Report of General Organizer Dickson. My last report was rendered from Fort Wayne, Ind., where I was engaged in an effort to have the A. Hattersley & Sons Company employ union men. This firm had secured the contract for the plumbing and steam fitting on a very large job, being erected by the General Electric Company, and had been and were employing men not members of our Association. On Monday night, November 20th, I attended the Building Trades Council meeting with a view to having this work struck and with a Committee from the Council, I also attended the Bricklayers' meeting for the same purpose. I take this opportunity of saying we met with little encouragement from the bricklayers. On the following day I conferred with the organizers Briggs of the lathers, Shea of the painters, and McMullen of the iron workers, and Bennett of the electrical workers who were in the city and was assured of whatever support they could render. The following day, with Business Agent Drew, of the Building Trades Council, I paid a visit to several other employers and in the evening I attended a regular meeting of Local Union No. 166, at which time I accepted the opportunity of addressing them on the conditions as existing in their city and had the pleasure of initiating five new members. The next day I endeavored to have Mr. Wells o fthe Wells Bros. Company, General Contractors, use his influence in order to avoid striking the job, but was unable to do so. I then held another conference with the Organizers and Business Agent Drew of the Building Trades Council, also the Carpenters' Business Agent, and it was decided to remove the Trades on Saturday, November 25th. This was done and thanks to the Trades, it resulted in much good upon which I shall comment further in this report. Having made arrangements to visit Indianapolis on November 26th, I did so and with the representatives of Local No. 327 of Anderson, No. 330 of Kokomo, No. 157 of Terre Haute, No. 440 Steam Fitters of Indianapolis and Plumbers' Local No. 73, who were present, I took up a question of territorial jurisdiction and after some four hours conference, each local was given an outline of territory and the meeting adjourned with all perfectly satisfied. Those present showed every desire to be fair, hence the result and, and I cannot fail to offer thanks for the consideration shown. Returning to Fort Wayne, held a conference with Mr. Wells, of the Wells Bros. Company, and Mr. Hunting, superintendent of the General Electric Company, who arranged for a conference with Mr. Hattersley and Son. This conference was attended by the Organizers present in the city, Business Agent Drew of the Building Trades Council, Business Agent Newell of the Carpenters and the writer, resulted in agreement being made whereby the men employed by Hattersley & Son were to become members of our. Association. The men of the other trades returned to work and I am happy to say that after several days I received the application of ten of the men employed and have arranged with Brother Smith of No. 166 to visit the Hattersley shop to make collections and secure further applications, Mr. Hattersley lending his aid to this end. This effort has had its effect on the Building Trades Council and will end in Local No. 166 having a revival that will see the closing of that city if discretion is used. There was other work in the city that needed attention, but had not reached the stage where we could handle it. I have advised our Local to keep in touch with this work and have the assurance of the Building Trades that all effort will be be made to allow none but union men to work on same. I have had requests from the employers for men and have endeavored to secure the same with little success, as word comes to me from places communicated with, that all are at work, at a figure over and above that paid in the city of Fort Wayne. This has been imparted to the employers of Fort Wayne, and I look forward to an advancement in the wage scale of that city with the coming of the Spring. While at Fort Wayne I attended all meetings of the Building Trades, a meeting of the Plasterers, who are just organizing, and have attended a special meeting of Local No. 166, at which time the Local Union concurred in the action taken by myself in regard to clearing up is situation. Having received word from Secretary Burke, I proceeded to Cincinnati, where I am at this writing, in order to settle a question of jurisdiction between Local No. 59 and No. 292. I have attended the meetings of both Locals and have had Committees appointed to meet with me on this question, but as this report leaves me prior to the Committee meeting I shall report the outcome in my next writing. Extending the Compliments of the Season and wishing our Officers and Members a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperour New Year, I remain, Fraternally, Chas. Dickson. Very little hase been heard of the Poles' eagerness to embrace the "freedom" the Kaiser designed to offer them if they would consent to be drafted into his trenches. So now we hear that if they will not voluntarily become cannon fodder, they will be drafted into slavery like the Belgians. Either way kultur wins. Report of General Organizer Ryan. To the Officers and Members of the United At the conclusion of my last report I was It is a lesson the Joplin Central Body will never forget, and I only hope they will be guided by good common sense and judgment in their future actions. I then left Joplin for Kansas City, Mo., to take up matters of importance with Steam Fitters' Local No. 533. I attended the meeting of Executive Board and was told what the grievance was, and in company with Business Agents Lynch, of Steam Fitters; Wilson, of Plumbers, and Secretary of Buildings Trades Council, Frank J. Peterson, who is a Steam Fitter also, visited several firms but with I then left Kansas City, after promising to come back for Ardmore, Oklahoma, on