The Washington herald., 1912-03-24
Items, General and Personal,
OF Interest to @. P.O. Workers

I John B. Dickman. Of the day proof
room. has again been elected a member
Of the board Of directors Of the District
Playground Association.
Theodore RIer, of Baltimore. who was
employed as a pressman IN the ONCE
several years ago at the Treasury branch,
has been reappointed.
Col. W. A. Tebbetts. a gallant soldier
OF the civil war. for many years a G.
P. o. employe, who retired to enjoy the
pleasures OF life at the home at Hamp-
ton Roads, visited many Of his former
, associates last week and was given a
cordial reception.
The death Of Walter Virgil Smith re-
moves from the ranks OF the typograph-
ical fraternity one of the most popular
men who ever held membership in CO.
lumbia Union. A most congenial COM
panion in the workshop or outside. "a
fellow Of infinite jest" with never a
word of harm of his fellow-man. no man
had more sincere friends than had Wal
ter Smith, and his death is universally
regretted. In the year book of Columbia
Union appears the following sketch Of
the deceased:
Walter Virgil Smith. vice president of
Columbia typographical Union, No. 101,
Is from the Sunny South. being a native
Of the Palmetto State. He was born in
Columbia. s. C., on March /. 1871 At an
early age he entered upon an apprentice
ship to the printing trade under the tu-
| torship Of his father, ID. A Smith. editor
Of the Keowee Courier. published at
Walhaila, s. c. Like so many devotees
Of the printers art who have gone be-
fore him. Mr.. Smith did not long imbibe
the influences of a printing ONCE before
he sought that most natural field OF the
ambitious and capable printer-journal-
ism-and when but a mere youth he be-
came the editor and proprietor of the
Seneca Free Press. which he published
weekly at Seneca. s. c. In this venture
he probably went through many OF the
experiences which are generally part of
the life OF the editor OF a country news
paper-much hard work, a great and con-
tinuing lack Of the 'needful" consider
able fun. boundless experience in the
study Of human nature. and an occasion
al thrilling experience; but that he sue
cessfully passed through the thrilling
part of the business In evident from his
presence In the flesh at this time. Later
on he gave up the publication of this
paper, accepting a better and more lu-
crative position with the Dodson Print
ers' Supply Depot. Atlanta. Ga. in the
confidential clerk. From there he went
to Columbia, s. C.. as compositor on the
Daily Register, being detailed on. the
State printing during the sessions or the
legislature.
In the summer Of 1880 he came to WASH
ington. and was shortly thereafter given
an appointment as a compositor In the
Government Printing once. being as
signed cases in the first division chapel.
since which time he has worked In nearly
all the departments Of the big printery.
Mr.. Smith early evinced an interest in
the aims. ideas. and beliefs OF unionism,
and as an earnest OF his devotion to
those principles he became a member of
the typographical union when very young
In years. but at the same time well
grounded in the teachings OF the school
Of organized labor. He Joined the local
union in Columbia, s. c.. in the year 1890.
being at that time eighteen years old.
At the election for officers held on May
3. 1900, he was candidate for vice preSi-
dent, and won that honor handny, re-
ceiving the hatterins vote Of 7sl out OF
the total Of Lob ballots cast Besides
taking a commendable interest in union
affairs, he was identified with the Ma
sonic fraternity, was a knight OF PythiaS
and a member Of the National Union.
In all OF these great fraternities he was
well and favorably known. and always
took keen interest In their welfare.