The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1913-01-24


intelligence the men in the lumber in
dustry are known to possess.
The increasing concentration of cap
ital in the lumber industry has made
it harder and harder for the shingle
weavers-being the only branch organ
lied and representing but a small
fraction of the men employed-to hold
their own against these growing for
ces. This condition had compelled
thought about the possibilities of ex-
tending our jurisdiction to include all
workmen engaged in the industry
This matter was first considered in
connection with the suggestion Of
fered at the Sedro-Woolley convention
by General Organizer c. o. Young. By
instructions of the convention the sub
ject was fully investigated during the
year. Many conferences were held
with many different persons in many
different places. A strong effort was
made to work out the details of an eX-
tended form of organization which
would meet the needs of the woods
men and sawmill workers and at the
same time not ieopardize the organi-
zation already in existence.
Plan of Organization.
l feel that if the workers in the
lumber industry were organized on a
departmental plan, allowing shingle
weavers as now organized, with the
addition of those working around shin
gle mills not previously eligible to
membership included, to constitute
one department, the men employed in
sawmills to constitute another depart
ment, and the woodsmen a third, we
would be approaching the problem
from the most practical side
To my mind the proper method OF
procedure in beginning the work of or
ganizing is to use the present estab
lished shingle weavers locals to act as
a nucleus or centre around which the
other and now unorganized men
in the industry can be brought togeth
er. By starting mixed locals of this
sort the new members viii have the
benefit of the weavers in the manner
of carrying on the detailed affairs of
the union. This method would also
prove valuable in keeping the newly
organized men from becoming victims
of desiging employers,
To guard the principle of autonomy
permit the particular business of the
organization to be done by those most
familiar with the details of the sew
eral departments, I would suggest
that a measure be incorporated giving
to each local branch the right to vote
on and decide separately those ques-
tions not of a sufficient magnitude to
properly justify a decision of a joint
executive board or an international
officer. This law could apply equally
we'll in either mixed locals or after
they have become segregated.
This segregation should take place
when the mixed locals have become
so big as to become unwieldy, or when
for any other reason it appears that
the business of the organization can
be better managed or conserved by
such action.
When more than one local of either
department or of the same depart
ment, are organized in the same city
or in places adjacent to each other,
a Joint executive board should be ere
ated by the election of delegates in
such numbers as may be desired or
agreed upon From the delegates so
chosen, the officers of the board
should be selected, after which regu-
lar meetings should be held to con-
slider such matters as may be passed
on to them from any of the locals,
Where only mixed locals are organ
lied, the body as a whole can con-
slider questions in which the several
departments have a common concern,
and upon which joint action is de-
Initiation and Dues.
The rate of dues and initiation fees
to be fixed for the new members we
hona soon TO haza-in~ osfr ranks, will