a wire from Secretary-Treasurer Burke, where I got together twenty plumbers and fitters, got their money, sent for supplies and charter, and when they arrive will come back and install them. This bunch has been trying for a long time to get a charter, but something always pops up and crimped them, but that did not discourage them, for they banded themselves together into an independent Local Union of their own, and went along and did business, got conditions, members of the Central Trades Council, in fact, Bro. Scott was business agent of the Central Body, and they, without any affiliations at all, which goes to show the caliber of the men which compose our new Local Union. Too much credit cannot be given them for their efforts in being chartered by the United Associations, for they are a body of men to be proud of. Promising them to come back when the charter and supplies arrive, I left Ardmore for Oklahoma City. I found our Local Union thought they had a serious grievance. Getting the Executive Board of the Local together I defined the duties of the officers and Executive Board, and told the Board there was no trouble, but be guided by our U. A. Constitution and everybody would be happy. I visited job where the contention was supposed to be and conferred with the plumbing contractor; also the superintendent for the general contractor, Jas. A. Stewart Co., and found the job was manned by our men, the plumbing employer "a fair employer" and no kick coming at all, this I will say. I think the Executive Board of Local Union 291 took too much on their own shoulders; they should always bear in mind that the Local Union is the Superior Body and they should have reported back to the Local Body their decision before giving it to any one else. I hope this experience will prove a benefit to them in the future, for it does not pay to be too hasty. (Continued on page 22) (Continued from page 10) Bronx No. 463, formerly No. 480 and 498. Their offices are located at 51 East 125th Street, and while being centrally located, they are also in pleasant surroundings; plenty of room and sunshine being one of the principle adornments. The several business agents, together with the two secretaries and treasurers of Local No. 463 were present at this visit, and we had in consideration, the payment that night on their Local Death Benefit of $300 to Patrick Simons who was operated upon December 14th. It is regrettable to announce the death of Brother Simons, but it is a pleasure also to announce that Local Union No. 463 has provided a Death Benefit in excess of that declared by the Constitution of the United Association of $300. Brother Frank Weatherspoon, who is President of Local No. 463 was present at this conference, and I cannot refrain from giving worthy, eulogistic reference to him, for the manner in which he conducts the affairs of this important office and important Local Union. Never has their attendance had a coming less than several hundred and it requires an alert, diplomatic and non-partisan minded man to preside at a meeting of this character. Brother Weatherspoon possesses the above qualities, not only as to alertness but with fairness to all members of Local No. 463. In order that the members of the United Association might be familiar with the work and ambitions of the Plumbers of Greater New York, I am submitting under separate reading, an article to amend a general City law in relation to Plumbers, with the hope that this might be helpful to our members in other localities, and with the hope also that any omissions might be considered in a fraternal way and criticised in that same spirit, by our general membership. On Friday, December 15th, I attended a meeting of our Marine Steamfitters' Local Union No. 594. The career of this Local Union indicates failures, successes; failures and success, and despite the discouraging aspect at times, they have recognized the necessity of being organized and maintaining organization. Their jurisdiction of work applies only to Navy Yards and Ship Yards, Marine work. About 75 members are affiiliated with No. 594. They represent about one-fourth of the membership who are employed in ship yards of Greater New York and vicinity. They are limited, of course, to this work, and cannot intrude upon the jurisdiction of regular Building Trades Local Unions. To my knowledge the Building Trades' Local Unions seem to think that this Local Union No. 594 is more or less pharsical, and they permit their members to work in the Navy Yards and Ship Yards at rates of wages below their standard in the Building Trades, and believe they are doing the right thing. I want to accept this public opportunity to say, that our Building Trades Local Unions are committing a gross error when they refuse to give support to Local Union No. 594. The opinion that thhey are "better than the other fellow" must not prevail here and it should be their determination that whenever a member of other Local Unions work within the jurisdiction of the Marine Fitters, that he should become attached to the Marine Fitters and give them every support. Local No. 594, although numerically small, are doing everything that man can do to improve their conditions and they have arranged for an open meeting on night of December 29th, at which time, either myself or General Organizer Higgins will be present and try and impress upon unorganized men, (whom they are confident will attend this meeting) the necessity of becoming attached to Local No. 594. With sincere appreciation of the co-operation that has been extended me by the General Membership of the United Association during the year 1916, I want to express my sincere thanks, with the hope and wish that every moment of the year 1917 shall be prosperous and happy to themselves, their dependents and their families, and with best wishes, I beg to remain, Yours turly and fraternally, E. W. Leonard. (Continued from page 11) mittees of our