[Newspaper]
Publication: The Muncie Daily Times
Muncie, IN, United States
vol. 22, no. 134, p. 5, col. 4-5
ADJOURN TOMORROW
Green Bottle Blowers' Convention
Will Soon End.
Grievance Committee's Report and Appeal
of United Mine Workers'
Considered Today.
Of all the great labor unions, probably the Green Bottle Blowers' association is in the most prosperous condition. The report of Secretary Launer shows an increase in surplus of nearly $20,000 over last year. The following are some statistics from the secretary's report that will well illustrate the financial state of the body:
From July 1, 1897, to July 1, 1898:
On hand July 1, 1897...........................................$ 56,447 84
Received by assessment.......................................$ 18,973 51
Received by per capita tax...................................$ 9,377 91
Received by interest on deposits..........................$ 2,268 97
Received by other sources....................................$ 2,168 0
__________
$ 89,236 23
Expenditures —
From July 1, 1897, to July 1, 1898 .....................$ 15,938 93
__________
Total Balance............................................. $ 73,297 30
Balance in the death beneficiary department,
July 1, 1897..................................................... $ 1,765 12
Received during year........................................ $ 14,591 50
__________
$ 16,336 67
Paid out during year on deaths......................... $ 14,000 00
__________
On hand............................................................ $ 2,336 67
RECAPITULATION.
July 1, 1898, balance in Treas. Auth's hands —
General funds...................................................... $ 73,297 30
Death funds......................................................... $ 2,336 67
__________
Grand total.......................................................... $ 75,633 97
Commenting upon this report the Commoner end Glassworker says:
This is the greatest financial report ever made by the secretary. The death beneficiary is shown to be in excellent shape, haring over $1,000 more on hand than a year ago, after paying out $14,000. Five hundred dollars is paid to each member’s family in case of his death, an assessment of twenty-five cents being levied on the death of a member. The fund is in such a shape now that the members will be exempted from four or five assessments, should they be necessary during the summer."
In his report made last week, President Hayes said among other things, referring to the glass blowing machines "In a circular I stated the machines were still imperfect and much of their output wasted, but that their plan of operation was such as to allow of great improvement. When I last saw these machines some improvements had been made and it is my candid opinion that they will continue to be improved. Inventions of this kind give promise of large profits and men of capital can secure the services of scientific machine constructors, hence the crude machine of to-day becomes the perfect one of tomorrow. There is no denying the fact that machinery has become a pronounced factor in our trade. At present it is very difficult to measure the effects, but its introduction into the jar department will not create the hardship experienced by other trades, whose members have been entirely displaced. Still it is our duty to do all in our power to furnish some means and encourage every prospect that will lead to the employment of our members displaced by these machines. Trade unions furnish no means of meeting the problem of labor saving machinery except by a reduction of the hours of work. This remedy is within our reach providing we act intelligently and conservatively in the matter and do not weaken our position by making excessive or unreasonable demands in other directions."
The report of the price list committee favored shorter hours and a slight increase in the wage scale. What effect the demand will have can only be determined after the conference is had with the manufacturers. It is thought that the result of the conference will be favorable to the organization.
The delegates to the convention rested yesterday. The members present mostly attended the Sangerfest and otherwise enjoyed themselves. Saturday afternoon they went to the east side of the court house where they were photographed by Photographer Goodlander. As usual a nine o’clock meeting was called by President Hayes this morning. There were a large number of grievances. An official of the association said, this morning, that the convention would probably adjourn tomorrow evening, not later than Wednesday. The disposition of the delegates is to hurry matters as much as possible and this will have a tendency to shorten the time. To-morrow the place of meeting for the next convention will be chosen as will also the officers to serve during the ensuing year. There are four cities in the race for the '99 convention, they being Detroit, Milwaukee, Atlantic City and Zanesville. Detroit and Atlantic City are slow in the lead and it is entirely probable that one or the other of these two places will be successful in obtaining the next meeting. At one time, Marion this state, was thought to be a candidate but it seems that she has withdrawn or is in a receptive state only. The present officers if they so desire, will probably be re-elected without opposition.
Late this afternoon it was thought among the possibilities that the convention will be closed to-night by holding a night convention. Word was received from the headquarters of the United Mine Workers of America this morning requesting the G. B. B A. to assist them in their fight against the products of the West Virginia mines which were declared to be unfair.
