Evening journal., 1907-09-02
LABOR'S
LIFE HISTORY
HERE REVIEWED
Wearing Many Battle Scars
They Continue Their Fight
For Improvement
STRUGGLES IN THE PAST


big celebration to-day and the turnout
has been held in Wilmington for a num-
Der of years on Labor Day.
Since the formation Of organized labor
i'm this city the unions of wage earners
have never been in a more nour.shing con-
dition.
The Plumbers Union, NO 26. while
wearing many battle scars, is still doing
business at the same old stand. No. SIS
Market street This union was pretty
well used up some four years ago, when
they went through prolonged strike,
for a raise in wages and the closed shop.
After much loss on both sides the men
finally went TO work at almost the same
conditions that were prevailing when they
went on strike. At present the Plumbers
arc holding 65 members in good standing,
and they are again out with demand for
a slight increase in pay and the closed
shop. but the outcome of which is hard
TO DISCERN. The Plumbers are being OFF,
cerod by John II. Price. president; r. w.
kramer secretary, and William II. Nor
ford, treasurer.
The Machinists of this city felt the ne
cessity, of Organization IN 1901, and two
local lodges were dnstituted-Nos. 1si and
26l. shortly after the Machinists had be-
come organized the strike for a nine hour
day was called, and the members Of the
two lodges went gut almost to a man, and
were successful in gaining victory. In
1902 the two lodges merged into one local,
No 1Sl now Having a membership of over
$50 and still growing. Its officers are
James Underwood president; Arthur Jen-
pings. secretary and Frank Hauck, treas
urer.
-Four years ago the Sheet Metal Work
ors Of this city, decided 70 form union
and ask for more wages. Soon after their
union was instituted they had over fifty
members They got raise to SIG a week.
closed shop and an s-hour day. The
Sheet Metal Workers will ask tomorrow
for 1920 and eight hours At present they
have a membership of sixty, all in good
standing. Their officers are; Samuel Will
llams, president; Larry Walls, secretary
and Berch Greenfield, treasurer
Irong and Steel Workers.
Chrsuana Lodge No. !, Iron and Steel
Workers. was instituted fiye years ago.
and soon had membership of several
hundred The union kept in a fiourishing
condition until the time the Diamond State
Steel Works shut down. Then the mem-
bers were thrown out Of employment and
nearly all Of them were compelled to seek
employment in other cities. A few Of the
members however, kept up the charter
and when tho johnson Forge started up
the men kept returning until the union has
now a membership Of 175. and the outlook
for the future bespcaks a membership of
from 800 to COO. A great deal Of the sue
cess of the Chrstlana Lodge is due TO the
untirlng work of Edward Conlyn The Of
Rcers are: John T. Welsh, president;
George zigler. secretary, and Thomas
Watkins, treasurer.
Carpenters Unions.
sixteen or eighteen years ago there
fourished in this city local union, No
40. composed Of House Carpenters. It be
ing during the hey day of the Knights OF
Labor, nearly every journeyman carpenter
was a member, among them being the
well-known contractors, John Healy and
Howard May The local began to dwindl'
down. and in 1900 there was nothing left
Of the once prosperous union. In 1901 Louis
]. Thompson together with nine othei
carpenters, applied for a charter from thu
brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners
and this local. number GIG, has been -four
ishing ever since. Its membership grew
steadily, and last year reached mem
bership Of 500.
! ..F fr 90 rr
ceiving S225 a day. but many Of them
were receiving anywhere from 81 day tc
Sl.75, working from 10 to u hours a day
The carpenters were no sooner organized
than the minimum wage of S2.25 a day
was established, and all union carpenters
received no less. Then followed two more
raises. one TO $3.50 for eight hours and thu
next to $500 for eight hours. The car
penters are now asking for $3.50 a day
land many Of the contractors are paying
it
The officers Of No. e2s are william r
Jones, president; M. T.. Richie secretary
and John r.. Grior, treasurer.
Local Union, No. 1926, Brotherhood o
Carpenters and Joiners, is composed o
men working in the mills and are classeC
as inside men. This local has about th'
same membership as 626, and is in
nourishing condition. 1t was formerl,
a local Of the Amalgafnated Wood
Workers, but five years ago it decided
to Withdraw from same and Joined the
Brotherhood
Loci 1897 another local Of the Broth
erhood was born nearly two years ago
and already has a membership of sixty
i've and is stn growing Its officers ar'
William G. Retting, president; Charlie
shumar. secretary and William p. Fox
treasurer.
Brotherhood of Painters.
There are four different locals OF tn
brotherhood Of Painters, Decorators and
Paperhangers Of America. there being on
Of the Housepainters, one for the Paper,
hangers, another for the Car and Ship
Painters and san another for the Car
riage and Railroad Equipment Painters
Local ga has had a very successful caree
ever since it was started as an unafhli
ated body seven years ago. The House.
painters organized Sunday. January H. al
Fourth and shipley streets. Soon after
ward they had their wages raised from
S225 TO $3.50 for nine hours. April, 1902
they asked for $3.50 for an S-ihour dag
which was granted. but not until after
struggle of six months duration. on IN
l2Sth of April. 1902. the Housepainter.
, joined the Brotherhood. January, 100;
they again made a demand this time 70
S2S) for eight hours, which was obtained
Anru 1qf ~ tho rraeonf wear thew aske