State Association and of the Master Plumbers' Association. The Master Plumbers' Association are to introduce an amendment to the present State Plumbing Law, which will compel either employer or journeyman to have a certificate if he wishes to work at or engage in the business anywhere in the State and not confine it to cities of 5,000 or more, as well as asking for a State Supervisor of Plumbing to see that the Law in enforced. This has nothing to do with a State Code, which our Association went on record as being opposed to. President Frank Whittington and Secretary Fred Baker and myself represented our State Association. A little later on Secretary Baker will acquaint all our Illinois Locals with what has taken place, as well as sending them a copy of the amendment for their approval or rejection. I went to Gary, Ind., and attended an Executive Board meeting and a special meeting of Local No. 433. In an endeavor to be helpful in adjusting some trouble that had caused ten or twelve men to quit one of our fair shops. After a better understanding all around, the Local instructed its members to return to the shop and the provisions of the constitution will be carried out in dealing with the subject matter that was the cause of the trouble. I spent a few days at Racine, Wis., in which city our members of Local No. 118 was locked out the latter part of August on account of their refusal to work with nonunion men of other crafts. This is a pure and simple case of some of the employers of this city trying to put the Building Trades Council out of existence. They haven't got a chance in the world if all trades will remain as loyal to the Council as our Local is. During the past ten days three more of our best shops have signed up and things look bright for a complete victory for our Local and the Labor movement of Racine. My next_report will date from Waukesha, Wis. In closing my report I desire to wish our entire membership a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Fraternally yours, Frank J. Kennedy. (Continued from page 12) card number is 105199. I was successful in getting our members in Mobile started off in good shape once more. I wish to thank Secretaries Bridges and Tew for the assistance they gave me during my stay. From Mobile I took a short trip to New Orleans to take up the matter which I referred to concerning a job in Birmingham which was being done by a New Orleans contractor. I went over this matter with Secretary Ned Glennan, of Local No. 60, and I am glad to say that the pressure brought to bear on this Birmingham job, as well as other out of town contracts, has brought about negotiations with this firm which will completely unionize the shop, in fact thirteen men in their employ have already been initiated in Local No. 60. I remained in New Orleans one day, and returned again to Montgomery, Ala., where 1 held a successful meeting of Local No. 52, and put that Local on a sound working basis once more. At the meeting we elected officers: Brother J. E. Allen was elected president; E. J. McDade and W. Pebworth, secretaries. I have completed my work in Montgomery, and am leaving for North Carolina, in answer to several important calls in that state, upon which I will report in the next issue. Wishing our membership a happy and prosperous New Year, and trusting that this report will meet with their approval. I remain, Fraternally yours, William Lynn. (Continued from page 13) of trying to get them to shorten the hours of labor of pipe fitters who are members of our organization and working in this plant. The best we could do was to get their promise to give the matter their serious consideration and to let us know at a little later date what they would be able to do in the matter. I went back to Baltimore where I attended a meeting of Joint Committee representing Local Unions No. 48 and No. 438. This com ́mittee was a matter of jurisdiction of work between both Locals. The matter was not settled at this time; other meetings were arranged to continue this matter with a view of settling it. While in Baltimore I met the business agents of our Locals of Philadelphia, Brothers Allison and Doherty of Locals No. 123 and No. 420. After confirming with them I agreed to go to Philadelphia, which I did, to take up the matter of unionizing one shop in particular and made an appointment with them to meet me there. This was done and a serious effort made to bring about a union condition in this shop, other pressure was brought to bear on this matter and the matter let stand until it could be worked out. I attended the meeting of Local No. 559 while in Philadelphia, of Pipe Fitters, working at the Navy Yard, I might state that I reorganized this Local Union. I am somewhat hopeful that more progress will be made in the future than in the past; indications at least point that way. I next went back to Baltimore to attend another meeting of the committees on jurisdiction which I have already reported. This meeting did not come to any conclusion and further meetings were arranged for. Then I went over to Washington to confer with Brother Berres, secretary of the Metal Trades Department, on a question concerning the Norfolk Navy Yard. Brother Messenger of our Local at Portsmouth, Local No. 272, was up from Norfolk on a matter of very serious moment to the members of the Local. I might add, a committee representing all the trades at the Navy Yard there, were also in Washington on this same matter. A conference was held with the assisting secretary of the Navy, Mr. Roosevelt, where all matters were gone over. I can't say that we were satisfied, but at the same time must report that nothing could be done at this time. I am also going to say that while I believe in agitation when it is necessary to cure abuses, yet at the same time I realize that we can have too much agitation at times with a possible result of not curing the evil complained of, but rather hurting everybody. I