The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-01-18
BIG MASS MEETING HELD IN
COURT THEATER SUNDAY
AFTERNOON
Meeting Called Primarily 10 Bring
About Better Feeling Between
Stopie and Cigar Makers

meeting highly complimentary to
the labor world. and particularly TO
the labor interests OF Wheeling. was
held yesterday afternoon in the Court
Theater More than 400 persons.
mostly men. filled the vast auditorium
TO listen TO the ideas OF unionism as
propounded and delivered by men OF
international merit in the labor world
Samuel Gompers. president OF the
American Federation Of Labor. was
the principal speaker OF the after
noon. although he was closely second
ed by Joseph Tracey, first vice presi-
dent OF the International Cigar Max
ers' union. and Fred Sonderman. In
ternationsl Secretary Of the StuEie
Makers union u Is needless 10 say
that the meeting held here was for
the purpose OF creating an interest in
unionism, and the good to be accom-
plished therein.
The primary reason. however. Of
this union agitation il to affiliate the
International Cigar Makers union
and the Stogie Makers union under
one distinct head. Mr. Gompers left
last night at ll;45 o'clock for Wash
ington. ID. C., but the other two gen
tlemen will remain in the city for a
few days to further plans towards the
afiiliation OF these two bodies.
Immediately following the meeting
yesterday banquet was served at
the Paradise Mesa restaurant. at
tended by the speakers and the com
mittee in charge OF the affair From
all indications. the meeting yesterday
will have a great effect on the situa-
ton. which involves about I. 200 men
here in this vicinity. None OF the
speakers yesterday referred in any
way TO the present trouble In Eastern
Ohio.
The meeting opened promptly at .
o'clock by a piano solo by Miss Pau
line Stiehm. LEO J. LaFlam. OF this
city. was president Of the entertain
meut and arrangements committee for
the meeting and introduced the chair
man OF the meeting Charles II. Hug
gins. president Of the Ohio Valley
Trades and Labor Assembly Nj La
Flam outlined the purpose OF the
meeting and drew attention 20 the
many benefits 10 be derived from or
Mr.. Tracey Speaks
Mr.. Higgins replied very briefly and
introduced Mr. Tracey who spoke as
follows. Fellow wOrkmen. I wish to
thank you. not only for myself. but
for the body hat ! represent. the IN
ternational CHAR Makers Association.
FOR your presence here this afternoon.
and hspe that what you hear here
10
press purpose and desire 10 see the
cigar makers and the stogie makers
or this country. united under one
head. that the strength OF one may
aid the other
The International cigar makers
union deals with an OF the cigar max.
ers. not only Of this country. but the
cigar makers Of all other countries
lie then told Of she history Of the ci-
gar makers union. which started ne
said in the year 1897 with less than
700 members. Now, there are. accord
ing 70 the speaker. more than s. 900
men and women working under the
head ~ this organization During the
time intervening there has been So
cured an eight hour day. PAYS sick
benefits. wife death benefits and etc
he further said that the efoFie max
ers would be- taken into the cigar max
ers union without the least change in
their REGULAR way Of doiuk 40 adj
ditional OBLIGATIONS would need To- be-
taken
Convict Labor.
BE spoke Of the convict labor crit.
risinE the system. and showing that
the labor Del dominated bv faw rrr.
sons or concerns Ito named tho
Sterling Manufacturing Company and
the Reliance Manufacturing COMPANY
as beinE The trust" controlling mo
majority ~ tho convict labor Of tho
country BE declared that they maid
j. cents Tor convict labor boz Rhode
Island. and so cents Tor convict labor
In Nebraska
Mr. Fred W. Sonderman vas tho,
introduced. and advised tho sf1rfa
makers Thar 10 was FOR their Interest
TO affiliate With the cigar makers fr.
said That h. bad commended that OBJ.
cigar trade and The er1rIr trade Vrrs
separate and distinct feature. f..
That De vac Inclined f1 believe H4f D.
was Tor The good of an f1 affiliate
now Mr. Sorforuan aaid hr believed
fhat 30 would Do cool time Tor ar
when 'he cigar makers and ffa a.HeIs
makers could Erssr tan1a and work
together
Mr. William % Ebrerfs rer rem.