The Washington herald., 1909-08-10

St Joseph, Mo-. Aug. 9.-The ffty-nfth
convention OF the international Typo
graphical Union convened to-day In the
Coliseum. St Joseph's big convention hall.
Addresses OF welcome were made by
Mayor Clayton. President Burnham. OF
the local typographical union, and others.
and response by President Lynch, Of
the International Typographical Union,
after which the convention began cOnsid-
Grafton OF a large volume OF business.
ultimately adjournlng until Tuesday morn
Ing 10 hear tho report OF the credentials
committee on contested seats.
The reports Of President Lynch and Sec
retary-Treasurer Hays show great prog
ress made by the union during the last
year.
The International Typographical Union
Is hfty-seven years old. and with the
present gathering has held ffty-fye con-
ventions during its lifetime In 1896 and
1898 biennial conventions were held. The
international Typographical Union claims
10 DO the oldest national or international
organization OF skilled labor in the world.
Its sessions here this week are attended
Want Insurance Feature.
Matters Of Importance that are 70 como
before the convention are propositions for
the establishment OF an insurance feature
and certain changes proposed IN the pen
sion policy that was made effective by
the union one year ago. The relations be-
tween the union and the American News
paper Publishers Association will also DO
up for consideration.
The International Typographical Union
has many features that are unique with
labor organizations. and which stamp this
union az one Of the most progressive in
the labor field. The pension policy. for
instance. is distinctive with the Intorna-
tiOnal Typographical Union. Under the
pension law members who have reached
the age Of sixty years and are unable Ia
secure sustaining employment at the
trade are paid 81 per week The payment
OF pensions has heretofore been consid-
cred the function OF the government. but
IN this instance the union evidently be-
heves that It's veterans should be taken
care Of, independent OF state of nation.
The payment of pensions began with the
first Of last August. and up to May 81.
when the unions fiscal year closed. SG7.-
ocV llaA uttA pdlQ leuSlouckbt Wlllo the
administration Of the fund had cost only
$4,000.
Union Printers Home.
The union also conducts a home AZ
Colorado Springs, and contributed during
its fiscal year TO this institution Sss.5lS. 81.
The actual expense OF conducting the
Union Printers Home was S72,59S94 and
there was a balance IN the home fund OF
So, 33L63. The receipts and expenditures
Of the home from it's inception to May
81. 1893. were SS67. 10 and 1886. 46366 The
home property AZ Colorado Springs Is
valued at Sl,OO0.O00.
The union pays a burial benefit OF SO.
During the fiscal year there were 500
deaths. and the benefits paid amounted
10 S3S175.
Fox advertising its union label the union
paid out G6lL4s
The expenditures OF the international
Typographical Union during its fiscal year
were Sl61.54445.
From the year 1891 10 1909 the union re-
ceived @.lSS,05.75. and expended $780,
$3.50, this sum including the expense Of
conducting the Union Printers Home.
The union has membership OF G7,I74
II conducts a technical school at Chi
cago for the benefit OF It's members and
apprentices who desire to perfect them
selves In their trade.
The sessions OF the convention will con
tinue throughout the week.