Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1924-09-26
JOURNEYMEN BARRIERS INTER
NATIONAL UNION OF AMERICA

Joumeymen BARRIERS International
Union of America completed its work
Wednesday of last week at noon in
the city of Indianapolis, Ind, and
thus ended the most successful meet
ing of the body in its history Of 81
years.
Beginning with Jan. 1st, 1925, when
the new constitution goes into effect,
new ideas will be in evidence. For
years this organization, in convention
after convention, has refused to ac-
cept any other than male applicants
for membership. At this time there
seemed to be little OF no opposition
to speak of, when the proposition OF
admitting lady BARRIERS was offered,
which of itself proves that the affairs
of men do change. SO it may not be
unusual to find the union shop card
displayed in shops in the future that
are being conducted and operated by
lady BARRIERS.
Every state in the union was rep
resented, also nearly every province
of Canada. More than 900 delegates
were entitled to be seated, and but
few were absent when the conVen-
ton got under way. Some delegates
having travelled more than 5000 miles
to got to the convention city. When
all were seated it would be hard for
one schoOled in the science of psyche
lOgy to find q more interesting grOun
of men: to the trained mind it would
not be difficult to note a reflection OF
the conditions under which each work
ed. If working conditions were IN
the advance, so were the delegates
who represented that district or town;
those delegates were keen and alert
on every proposition coming before
the body for solution.
There were a number Of prominent
men, we'll known in the Labor move
ment who were given PERMISSION to
address the delegates. One of them,
Wood F. Axton, Of the AXton-Flscher
Tobacco Co. Of Louisville, Ky, who
has never been a member of any Lab
or union, though he has been an en-
plover Of union labor for the last %
years. 1t is indeed quite unusual
for any employer conducting such
large institution as the AXton-Fisch-
er Tobacco Co. is to be invited or
given the permission to speak before
a national or international union OF
labor. but such is the character OF
Mr.. Wood F. AXton, manufacture OF
Clown cigarettes and other brands of
union label tobacco. Mr.. ANton
would impress you on first sight as
a velV serious man, a firm believer
in the necessity for the successful So
luton of those human problems that
the labor movement in general is en-
deavoring to bring about. Mr.. AXton
l.. +ol1 i1
pleasure in running a business than
merely in seeing Just how much
money can be squeezed out Of every
thing and everybody connected WITH
it.
"A business that>cannot pay a liv-
ing wage to its employees has no
right to exist No one has right to
pauperize the citizens of this or any
other country.
"Those who produce the wealth o,
the country are human beings and are
entitled to more than merely scant
living for their labor They are en-
titled to some of the luXuIies as thev
90 along, at least that is the way |
feel about it."
That Mr.. Axton feels that way
about it, no one would deny, who has
the opportunity to hear this splendid
man, as did the writer. An old axiom
is chat actions speak louder than
words" is a proven fact by those who
have had the privilege of going
through this union factory of the AK
ton-Fischer Tobacco Co. The work
ing conditions of the plant are ideal
Everything is done for the safety,
health and general welfare Of the
worker. and it has been said Of this
factory that the labor turn over is oil
no consequence at all. Cigarette
smokers who insist on smoking non
union products should learn more
about this great humanitarian, Wood
F. AXton, manufacture of Clown
Cigarettes.
Most of the time of the last day
of the convention was taken up with
the election of officers to serve dur
ing the next five years.
James c. Shanessy, the present in
cumbent, was reelected for the en-
suing term by unanimous vote of the
delegates Mr.. Shanenssy is well
known to trade unionists Of Newark,
having been the principal speaker for
the Labor day celebration in this city
two years ago. Very few men that
we have ever seen in action compares
with Mr. Shanessy in the ability to
control q large body Of men such as
the convention of BARRIERS held in In
dianapolis. In testimony Of that fact
the delegates by resolution rendered
their sincere thanks to Bro. ShanessY
for the manner in which he presided,
being the most fair and considerate
chairman. Jacob Fischer, general
secretary treasurer, who is well
known to every union barber and
other trade unionists, being sixth vice
president of the American Federation
of Labor, was reelected without Op-
position. SO we'll has he conducted the
financial affairs Of this international
union that no one ever considers dis
placing him. John ]. Manning, sec
retary- treasurer Of the Label Trades
Department of the American Fedora
ton of Labor who was one of the
prominent speakers, made the state
ment that there were only two organ
izations connected with his depart
ment that came through the war
period that had not lost in member
ship and finances. The BARRIERS was