now for a local union, which the laws prohibit. In the case in point, the Times management, in making a contract with the union, expressly stipulated that promises made by the organizer must be fulfilled. If Marietta Union was not satisfied with this stipulation, it should have made no contract. Having made a contract under the circumstances, it was the duty of the union to perform its plain obligation. The executive council's decision to this effect was proper. Your committee therefore recommends that the decision of the executive council be sustained. The report of the committee was adopted. Proposition No. 82-By Mr. Blumenthal (Oakland): An appeal from the decision of the executive council in the case of Blumenthal vs. Oakland Union No. 36. (Copies of the printed appeal will be found on the desks of the delegates.) The appellant failed to file notice of his appeal from a decision of his local union within the five days specified by section 1 of article vi, of the by-laws, and the executive council had no authority to entertain his appeal, and therefore dismissed it. Your committee therefore recommends that the decision of the executive council bs sustained. The report of the committee was adopted. Proposition No. 83-By Mr. Crosby (Fort Worth): An appeal from the decision of the executive council in the case of Crosby vs. Fort Worth Union No. 198. (Copies of the printed appeal will be found on the desks of the delegates.) December 31, 1908, both the Star and Telegram of Fort Worth announced a discontinuance of publication. January 1, 1909, the Fort Worth Publishing Company, newly chartered, began publication of the Star and Telegram in the Telegram building, with the foreman of the defunct Star in charge of the composing room. He picked a new crew from the two forces, Including the appellant. The matter was carried to the floor of Fort Worth Uni and the union finally voted that a force should be picked alternately from the two offices, according to the priority in each. Appellant lost his place, but almost 1mmediately secured employment. On appeal the executive council sustained the union. Your committee believes that the language of the executive council in its decision rings true, and cannot be improved upon, where it says: "It is apparent that the members of Fort Worth Typographical Union were confronted with a most vexed question, and one that had to be handled in such manner as seemed probable to be for the best interests of the organization by a majority of the members of said union." The appeal falls within the class of frivolous appeals which should not go to the executive council. There was no substantial injury or grievance, and appellant's standing in the organization was not jeopardized. Your committee recommends that the decision of the executive council be sustained. The report of the committee was adopted. Proposition No. 114-By Mr. Fitzgerald (Detroit): An appeal from the decision of the executive council sustaining the action of Detroit Union No. 18 in the case of William G. Fitzgerald. (Copies of the printed appeal will be found on the desks of the delegates.) This is an appeal from a decision of the executive council in which the council refused to declare the six-day law unconstitutional. The appellant contends that the six-day law violates the alleged right of a subordinate union to make its own scale of prices and control working conditions as set forth in article 1, of the constitution, but Ignores the provision of the constitution limiting the legislative powers of local unions to make laws which do not conflict with International law, and also the provision expressly conferring upon the International Typographical Union the power to enact and enforce laws for its own government and the government of subordinate unions and the members thereof. The appellant also contends that as the six-day law in its present form is antedated by a contract with a publisher in Detroit, it does not control the membership in Detroit. It is indisputably true that the International Typographical Union and subordinate unions cannot by change of laws affect their obligations under contract already in force. But the six-day law affects no contract; it merely governs the conduct of the membership and aims to an equitable distribution among them of the benefits of the many contracts with employers. Your committee is convinced that the appellant, who is an ardent believer in local autonomy, would be a far more valuable member of the organization were he to devote his ingenuity in tearing to pieces the structure of the law, to constructive effort for building it up. And particularly it recommends that he give attention to the label campaign, and that he use the union label himself and help to boost it. The committee recommends that the decision of the executive council upholding 1 the validity of the six-day law be sustained. The report of the committee was adopted. To your committee was also referred that part of the report of the executive council printed on page 77 of the reports of officers concerning appeal cases, and on this matter your committee reports: a While it is true that the number of appeals before the executive council and the frivolous nature of some of them indicate that the appeal law is being abused, your committee feels that the freedom of appeal and the simplicity of procedure provided by the present law operate as conservative restraining influence upon hasty and impulsive, and sometimes unjust and wrongful action by subordinate unions, and that the law should not be changed without more careful consideration than your committee has been able to give this law in view of the large number of appeal cases submitted to it at this convention. And your committee recommends that no change in the law be made. Respectfully submitted, ROBERT ARMSTRONG, J. H. THRASHER, E. J. FARLEY, J. C. STEFFEN, J. L. BALDWIN, Committee. The report of the committee was adopted as a whole. We also unite in extending thanks to the Rev. Father Brady, for his invocation upon our proceedings; to Mayor Clayton for his address of welcome on behalf of the city; to Louis T. Golding, publisher of the St. Joseph News-Press; G. H. Larke, publisher of the St. Joseph Gazette; Former Congressman George C. Crowther, and President Burnham of St. Joseph Typographical Union No. 40, for their addresses to the convention. We also wish to express to the St. Joseph publishers our appreciation for the splendid reports that have appeared in their publications covering the proceedings of this convention. The Milwaukee delegation extended an invitation to the delegates to the Minneapolis convention to stop in Milwaukee, stating that their city was "anti white rat and anti prohibition." The committee on thanks then presented its report. