[Trade Journal]
Publication: The Glassworker
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
vol. 29, no. 40, p. 6-7,14, col. 1-4
PRESIDENT ROWE'S REPORT.
IMPORTANT POINTS NOTED.
The Flint Executive Submits the Result of His Observations to the Legislators at the Sea Isle City Convention — Many Matters of General Trade Interest Are Embodied in the Report — Review of Affairs in the Various Departments Which Compose the Membership of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union — Trade Statistics and General Comment.
INTERESTING SUMMARY IS GIVEN.
The annual report of President T. W. Rowe, submitted to the officers and delegates of the thirty-fourth convention of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union, covers a wide range of subjects and constitutes a comprehensive and exhaustive document, all details being fully covered by the Flint executive. The amount of space at our disposal precludes the report in detail, but the different points are covered in the following introductory remarks and summary:
"In harmony with our constitutional requirement I hereby submit a report of the most important incidents transpiring during the season and touch upon some significant points with the hope of acquainting you with existing conditions and enabling you to legislate in a manner calculated to redound to our best interest.
"Through The American Flint, our trade circulars, and the monthly reports of our organizers, our trade has been kept well informed on the innumerable details transpiring; from month to month; yet there are some very important matters requiring your attention and I am sincerely hopeful you will prove equal to the occasion."
President Rowe then gives a review of the important part played in the industrial world by the labor press and savs that the meagre information printed in the daily newspapers is made up principally of infinitesimal extracts from labor journals. He states that "the labor press enlightens the workers, arouses the slumbering, attracts the attention of justice lovers, and through this awakening incites greater care among the daily press editors of this conutry and creates a more healthy respect among those who would be inclined to openly oppose us under other circumstances."
Next he takes up law recommendations and referring to Section 4, Article 7, Page 55, of the constitntion. he expresses himself in part as follows:
"This law, I believe, was intended to compel negligent member's to attend meetings and participate in the affairs of the organization, but instead of workinig beneficially, it has proved injurious because its rigidness has frequently imposed an unjust fine. It is also difficult for s local union to carry out the law owing to the diversified conditions existing in varrious localities."
With a view of presenting light on the subject he next refers to a few of the many cases that arose during the year and states that the officers received complaints against this law on the ground that it compels a disturbing element to attend meetings for the purpose of avoiding the fine and their presence at the meeting interferes with the welfare of the local. The local officers assert that it would be much better if there were no penalty to force them to attend meetings. Four propositions are submitted on this subject and Mr. Rowe hopes a better law will be adopted.
Four Meeting Absence Law.
You will note in Art. 2, Sec. 13, the following words: "Or any member of this union who shall absent himself from four meetings during the year shall not be enrolled to a representative to the national convention, or the national auditinh committee, conferee, or any office in this union."
President Kunzler interpreted this law to mean, "four meetings for which the member was not excused for absence," and his interpretation of the rules has never been changed by the organization. I have quoted President Kunzler on each occasion, as it seemed to be equitable. The convention should decide whether or not they intend this law to mean four meetings under all circumstances, or four meetings from which the absentee has not been excused, in order that the point can be definitely settled.
Should Define the Law.
Sec. 15, Art. 2. "Any person refusing to do any kind of union work or refusing to hold office in the local union shall not be entitled to represent the local union at the national convention, and their name shall not be recorded by the recording secretary for reference.''
If a member absolutely refuses to accept the nomination for presidency or secretaryship in the local union capable of filling the same and accepts another office in the local union, would he he eligible to the election of delegate?
If a member absolutely refuses to accept the nomination for presidency or secretaryship, or some other office at the annual election of officers, and then later in the year does accept one of these positions or another local office, would he be eligible as a delegate?
The committee on law is advised to interpret this rule or place a construction on the same, with the hope of avoiding future misunderstandings.
Abolish Sec. 4, Art. 20, Page 35.
"At no time shall there be two local unions, moldmakers or cutters, in one factory."
This law should be stricken from the constitution, because it is not good law and has never been strictly observed. You will note that there are separate moldmakers and cutters' local unions in Philadelphia, Rochester, Toledo, in the Ohio Valley, composed of members employed in the same concern, except that the cutters are in their respective local union, and moldmakers in their own local union. Where we find language of this kind in our laws it is our interest to eliminate the same.
Substitute for Sec. 5, Art. 23.
This section should be eliminated from the constitution and substituted by the following:
"Any member of the A. F. G. W. U. who joins the G. B. B. A, or the International Association of Machinists forfeits his membership in our union."
