Evening star., 1945-01-08
John B. Dickman, ST..
Secretary Of Oldest
Inhabitants, Dies

John B. Dickman, ST., 85, civic
and labor leader who was secretary
of the Association Of Oldest In
habitants and q former president
OF the Columbia Typographical
Union, died yesterday at the home
of his son, John B. Dtckman, jr.,
1928 Veazey street NV. Mr.. Dick
man had recovered from an opera
ton performed last September, but
became III again and had been con-
fined to his bed five weeks.
Mr.. Dickman was a prominent
figure In Washington's civic, fra
ternal and labor circles. He had
been honored by election to many
different ofiices Of responsibility in
organizations OF which he was
member. Several times he was the
guest Of honor at receptions, BAN
quets and other occasions where
tribute was paid to him as q friend
and public benefactor.
Born In Dayton, Ohio, Mr.. Dick
man came to Washington in 1880.
During his long career as a printer
at tthe Government Printing once
he was an active member Of Colum-
bia Typographical Union, which
elected him president three different
times, in 1887, in 1912 and 1887. He
represented 1t several times at the
national convention Of the Interna-
tional Typographical Union.
Championed Many Causes.
Among his labors on behalf OF the
printing trade were activities for
wage increases, difierential between
day and night workers, the eight
hour day, leave Of absence, general
improvement of working conditions
and organization OF the Association
of Veteran Union Printers. He
worked loyalty for endowment Of the
Union Printers Home at Colorado
Springs, Colo.
Mr.. Dickman championed many
causes in the Capital, including ma
tional representation for the District,
Fairgrounds and free textbooks for
the public schools.
One Of the most recent tributes to
him was paid by the Association Of
Oldest Inhabitants, of which he had
been recording secretary for many
years. He was presented with a
floral gift and was warmly praised
by his fellow members. Charles H.
Bates, vice president of the asso-
citation, praised Mr.. Dickman's
splendid record" In trade union
and civic activities,
One of the most distinctive trib-
utes to Mr.. Dickman took place on
February 26, 1898, when more than
$50 friends and associates gathered
at the Willard Hotel to honor him
at banquet. Among those present
were labor leaders, Government
officials and newspaper publishers.
Retired from GPO In 1874.
The speakers included Frank Nor
rison, then secretary-treasurer of
the American Federation Of Labor;
Augustus E. Giegengack, public
printer; Charles v. Mclaughlin, As
sistant Secretary Of Labor, who rep
resented the Secretary Of Labor;
Mrs. Eleanor Patterson, publisher
of the Times-Herald, and others.
When Mr.. Dickman retired from
the Government Printing Once in
August, 1924, after A years Of serv-
ice, he was the guest Of honor at
q reception, where he was presented
with gifts and was highly praised
by his associates.
As charter member, he had as
sisted in organizing the Govern
ment Printing once Mutual Relief
Association In 1885, and served as Its
president several years. He was one
Of the first to obtain an agreement
between the typographical Union
and the GPO. whereby the latter
agreed to meet certain standards In
hiring printers.
The Central Labor Union elected
him president three terms, and it
was while serving in this capacity
that he did much toward getting
free textbooks for graded public
schools. He was q charter member
Of the Public Fairgrounds Associa-
ton.
As a civic worker Mr.. Dickman
long has been an active member of
the Executive Committee Of the Citi-
zens' Joint Committee on National
Representation for the District of
Columbia.
The Association Of Veteran Union