Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1913-01-24
union
GIVES 4 SMOKER
New Quarters Christened with Elegant
observation-disclosures Harris
Principal Speaker

meeting in their new quarters upstairs
in the Dunn & DAILY block. The crowd
packed the hall and overflowed into
the next room, where a number We're
forced to stand. At least a hundred
workingmen were present when Presi-
dent Finch called the meeting to
order.
/ in his opening remarks President
Finch spoke of the necessity of friend
ship among the workingmen, since
their interests were identical. 1t was
the desire Of the union to promote
good fellowship among its members,
and in opening the new quarters for
the local each and every member must
feel at home.
He then introduced Hon. w. w. Har-
rls, Bryan's recently elected mayor,
who addressed the audience for a
short while.
Mayor Harris stated that he ap-
peared before them as a fellow work
ingman, a union member since 1876.
He approved of union labor. The men
higher up do not appreciate the diff
culties with which the workingmen
contend and have no sympathy for
them. Organization among the labor
ing men is the only weapon against
the encroachment OF capital.
Mr.. Harris said he was no Socialist,
but that the monied corporations
robbed the general public; their cor.
ruption of public officials and the
Government is the shame of the land;
and that these great m~onopolies, who
do not hesitate to do any dirty work
for their W gain, do not hesitate to
Cypress their employees.
He congratulated the union on their
new quarters and their membership,
now numbering over one hundred.
In his capacity as Mayor of Bryan,
he found upon assuming the office that
the affairs of the city were in a de-
plorable condition He feared that his
term would not be long enough to al
low him time to get things straight
ened out, but would put into this work
the very best that was in him.
Mayor Harris stated that he was
elected Mayor by the support OF the
local union, and was heartily APP.
plauded.
Mr.. Harris said that many of the
representatives elected to make the
laws of the land did not represent the
people. 1t is but fair that the men
who build the cities should reap the
reward. Instead they only get a pit,
tance-often only enough to exc out
a poor existence. The people were
sleeping on their rights in allowing
lawmakers to be elected who cared
nothing for the craftsmen, who are 70
per cent of the population Of this
country. Something was wrong some
where. The system of government was
wrong, he feared, that permitted this
In closing, he mentioned the power
full future of the union If they should
continue to stick firmly together.
Judge j.. T. Maloney was next On the
program, but owing to other engage.
poonte mag ,,nobIa tn annaor
Upon invitation Rev. S. w. Buch
anan addressed the gathering. He said
that he had been a workingman in
Bryan for a. period of about forty
Years. He was a laboring man, but as
to the question of union labor, "it was
too broad for your humble servant.
He spoke of the advantages of brother
hood and pointed out that whenever
any great pur0"-C was accomplished
in the past, history showed that it was
brought about through organization.
A. ]. Neff Of College Station sale
that he had had experience in WORKING
men and found that in employing onl!
union help he got more work done by
fewer men, and better work with les'
supervising. He spoke of the enthu
lsiasm shown in the local union ant
stated that he was always in favor o
the union.
C. H. Ivy, ex-president of the local
said a few words, and c. L. McCo!
made a speech. He said that the eight
hour day was brought about through
the Carpenters Union, and presented
to other labor organizations.
Mr.. Finch then stated that the pun
poses of the union were to protect tn,
workingman, and to guarantee tina
the contractors and buyers Of labo
should receive the most for thei
money. They ~endeavored to help tn,
workman to a higher plane of crafts
manship. Competency was their frs
aim.
In Bryan the union has brough
about the doubling of the wages whicl
many formerly received. The uniol