I offer this change because I believe the enactment of Sec. 5 Art. 23, page 41, is unwise legislation and interferes with our progressive work, as it is well known that it is almost impossible to get those members to pay $100 reinstatement fee. Obstacles of this kind placed in the way of their reinstatement only serve to benefit those who are opposing us in the glass trade.
Law Changes to Become Effective.
In view of the fact that our convention is held in the summer months, and in some cases the factories are closed for an extended period of time, laws are made and enforced before the delegates have time to report the same to their constituents, I
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Cutting, 1907, 451; 1908, 371; 1910, 2,217; 1911, 2,258. Press, 1907, 1,593; 1908, 1,629; 1909, 1,664; 1910, 1,911; 1911, 1,928. Chimney, 1907, 1,603; 1908, 1,520; 1909, 1,504; 1910. 1,411; 1911, 1,400. Bulb, 1907, 506; 1908, 666; 1909, 671; 1910, 636; 1911, 856. Moldmaking, 1907, 463; 1908, 463; 1909, 488; 1910, 506; 1911, 544. Punch tumbler, 1907, 340; 1908, 358; 1909, 371; 1910, 433; 1911, 540. Paste mold, 1907, 448; 1908, 504; 1909, 513; 1910, 530; 1911, 478. Caster place, 1907, 331; 1908, 382; 1909, 380; 1910, 311; 1911, 423. Iron mold, 1907, 381; 1908, 369; 1909, 347; 1910, 365; 1911, 340. Machine jar and bottle, 1907, 290; 1908. 278; 1909, 227; 1910, 247; 1911, 186. Shade and globe, 1907, 218; 1908, 209; 1909, 218; 1910, 192; 1911, 165. Engravers, 1907, 27; 1908, 22; 1909, 19; 1910, 37; 1911, 54. Insulators, 1907, 76; 1908, 61; 1909, 56; 1910, 51, 1911, 48. Stopper Grinders, 1907, 8; 1908, 8; 1909, 9; 1910, 10; 1911, 17. White liners, 1907, 156; 1908, 154; 1909, 89; 1910, 31; 1911, 14. Prescription, 1907, —; 1908, —; 1909, 45; 1910, 13; 1911, —.
Total membership, 1907, 6,891; 1908, 6,994; 1909, 8,120; 1910, 8,901; 1911, 9,251.
Cutting Department Condition.
Our progressive labors in the cutting department surprise the most sanguine member. Secretary Clarke's report to the Detroit convention showed the cutting department membership 371. His quarterly report ending Feb. 28 shows that department with a membership of 2,026, the largest department of our union.
This marvelous conversion of workers, their unfamiliarity with our rules and laws, the frightful condition conditions under which they are obliged to toil and their desire for improvement has created a vast amount of work and we are exercising our best efforts towards attending to all important matters. Each link in the long chain of evil composition, each concession unjustly exacted from the toiler and artificially enjoyed by the employer and superficially used in the cut glass markets has established a business condition that almost defies exaggeration.
There has been too much fighting and too little common sense exercised. Duels will not readjust matters; harmonious action based upon a mutual consideration of the interests of all concerned, a united effort prudently exercised, will certainly bring favorable results and to reach a point where concerted action can be taken it will be necessary to mpress on the minds of the employers that we are not organized for striking purposes, and we expect with their co-operation to obtain results in a peaceful and legal manner. We must recognize the fact that it required many years of neglect and apathy for the trade to reach its present demoralized state, and it will require time, energy, patience and intelligence to restore matters to an equitable condition.
Many prominent members of this department frequently express the opinion that; "if we stop our members producing press blanks for non-union shops, cutting department conditions will be readjusted." I do not agree with that opinion. The deplorable existing conditions are due entirely to non unionism and its attending demoralizing rivalry in the markets. This is clearly evidenced by the fact that cutting trade conditions commenced to drop the very year our eastern members refused to pay their assessments and dropped from our organization and they have been declining at non-union shops each succeeding year, while union shops have, at least, held their own in face of all that serious competition and its disturbances.
I believe we should pursue our present course of organizing and educating and exercising our best efforts to improve the workers' condition and cultivate a close relation with those who control the production of the press blank with the hope of advancing our interests and improving conditions at all points.
Punch Tumbler and Stemware.
This department has increased in membership 60 per cent the past four years, and future prospects are bright.
Work of Organizing Reviewed.
