The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-31
METAL WORKERS
TO FORM COUNCIL
Will Launch Affiliated Organi-
cation to Take Care of
Grievances.
AFFECTS 5000 W0RkMEk
National Officers Arrive TO
Help in Merger of Allied
Industries.

/ Executive officers of the leading
metal trades organizations in the United
States will meet at the Labor Temple.
Fifth and Marshall Streets. tonight
for the purpose of forming in Richmond
a Metal Trades Council to he composed
of the various local organizations draw
ing m en- bership from the Woodworking
Industries
The plan of uniting metal workers
in each community into compact
local body was launched by the Aneri-
can Federation of Labor about eighteen
months ago. ~ has been cSried into
effect in the leading manufacturing
centers of America and was given high
Endorsement az the recent convention
OF the Federation at Rochester.
In the list Of those who will be present
at to-night's meeting are included.
T Flanagan. Of New Orleans, vice
president of tho Brotherhood Of Black
smiths Joseph A. Franklin. OF Kansas
CITY. president of the Brotherhood Of
Boilcrmakers A. !. Berries, of Washing
ton, secretary of the Metal Trades
Department. of the American Fedora
ton of Labor: William II. johnson. of
Washington. president of the Inter
national Association of Machinists
Martin Sullivan, of Chicago. president
of the Amalgamated Association of
Sheet Metal Workers and r. c. Davi-
son. deputy grand lodge president of
the Southeastern division. international
Association OF Machinists.
Affects 5000 Yorkmen.
The local organizations which il is
proposed to affiliate in the Metal
Trades Council, have mem bership of
approximately 5000. The following
nine divisions of the metal industry
at present have organizations in Rich
mond machinists. boilermakers. black
smiths. moulders, patternmakers
plumbers and steamftters. electric
workers. sheet metal workers. and
stationary engineers.
The new organization is designed to
be clearing house for the problems
and grievances of the metal working
trades and will in no way affect the
standing of the organizations which will
form the units of its mem bership.
L nder the model constitution of the
NJ etal Trade Councils, no unit has the
power Of presenting an ultimatum or
ordering a walk-out without the con-
sent of the council
The council scheme is based on the
that the allied metal trades
will be better able to secure an adjust
ment of their grievances when acting
as an affiliated and sympathetic body.
tndn as eptcld!lLeC OlElelOns- SuCh an
inference. II Is stated. has been sun
ported by the experience with ~
councils in other cities. Y
Would Have Prevented Strike.
Had the proposed Metal Trades
Council been in existence last year.
il was stated yesterday. the boiler
makers strike "a the plant of the
A merican Locomotive Company might
have been avoided. The boilerrnakers
could not have walked out without
the concurrence Of the other mem Der
ship units OF the council. The coufcil's
i'm ediate work IN Richmond. il was
stated, will be TO secure for its mem
bers d nine-hour law in d mum Der of
industries where this Il not accorded. .
and 20 improve sanitary conditions in
factories.
The meeting tonight will elect
officers and appoint committees 70
draft constitution and bylaws for
the Richmond Metal Trades Council
Each OF tho nine metal working in
dustries represented In the city by
organizations. viii be allowed six
votes The meeting Will be called al
: clock and will he omen 10 the public i