Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1914-09-24
Stogie Maker Cigar Maker
An1algan1ation Comes IF
Referendum Decides

atives was reached after a two-days'
aonfarence in Cleveland. ending last
Saturday, evening: It comes after
ef.aen years of fruitless conferences,
and, if adopted by the membership OF
10th organizations, will end nearly
half a century Of separation and
omalgamate the two organizations
which will peotect the interests OF
Zach. and will back up the SIogle
W er with the strength of the Cigar
Makers International Union and the
american Federation of Labor.
Assembly Delegates Present.
The Ohio Valley Trades and Labor
Assembly delegates were present at
.ho conference, in the capacity OF
illnesses. having convinced the Cigar
NIatars that the interests of the
n-orkers in the Ohio Valley, lrrespec-
i've of craft, was sufficiently vital to
Justify, them in taking part to that
oytent. The Cigar Makers agreed TO
th;s Init insisted on considering the
Wheeling representatives, L. J. La
Elam and w. B. Hilton as witnesses
FOR the Stogie Makers and insisted
mon having two representatives from
me cleveland Federation of Labor,
thomas S. Farrell and Michael Colo.
smith as witnesses for them. This
was. of course, agreed to.
Conference Opens.
The actual conference began at :
o'clock Thursday afternoon. II was
presided over by President Samuel
Gompers, of the American Federation
of Labor. 1t continued during the af-
ternoon, and then,> at his suggestion
motion prevailed to appoint sui
Committee, of one from each side TO
draw up a plan of amalgamation to
. suhmit to the whole committee. By
motion. President Gompers was invlt
ed to serve with the subcommittee. !.
The subcommittee consisting OF
President Gompers, Fred w. Sender
man for the Stogie Makers, and G. w
Perkins, for the Cigar Makers, sue
ceeded. during Saturday morning, In
reaching a conclusion. Upon present
!. ing this plan to the whole committee
In the afternoon, it was accepted ny
both sides.
The Points.
The chief points in the agreement
are that the Stogie Makers will be
allowed the autonomy of local unions
and the control of their label, which
thew can continue tc issue as at pres
emit. with the exception that the
wording is to be changed as necessary
to suit the amalgamation ana the laDe'
will not be issued beyond the Stogle
Makers present wage 1urlsdlctlon
The Stogie Makers are to be received
in the Cigar Makers international
Union in good standing, with no pay.
ment of Initiation fee, and In full
benefits according to the laws.
The Signers.
The agreement was signed by Presi-
dent Samuel Gompers for the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor, President
w. H. Riley, Secretary Treasurer Fred
w Sonderman and Vice President
Charles Higgins for the Stogie Max
ers' National League, and, as VIII
nesses, Thomas S. Farrell and Mich
ael Goldsmith, of the Cleveland FED
Grafton of Labor, and Leo ]. LaFlar
and Walter B. Hilton, sent by the
Ohio Valley Trades and Labor Assem-
bly,.
Much Rejoicing. :,
There was much rejoicing all
around when the agreement was sign
ed, everybody plainly glad that an
amicable adjustment had been reach
ed, and seeming to believe firmly thai
it was another step in the solidarity
of Labor. and for the best interests
Of all concerned.
The agreement will not be effective
however, until accepted by the mem
bership, as both organizations have
the referendum as part OF their laws
1t is provided that this REFERENDUM
vote shall be taken by both organiza
tons during March, 1915, that for foul
months previous to this the question
shall be open for discussion to botf
Cigar Makers and Stogie Makers II
the formers official journal, and tina
a copy of each issue will be sent al
members of the Stogie Makers. L
the vote is favorable in both organl
cations, the amalgamation will take
effect April is, 1915. r.
The Agreement In Full.
Following is the agreement in full
Cleveland, Ohio, Sept, 10, 1914
The Seattle Convention OF thu
American Federation of Labor IN
structed the Executive Council to con
tinue efforts to bring about the ANAL
gamation of the National Stogie MAX
ers League and the Cigar Makers In
ternational Union. In compliance
herewith, a conference was called D,
Samuel Gompers, president OF tn
>American Federation of Labor, OF TN
representatives of the two organize
tons primarily in interest, to be hel.
at Cleveland, Ohio, September Il
1914. The participants in the confer
ence were: G.. w. Perkins, Thoma
F. Tracy VIM. Strauss, representa-
the Cigar Makers International VI
ion of America. w. H. Riley, Charlie
Higgins, F. w. Sonderman. represent
ing the National 'Stogie Makers
League. and Samuel Gompers, repr'
senting the American Federation
Labor.
After thorough discussion
terms and conditions of the amalg;
nation by which the National Stogi
Makers League would become anna
gamated with the Cigar Makers Int
national Union, the following declar'
uon and terms and conditions
amalgamation were agreed to:
-, The necessity d recognised Z
~ Thorough ogganisstipa Of ~ ~