President Rowe next reviews the work of unionizing the Beaver Valley Glass Co.'s plant at Rochester, Pa., and the Crystal Tumbler Co.'s. factory at Morgantown, W. Va., and a copy of the agreement made with the latter company by Organizer E. S. Zimmer and President Rowe is incorporated in his report. Data of an important nature is furnished the convention in connection with this settlement, which Mr. Rowe sums up as follows:
"I believe it advisable to enter into this agreement for the purpose of legislating some of this class of work into union houses instead of allowing the great bulk of it to be produced in non-union houses under non-union conditions, which means a great deal more than a percentage less in cost of production."
Press Department.
The press department has grently increased in numbers and I do not hesitate to state that I consider it our most substantial department at the present time, Yet, I believe it is highly important that we continue our present efforts toward unionizing the non-union houses of this country.
Chimney Department.
The production of lamp chimneys is gradually declining. This is due largely to the discontinuance in use of the old style lamp. Gas globes and electric bulbs are continually displacing the lamp chimney and the future prospects of this department are not very bright.
Conditions in the chimney department the past year nave been very unsatisfactory. Serious complications are noted. Chief among them are the Macbeth-Evans conflict, a declining commodity and terrible competition. Added to this is another important factor, the expiration of American patents on the Owens semi-automatic machine, which will have run seventeen years during 1912.
The lock-out of the Macbeth-Evans Glass Co. has acted like a boomerang to that concern, the same as other conflicts of this nature in the flint glass trade. There 's scarcely a manufacturer in the business who has engaged in any serious quarrel with our association who can show any great accomplishments thereby. If one-tenth the energy and finance expended by the Macbeth-Evans company in their efforts to control the chimney market by declaring war on the workers were exercised in other directions I am sure the results would show a more beneficial and substantial return.
If the large chimney manufacturers of this country decide to lock out our members and force them into idleness, and for the purpose of creating a self-sustaining condition, these locked-out or idle men establish co-operative factories and work steady at the union list and rest content with a small margin of profit, or no profit, let those larger manufacturers solve that condition which they are responsible for creating, as we should not interfere with the matter, except to insist that our conference agreements be observed. Substantial conditions or peaceful relations cannot be maintained in the chimney department while war is being waged on the workers. At the present time the Macbeth-Evans Co. are operating 137 shops at their various factories. It is stated that their stock is very heavy.
This department should carefully consider conditions prevailing at the Macbeth-Evans factories and consider the question of co-operatrve chimney factories and their effect upon the chimney market. You should peruse the proposed changes of the manufacturers in this department and carefully consider the expiration of the Owens patents on the chimney machine now used by the Macbeth-Evans Co. in the United States and the Diamond Glass Co. in Canada. You should devise and offer such recommendations as you believe would beneficial to your department's interest and the association 's general welfare.
Electric Bulb Department.
The membership of this department has increased 69 per cent the past four years and conditions indicate that it will continue to advance, as the use of the incandescent electric bulbs continues to become more general. Many members displaced in the chimney department are finding employment in this department, a signifiaint fact that proves the wisdom of all departments in the flint glass trade being affiliated with our organization.
Semi-automatic machinery has invaded this department; one of them was operated for some time at the Libbey Glass Co.'s factory, and we understand they were taken out because the company felt our members did not treat the machine equitably. A similar machine has been in operation on bulbs at the Fostoria Glass Specialty factory.
A new factory, equipped with 20 machines, a 12-pot furnace, was erected and stands ready for pots to be set and fires started in Sandusky for the manufacture of bulbs. I do not know positively who owns the factory, but understand it did belong to the Electric Bulb Manufacturers' organization, which was ordered dissolved recently by the courts.
The bulb workers should not neglect to carefully consider this matter and you should offer such recommendations as you believe to be equitable and avoid a repetition of the awful conflicts of other departments in their relation to machinery. You must recognize the fact that if the machines are a success they will be worked, and you must admit the solemn fact that we, or no other institution in this land, is sufficiently powerful to prevent the operation of successful machinery.
Moldmaking Department.
The membership of this department has increased 17 per cent the past four years and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind regarding its continued progress, providing the moldmakers prove capable of meeting the improved facilities now being introduced in their departments, particularly the improved tools for making molds for the Owens automatic machine and bringing into our ranks moldmakers employed at machine jar and bottle factories.
Our moldmakers are entirely too fearful and sensitive regarding the admission of applicants to membership, and I cannot be too emphatic in my admonition that there is just as much danger in being too strict as there is being too lax. If you doubt this statement you should reflect just a few moments on the attitude of the old L. A. 300, K. of L., the window glass workers organization of a few years ago. And keep in mind the fact that if men are capable of performing mold work and desire to work at moldmaking and you refuse to allow them to work under your jurisdiction they will find work elsewhere, the same as many already have done and more threaten to do from time to time.