next went to Newark to meet Brother Sholl of Local Union No. 475 to confer with him on matters concerning sprinkler fitters of that district. This matter I have reported on to our General President and General Secretary. I next made a visit to Elizabeth L. U. No. 245, where Business Agent Brother Tansey met me and we went over matters concerning a large job in that vicinity, being done by a firm out of town. This firm is unfair on this job and is running what it is pleased to call an open shop in the city it comes from. I advised Brother Tansey and gave him what advice I could on this matter. I next went to Washington to attend hearings at the Navy Department before Assist ant Secretary Mr. Roosevelt and with a view of assisting our members working in the different Navy Yards to secure increases in pay. I am going to attend all of these hearings; they are going on from day to day until all the Yards would have been heard. I am meeting committees representing some of the Yards and advising with them and conferring with Brother Berres of the Metal Trades on all of these matters. I had to run to New York along with President Williams, of the Building Trades Department, to visit the office of a construction company doing work in Baltimore in the interest of our members who are in that city. We found on going through the office of that firm in New York that we would have to go to Philadelphia to their office there to see the proper party. In the meantime I received a wire from the office and proceeded to Bridgeport, Conn., where I met Brother Steel, the business agent of Local Union No. 173 and the conference committee of that local on some serious matters concerning the welfare of the Local Union. I advised with them and offered suggestions to take care of this particular matter. I next went to Philadelphia and met President Williams where we took up the matter already referred to and was given a promise that consideration would be given to our requests. I returned again to Washington to continue in attendance at the hearings in the Navy Department where I am at this writing. I have already reported that I am meeting the delegates who came here from the different yards and who are members of our association and am trying to be as helpful as I possibly can in bringing about what they desire. Trusting this report will meet with the approval of our members and at the same time hoping that all of our members have had a merry Christmas and will have a prosperous as well as a happy New Year, I am, Fraternally yours, James G. Higgins. (Continued from page 14) Cream is business agent for the Local and President of the B. T. C. He is held in high respect by all for he is fair in all his dealings. December 12th I ran out to Richmond again to take up with No. 436 the proposition that was had presented to the ExBoard of the Building Trades Council. After some discussion the whole matter was settled the way we had agreed to with the Board. Thos. B. Clark. (Continued from page 15) both sides, which they have accepted. This proposition will give jurisdiction of this town to Norfolk, Conn., until June the 1st, 1917, and in the event that they do not raise their wages to the level of that now. being received by Stamford, Stamford will be entitled to jurisdiction. It was a pleasure to learn the progress that our Stamford Local has made and it is with some pride wages in our trade paid in the State of Connecticut. From this city I then visited Meriden, Conn., where I had the pleasure of attending a meeting of our Local No. 21, at which I advised them on many questions that the Local desired information on, and promised to take up matters with Sister Locals, which they were deeply interested in. From this city I proceeded to Hartford, Conn., so as to attend a meeting of our Steam Fitters' Local, at which I was privileged to address them. While this Local is enjoying good conditions, I cannot help but call the attention of the members of Local No. 218, to the fact that they are not apparently taking the proper interest in the affairs of their local, which was clearly shown by the very small attendance at this meeting; and which I have been informed has been the rule for some time past. I trust that hereafter the members will take greater interest, such as they formerly did, and which was the cause for them receiving the splendid conditions that they now enjoy. From this city I next returned to New Haven, Conn., so as to be present at our meeting of Local No. 349, where I was privileged to address them at some length, especially calling the attention of the Steam Fitters to the necessity of assisting the Helpers' Local and to see that they work with none but Union Helpers. The Local has been enjoying good working conditions and apparently has profited by their agreement with the employers. The next evening with Business Agent O'Meara I attended the meeting of our Helpers' Local No. 668, where I advised them along lines of conducting their organization, which advice, if followed, will be beneficial to the welfare of the Local Union. Finishing my work in New Haven, I then visited Norwalk, Conn., where I got in touch with Brother Kline. This Local was desirous of having jurisdiction over the town of Westport, Conn., so with Brother Kline I visited this town and investigated the entire matter. I am of the opinion that Norwalk should have the jurisdiction, feeling that they could best look after its welfare. making the rounds of the town, I visited the shops and interviewed the men who were non-union, and whom agreed to join the Local, this will clean up this entire town, making all the shops Union. In After leaving this city, I then visited Bridgeport, Conn., where I got in touch with Brother Steele, Business Agent of our Local No. 173, and with whom I took up the matter of jurisdiction of the town of Westport, to see if his Local laid any claim on this town. He assured me that his Local |