out of
tuberculosis has become national and
the union printers believe that they
are vitality interested in its success |
has for many years been
the scourge of the printing trade. and
the Union Printers home at present |
contains large number of patients
who are suffering from the white |
plague. 1t is believed by the union
printers that unsanitary and badly |
ventilated composing rooms are re-
sponsible for much of the tuberculosis |
that exists among them, and they pro-
pose to see to it that they are not |
made victims of a disease that In /
nearly all cases spells death. From the |
expressions of the delegates it is evil
dent that there will be drastic action |
by the convention along this line
The arbitration agreement between |
the American Newspaper Publishers
association and the International Ty-
geographical union il given extended |
notice in the presidents report. 1t is |
shown that about 200 of the larger
newspapers of the country have arbi-
tration contracts with the Internatfon-
al Typographical union. 1t is also de-
that this agreement has
been of great value to the union and |
that many increases in wages have
been secured under it in a peaceable
way. The operation OF this agreement
thus far has been a distinct success.
and it is believed that there will he
but little friction under it. 1t will ex-
pire in 1912.
The president recommends rigid
rules for the education of apprentices.
The union seeks to turn out first class
workmen, believing that the better
ment of conditions and the securing or
a fair wage depends to large extent
On the ability of the workman.
The Union Printers home, as stated
by the president in his report, is
most successful institution. 1t is sup
ported and maintained entirely by the
International Typographical union.
md IS the only institution of its kind
n the world.
The Unions Fiscal Record.
Secretary-Treasurer Brentwood in
his report. shows that the collections
'or the year ending May 81, 1907, have
reached the enormous total of $1939.-
'04.91, and the expenditures $1,642.-
I41.94, leaving a balance in the treas
Try of $296, S62.97. There was also
collected during the same period. for
he support of the Union Printers
home, $61.931.4O.
The secretary-treasurer shows that
he expenditures from the burial fund
or the year reached the sum of sac
40 The total expenditures from this
'und since its establishment in 1892
lave been $443.1O5. The average age