Paste Mold Department.
The paste mold department has increased about 7 per cent the past four years. Foreign and non-union competition seriously injures this department and I advise that your most careful consideration be given proposed changes submitted to you with the hope that no mistakes will be made. Shades and globes arrive by the shipload at out ports.
Caster Place Department.
This department has increased 28 per cent the past four years and future prospects appear very good. This department is seriously affected by foreign competition, yet the caster place workers display great ability in the management of their affairs, and I am very hopeful for their future prospects.
Iron Mold Department.
This department has decreased in membership 10 per cent the past four years, due to non-union and G. B. B. A. competition and the introduction of semi-automatic machinery. A declining department should take its bearings, note the cause and readjust matters to a more favorable basis. This branch should be on the increase.
Shade and Globe Department.
This department has decreased in membership 26 per cent the past four years, and this decline in numbers does not indicate all regarding the deplorable condition of affairs. Foreign competition, the change in the style of illuminating goods and the blowing in a paste mold of goods formerly made in this department will almost annihilate the off-hand shade branch if this department does not legislate beneficially for its future.
The membership of this department should analyze the general conditions and courageously make such changes as can be made without injury with the hope that all hand made shades and globes used in the United States that can possibly be taken care of and that class of work be preserved to the men at which they have spent almost their entire life.
Machine Jar and Bottle Department.
The introduction of automatic machinery has placed this department on the decline.
Engraving Department.
Rock crystal engraving has injected new life in the engraving department and our membership in this. branch has increased 100 per cent since 1907. Future prospects appear good.
Insulator Department.
Porcelain insulators and the introduction of semi-automatic machines account for the decrease in membership in this department.
White Liner Department.
Automatic machines capable of making as high as 150 liners a minute have practically destroyed this department. Ball Bros. Co., of Muncie, Ind., operate 32 machines, the Hazel-Atlas Co., Washington, Pa., run from one to three machines, with a productive capacity capable of supplying the market demands.
Membership.
Our total membership on June 1, 1911, was 9,251, 7,893 employed and 1,358 unemployed, or 85 per cent employed and 15 per cent unemployed. Our unemployed figures include the men engaged in strikes and lockouts, which, of course, assists in running this figure as high as reported.
One year ago Secretary Clarke reported 8,901 for a total membership, 7,456 employed and 1,445 unemployed, or 84 per cent employed and 16 per cent unemployed. You will note by ths [sic] this that our membership has gradually increased and that the number employed this season is greater than the number one year ago. I do not hesitate to predict that our organization will continue to grow in numbers and greatly improve from time to time, as the union's prospects appear very good.
The Strike Situation Reviewed.
President Rowe next covers at some length the strike situation at the Rochester Tumbler Co.'s works, the Huntington Tumbler Co.'s factory, the Tulso Glass Co., the trouble at the Liberty Cut Glass Co.'s plant and at the Hocking Glass Co.'s works. An explanation is given in each case by the Flint executive so that the delegates will be fully conversant with all the details.
An important change with reference to submitting propositions to be handled by wage conferences is embodied in President Rowe's report. The matter is submitted by Local Union No. 10, Moundsville, W. Va., and the proposition is commended in the report.
Organizing Efforts.
Our organizers' expenses the past year totalled $9,909.11. The new Local Unions instituted the past three years by our organizers paid in assessments from June 1, 1910, until May 31, 1911, approximately $15,000.
Our expense for relief for all causes for the year ending May 31,1911, was 75,516.47, the principal conflicts being at Rochester, and Central City, with Honesdale, Hawley, Meriden, Brooklyn and Lancaster contributing their share. I believe it absolutely necessary to our welfare that we continue our organizing efforts and I most urgently recommend that the work be continued with renewed vigar.
Locals Organized Since May 31, 1910.
L. U. No. 2, July 31, 1910, Muncie, Ind., machine bottle; 14, Sept. 24, 1910, Niles, O., bulb; 19, Dec. 9, 1910, Toledo, O., caster place; 44, Dec. 31, 1910, Vineland, N. J., caster place; 99, October 21, 1910, Philadelphia, cutters; 110, Dec. 5, 1910, Jermyn, Pa., cutters; 113, Aug. 5, 1910, New Bedford, Mass., cutters; 115, Oct. 3,1910, Hillsboro, Ill., machine jar; 118, Oct. 19, 1910, Elmira, N. Y., cutters; 119, Dec. 19, 1910, Connellsville, Pa., press.
