American Flint Glass Workers' Union

ENCOURAGING STATISTICS.

Secretary-Treasurer Chas. J. Shipman, in

His Annual Report, Presents Convincing

Proof of the Prosperity of the A. F. G. W. U.

National Secretary-Treasurer Charles J. Shipman gives some very encouraging statistics in his report, which in part is as follows:

It is a pleasure for me to state that the forty-first convention of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union will assemble while the country is experiencing the most prosperous era, and with glass trade conditions dooming until they are without parallel in the history of the organization.

We are in the midst of a period of prosperity, industrial activity is at its highest, employers in general are increasing wages, reducing the hours of labor and giving bonuses to their employees in a manner that has been astonishing, with the result that as this report goes to you we have the largest membership and treasury since the institution of the association. Our treasury balance has increased $121,824.29 during the fiscal year ending May 31, 1917. Notwithstanding the wonderful advancement made up to this writing by our association, present indications point to greater achievements along these lines, and a continuance of wage increases, which our members are justly entitled to and which they will no doubt receive providing our laws are strictly adhered to.

It is the members and not the officers who decide what our laws shall be, and when they have placed their stamp of approval on these laws by their vote, then the laws should be respected and lived up to all times.

Must Abide by Our Agreements.

Opportunities were never brighter for the workers, and while we do not object to the members of our association taking advantage of the growing prosperity in striving for better conditions and pay, still we advise that to successfully gain these there is only one course to pursue, that is, by abiding by our conference agreements.

This matter is brought to your attention for the sole purpose of establishing universal peace within our ranks, as I cannot understand what the minority hope to accomplish by keeping the association in a state of chaos by trying to force laws upon its members that the officers and the majority of its members know will be a detriment to the organization. Can it be that they, the minority, imagine they will disgust the majority to that extent that the greater number of them will refuse to outvote them if they keep them voting continuously on their ideas of law and policy? If this is the scheme it is a very poor one, because in my judgment it can be worked both ways, and it is well to remember this policy will result in disaster for the association in a very short time.

It is indeed a fact that we have had sufficient internal differences in the past to satisfy all of us for a lifetime. The vast majority of our members are desirous for unity of purpose and action and want to see all members work in harmony. Therefore, let us profit by the sad experiences we have passed through since Jan. 1, 1900.

Secretary Shipman gives the following figures on the present membership of the A. F. G. W. U. on reports to May 20:

Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,850

Employed at the trade . . . . . . . 8,746

Employed outside the trade . . .    966

Unemployed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    138

The figures by departments are as follows:

Press, 2,170; employed at the trade, 1,861; outside the trade, 269; unemployed, 40.

Cutting, 1,193; employed at the trade, 1,861; outside the trade, 269; unemployed, 40.

Chimney, 1,025; employed at the trade, 893; outside the trade, 109; unemployed, 23.

Punch and stem, 1,063; employed at the trade, 990; outside the trade, 70; unemployed, 3.

Bulb, 1,164; employed at the trade, 1,023; outside the trade, 136; unemployed, 5.

Moldmaking, 763; employed at the trade, 721; outside the trade, 30; unemployed, 12.

Paste Mold, 506; employed at the trade, 479; outside the trade, 19; unemployed, 8.

Caster Place, 851; employed at the trade, 828; outside the trade, 12; unemployed, 11.

Iron Mold, 382; employed at the trade, 327; outside the trade, 41; unemployed, 14.

Shade and Globe, 97; employed at the trade, 82; outside the trade, 5; unemployed, 10.

Machine Press, 164; employed at the trade, 143; outside the trade, 21.

Insulator, 57; employed at the trade, 51, outside the trade, 4; unemployed, 2.

Engraving, 26; employed at the trade, 20; outside the trade, 3; unemployed, 3.

Stopper Grinders, 19; employed at the trade, 18, outside the trade, 1.

Lamp Workers, 370; employed at the trade, 354; outside the trade, 13; unemployed, 3.

The report also contains a very valuable statistical table covering reports of assessments, receipts, expenses, balances in treasury, gains or losses, interest, and amounts paid out for strike and lockout benefits as far back as 1878.

This table shows that the past year has been one of great prosperity for the membership of the A. F. G. W. U.

While the rates of assessment last year were 3, 5, and 2 per cent, this year's rate was 2 per cent.

While last year the balance in the treasury amounted to $146,657.21, the balance this year is $268,481.50, a gain of $121,824.29.

The amount of interest received this year is $5,407.45 as against $2,933.43 interest received last year, while the amounts paid out for strike or lockout benefits this year totaled only $6,247.03 as against $136,408.73 last year.

Summary of receipts and expenses for the year ending May 31, 1917, are as follows:

Receipts.

Two per cent assessments . . . . . . . . . . $174,463.60

Interest   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $5,407.45

Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $2,751.02

Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        $915.81

Paid loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        $216.50

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $180,744.38

Expenses.

Executive board and

national officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,831.34

Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,427.63

Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,995.96

Relief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,247.03

Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,035.41

Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,972.72

Delegate loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $410.00

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. $58,920.09

Receipts in excess of expenses . . . . .. . $121,824.29

Balance in treas., June 1, 1916 . . . . . . . $146,657.21

Balance in treas., June 1, 1917 . . . . . . . $268,481.50

Report of the Treasurer.

Balance on hand June 1, 1916 . . . . . . . . $146,657.21

Receipts from June 1, 1916, to

May 31, 1917 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $180,744.38

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $327,401.59

Expenses from June 1, 1916, to

May 31, 1917 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $58,920.09

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $268,481.50

Where the Funds Are.

The Home Savings Bank Co., Toledo, O . . . . . . . $70,000.00

The Guardian Trust & Savings Bank Co., Toledo, O. . . . . . . . . $50,000.00

The Commercial Savings Bank & Trust Co., Toledo, O. . . . . . . $40,000.00

The Dime Savings Bank Co., Toledo, O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. $35,000.00

The Ohio Savings Bank & Trust Co., Toledo, O. . . . . . . . . . . $25,000.00

The Market Savings Bank Co., Toledo, O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000.00

The Colonial Trust Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $207.08

(*) The Home Savings Bank Co., Toledo, O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $23,274.42

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $268,481.50

(*) We receive 4 per cent on all deposits except this one, which is our checking account, and on this we receive 3 per cent on daily balances.