The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-11-18
PIPE MEN ACTIVE.
Plumbers and Allied Unions In
Harmonious Session.
TWO YEARS OF PROGRESS.

Association Reports Increased Mem.
bershiP and Strengthened Financial
Position-Salsries Of General Officers
Raised.
The seventeenth biennial convention
OF the United Association of Plumbers.
Gasitters, Steam6tters and Steamfit-
ters Helpers, held recently at st.
Paul. was a memorable event In the
history Of the organization. Not only
was 1t the largest and most earnest
convention Of the several crafts I'm the
association ever held. but 1t also dealt
with some of the most important
problems ever presented to them for
consideration.
The reports Of the officers state that
from the LIST Of January this year up
to the present date more local unions
have been organized than ever before
Tor that length Of time. The union
has gained an increase in membership
since July ]. 1908, which will reach
1900 members. If not more. Ninety
six local unions were organized, thirty
eight of them since January, 1910, and
101 strikes occurred. Out Of this num-
Der three were lost
From July /, 1908. to July this
year there was paid out S139,009 for
benefits. OF this amount $60995 was
for sick benefits, $59,414 for strike
honnAto on6 al
collected thousands of dollars by vol.
untary subscriptions.
There has also been spent a consid-
cradle amount Of money in securing
state and local laws for the protection
of the trade and society by bringing
about better sanitation and more rigid
inspection.
The rapid increase in the member
ship of the association and the general
activity Of the labor movement all over
the country have made the duties of the
officers much more onerous and exact
ing than they used to be. The conven-
ton recognized this fact and sought
to make suitable provision for the add
ed requirements. The number of gen
eral organizers was raised from seven
to nine and the salary of each from
81 300 to $1,000 year. And in further
recognition Of the increasing burden
Of official life the salary Of the presi-
dent was raised from $500 to $4,000
year and that Of the secretary the
same.
Another important step in the line
Of progress taken by the convention
was a large increase of the reserve
fund. This has been for some years
fixed at 100000. The st. Paul con-
vention determined to increase it to
$25O,00O, and the indications are that
the addition will be made within the
next two years. This fund is used to
further the interests Of the various
crafts in the association and to fur
nish munitions of war in case of
strikes or lockouts. With a reserve
fund Of $25O,000 in hand the associa-
ton will be one Of the richest and
best equipped in the country for what
ever may arise in the way of trouble.
A movement was also started by
the st. Paul convention looking to the
establishment Of a home for sick or
members Of the different
crafts in the association similar to the
Union Printers home at Colorado
Springs. Colo, and that Of the Print
ing Freshmen and Assistants union
located in Tennessee. A special COM
mittee was appointed to inquire into
the feasibility Of such a project. and
at the Boston convention two years
hence it is probable that definite steps
will be taken for the establishment Of
such an institution.
The membership Of the association
is composed of four different classes
Of workmen plumbers, gasfitters.
and steamtitters' helpers
each Of which has its own unions in
all parts of the country. From time
to time there have been dissensions
among them, and sometimes the feel
Ing has become warm. One of the
most gratifying features Of the late
was the entire harmony
that prevailed among these various
classes Of workmen and the unity OF
effort with which they all worked for
the common good Of the association.