Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-08-29

total membership at this time is
34,1S9.
To Elect Tomorrow
At to-morrow's sessions the Off
GERS for the ensuing year will be
chosen, and a selection will be made
of the city in which the next ses-
sions of the national council will he
held. Providence, r. l., is likely 10
be selected as the place of the sew
enty-second session.. according to the
representatives who are here, but
Concord, n. H., will make strong
bid for the convention.
Pleased With Name
More than two hundred delegates
are accredited members of the na-
tional council of the Order of United
American Mechanics. Practically all
of the delegates who will attend the
sessions which are to continue
throughout to-day and tomorrow
are now in the city.
Great interest has centered around
the selection of a new title by which
the order will be known in the fu-
ture, and delegates agree that the
name, American Men" is one ad-
mirably suited to the organization.
The committee appointed to ad-
wise the ritual has completed its
work. The report has been present
ed to the representatives of the
many state and local organizations
who are in attendance here, and
final action upon this important mat
ter was concluded at this mornings
session.
In a measure, the committee on
revision have had their work laid
out for them. Last year n vote was
taken in the subordinate lodges, ask
ing an expression of the order re-
garding several contemplated
changes then under consideration.
While the national council exercises
supreme authority in all matters per-
tanning to the order, officers of the
law-making body desired the eX-
preston of the membership as a
whole before making any sweeping
changes.
The proposition to revise the ri
tual and to change the title of the
order received a majority vote. The
membership was by no means anx-
ious to assume a new title, however.
This proposition carried by a narrow
margin.
Taking the action of the subordi-
nate bodies as basis for their
action, both of the proposed changes
were made.
Many persons who have been
prominently identified with the or
der for many years felt that it has
accomplished much and could ad-
vance to new heights under the old
title. Others claimed the name,
mechanics was misleading.
The order had it's inception IN
Philadelphia seventy-two years ago.
The founder was Luther Chaplin.
Chaplin was actuated by high mo-
tives in the organization of the 80
oiety, and for 6. time no one sbut a
craftsmen, were admitted Patriot
The founder was n carpenter, and
saw the need of a closer bond be-
tween the workmen of philadelphia
and foreign laborers who were COM
ing to this country. Labor trouble
had nothing whatever to do with the
foundation of the society.
The society grew rapidly, and af-
ter some years others, who were not
craftsmen, were admitted. Patriot
ism has always made strong appeal
to members and men in every walk
of life were enrolled as loyal support
ers:
The growth of the order was rapid
until the time of the Civil War, when
the entire membership of many
lodges was wiped out. As the order
is in no sense a society for labor
ing exclusively, many feel that q new
name will be appropriate.
The principles, honesty, industry
and sobriety have drawn many
prominent men into the circles of the
o. u. A. NJ, and this fact was used
as an argument by those who object
ed to change of name. At least
two presidents of the United States,
Ulysses S. Grant and William Nc
kinley. were members of the Me-
chanics.
Second Meeting Here
This is the second time in the his
tory of Harrisburg that the supreme
council has met here. Harrisburg
entertained the order in 1907.
This afternoon delegates and their
wives visited Hershey, where spe-
ctal privileges were accorded them in
their tour of the famous chocolate
town. They will motor through the
parks of Harrisburg and will visit
notable places here. Later this even
ing II. o. Holstein, national secre-
tary, will be host at a dinner to be
given the visitors at the Fort Hunter
Hotel.
CAPTAIN RELY REPORTS
Captain James McCay Reilly left his