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THANKS. St. Joseph, Mo., August 14, 1909. To the Officers and Members of the International Typographical Union: Gentlemen-The committee on thanks reports the following for your consideration: We desire to express our sincere and hearty thanks to Swift & Co. for the entertainment extended by them on Wednesday afternoon to officers, delegates, ex-delegates and visitors to our convention. Our thanks are due Palmer L. Clark, manager of Lake Contrary Amusement Park, for entertainment contributed in the way of concessions, buildings and grounds. The delegates, ex-delegates and visitors in attendance at the fifty-fifth convention, held at St. Joseph, Mo., August 9 to 14, inclusive, unite in extending thanks to B. F. Hill, chairman, and Messrs. Rhode, Martin, Gilmer, Taylor, Pierce, Jones, Harris, Clark, Grogg and Murphy, members of the committee, and to the members of No. 40, for the agreeable and entertaining time that we have had at this convention. We also desire to thank the manager of the Auditorium, H. G. Getchell, for his untiring efforts in making the convention hall comfortable for the delegates and visitors, and for his unfailing courtesy and good nature on all occasions. To use a well-known expression, which tersely expresses our sentiments, Mr. Getchell is the right man in the right place. For favors shown and courtesies extended, our appreciation is due to the directors of the Lotus Club, whose generous action in opening the gates of their clubhouse made it possible for us to spend many pleasant hours. Especial mention is due the members of the Elks' Club, in their efforts to make all visit rs feel at home in their magnificent edifice. We also wish to extend thanks to Hugo Grebel, of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association, for the many courtesies extended the officers, delegates, ex-delegates and visitors. The committee desires to thank the cit zens of St. Joseph for their courteous treatment to all who have attended this convention, and for their successful efforts in making our visit a pleasant one. The committee also desires to express appreciation for the admirable manner in which the convention work has been handled by President Lynch, Secretary-Treasurer Hays, and the other officers of the convention, We also wish to thank the ex-delegates' association for the splendid entertainment given at Lake Contrary on Tuesday evening. For many favors extended during the week, we wish to thank G. H. Larke of the St. Joseph Gazette. Mr. Larke has been indefatigable in his efforts to entertain the officers, delegates and visitors. Last, but not least, the committee extends its thanks to those delegates, exdelegates and visitors who have assisted us in our efforts to render an account to the convention for the work to which we were assigned. Respectfully submitted, F. N. WHITEHEAD, H. L. STRAIGHT, G. D. RALSTON, Committee. The report of the committee was adopted as a whole. President Lynch introduced Chairman Whitehead of the committee on thanks, who asked the members of the local entertainment committee to come forward. Mr. Whitehead humorously told his experience as chairman of the entertainment committee at the Washington convention, and hoped that the members of the local committee would not owe any more than he did when his work was finished. He then presented the members of the committee with the following as tokens of the convention's appreciation of their efforts: Messrs. B. F. Hill, Charles Rhode, F. O. Martin, F. E. Gilmer and S. T. Harris, each a gold watch. Messrs. W. J. Jones, J. E. Murphy and E. M. Taylor with International Typographical Union watch charms. Messrs. Grant Pierce, J. P. Clark and Sylvester Grogg with umbrellas. Chairman Hill of the local entertainment committee thanked the delegates and visitors for their remembrances. HI. G. Getchell, manager of the Auditorium, was presented with a pair of handsome cuff buttons in token of his efforts to make the delegates comfortable during the week. Mr. Getchell acknowledged the gift in an appropriate speech. Mayor Clayton was presented with an elegant fob and International Typographical Union watch charm in appreciation of his untiring efforts to please and entertain the delegates. That popular official acknowledged the gift in a most characteristic speech. Delegate Hickman (Louisville) moved that the convention extend Mayor Clayton a rising vote of thanks. Delegate Sutton (Atlanta) seconded the motion. The motion was adopted. Secretary-Treasurer Hays announced that the proceedings of the sixth day's session and the credentials presented at the fifty-fifth session would be mailed to the delegates as early as possible. President Lynch then declared the fiftyfifth convention of the International Typographical Union adjourned sine die. J. W. HAYS, Secretary-Treasurer. Armstrong, Robert. Austin, Ed T.. Baker, D. P. Baldwin, J. L.. Bastian, Charles W. Bond, Joe M. Booth, D. E. Boyle, John A. Callan, John D. Dallas, Joseph J. . Memphis, Tenn. Mobile, Ala. . Minneapolis, Minn. . Jackson, Miss. .. Providence, R. I. Boston, Mass. .. Salt Lake City, Utah. Dietrich, W. H. Dighton, E. C..... Dimond, C. H.... Dobbs, George D.. Doenges, Henry W.. Dolan, T. F.. Donoghue, Florence Dormois, John T.. Fargo, N. Dak. Muskogee, Okla. St. Paul, Minn. Cleburne, Texas. Springfield, Ill. Denver, Colo. Chicago, Ill. Fort Smith, Ark. |