Organizing Efforts. The annual reports of your Organizers will afford an idea of their labors, the localities they have covered and the condition of non-union houses. If our various trade committees desire any further information regarding the hours of labor, wages paid, amount produced, line of ware made, or the progress made in organizing in any localities, they should not fail to request an address from the Organizer who covered the point in mind. Bad trade conditions have interfered to some extent with organizing work, but we have done our best to induce all eligible workers to unite with us before approaching the employer with a request for the unionization of his factory when we are ready to proceed in that direction. Those who have had any experience in organizing work and the many bad characters with whom they have to deal and contend surely understand that the work of the officers is not a very pleasant task at all times. I firmly believe that we should continue our organizing efforts, as it is essential to our good, and we must not give up hope of completely unionizing our trade, even if we do meet with an occasional reverse. Bad trade conditions, great obstacles and bitter opposition should vitalize us, inspire us with determination to be firm and a unit in our efforts, so that all our energies will be cemented into one solid, substantial, loyal phalanx, marching forward to our destined goal. I recommend that our organizing efforts be continued and that all our members render such aid as may be in their power, always keeping in view that the advice of the Organizer who has charge of the work should be observed. Do Your Duty. The Trade Union movement is humanitarian. It was born of a resolute determination to improve industrial conditions. Its entire history is replete with struggles for shorter hours of labor, better wages, more sanitary conditions of employment, humane treatment, more time for recreation and an elevation of the toilers toward a higher and more ennobling scale in life. The soul of the movement are the hearts and lives of its members, woven into the cause by indefatigable efforts and sacrifices against tremendous opposition within and without. Marvelous progress and success has been attained, yet it seems that each decade brings forth new problems to solve and obstacles to overcome. While we are small in numbers compared to the great number affiliated with the cause of labor, yet, we are a part of the structure and the good that we may do and procure for mankind contributes its share to the general effort for success. If we fail in our task the injury resulting will be felt by others. To the delegates to this convention are intrusted the affairs of our Association, and you should be fully conscious of the dignity and responsibility devolving upon you, as the welfare of our members rests with your actions and judgment. You must not forget the solemn and melancholy fact that there is a general depression in trade affairs and that our members are suffering their share of this calamity; that there exists a large army of unemployed throughout our land vainly seeking employment and the necessities of life, and that when an industrial stagnation prevails it behooves us to avoid trouble, if it can be done with honor and without any important sacrifices. We should display a spirit that will inspire new courage and love for mankind and revitalize our forces with the supreme hope of accomplishing successful results for those we have the honor of representing. If you discern danger signs, do not fear avoiding them. If you observe an opportunity for improvement, do not allow your courage to fail you. The welfare of our Organization should be the chief point considered at all times and your action should be guided by a desire to promote its interest. Fanciful experiments should be absolutely avoided and our efforts confined to the real practical plans for our betterment. The fundamental principles of our Organization have stood the test of many years' time and we have succeeded in winning many beneficial concessions by adhering to a substantial course and further progress can be made if we adhere to a safe and sane policy. Vice President William J. Croke's Demise. In my annual report to the Rochester, 1914, convention your attention was called to the serious illness of our late beloved brother and Vice President, William J. Croke, who passed away Friday, July 31, at 5 a. m., at his home in Toledo, Ohio. We announced his death in the following circular letter: William J. Croke, Vice President of the A. F. G. W. U., whose illness we have regularly reported, passed away Friday, July 31, at 5 a. m., at his late residence, 1071 Lincoln avenue, Toledo, Ohio. Our late brother became seriously ill in November, 1913. An operation was deemed necessary and his gall sack, containing one hundred and one gall stones, entirely removed. He nicely recuperated from the effects of the operation and for a brief time appeared to be recovering his former good health, and then a complication of kidney, heart and artery diseases affected him, from which he expired. There are very few, if any, that were more prominent in the flint glass trade than William J. Croke. He was one of the youngest delegates to the Baltimore, Md., (1890) A. F. G. W. U. convention, and from that time he has taken a very active part in our affairs, being a delegate to a number of conventions, serving as an executive in the Chimney department and at the Montreal (1894) convention he was elected a delegate to the Denver, Col., A. F. of L. convention, and at the 1901 Atlantic City (N. J.) convention was elected to represent our Association at the Scranton (Pa.) A. F. of L. convention, and he always displayed deep interest in the trade union movement. At the Cincinnati, Ohio, (1903) convention, he was elected Vice President of the A. F. G. W. U. and was re-elected to that position at each successive annual convention. His ideals as a glassworker and his experience as an official endeavoring to execute those wishes proved a great lesson to him. At times, when confronted with a serious problem, he seemed slow to act, yet, when in action, his position was plain and his ability powerful. Regardless of how strenuous the work, and how radical the expressed differences of opinion, mankind possesses a generous nature, and one of the most beautiful and impressive attributes is the respectful reverence displayed by the living towards those who have joined the solemn army of the dead. Death closes the eyes, seals the lips, and when the clay form is cold and we gaze thereon and reflect on the virtues that the shell possessed, the Divine Providence seems to dispel all the ugliness of the past and the goodness within our hearts responds and we reverently bow our head in silence and respect and drop sympathetic tears, created by a sad heart, at the bier of our departed associate. No man occupying such a prominent position can depart from this life without leaving an impression, and we sincerely hope that the excellent accomplishments of our late brother and official companion, as well as the model life characterized by his conduct will lead us to higher ideals and more ennobling deeds. William J. Croke was a devout Christian, lived a splendid life and on that account he was perfectly reconciled to bid us farewell and depart on that sacred journey from whence there is no return. We pray the Great Ruler of all things will welcome him and render his presence there more beautiful and less troublesome than he endured in this vale of smiles and tears. We hope that he will be met by cordial loving friends and that the flowers will always bloom and shed their lovely fragrance on our departed friend at that silent land. . . . . beyond. * BEYOND. BY ELLA WHEELER WILCOX. It seemeth such a little way to me Across to that strange country-the Beyond; So close it lies that when my sight is clear I know I feel those who have gone from here Come near enough sometimes to touch my hand. I often think but for our veiled eyes We should find heaven right round us lies. I cannot make it seem a day to dread When from this dear earth I shall journey out To that still dearer country of the dead, And join the lost ones so long dreamed about. I love this world, yet shall I love to go I never stand above a bier and see The seal of death set on some well-loved face And so for me there is no sting to death, And white, set face-a little strip of sea, As a tribute to our late brother and official and in commemoration of the excellent services he rendered mankind in his trade union activities, I sincerely recommend that your National Officials be instructed to erect a monument on the plot of clay that covers his ashes at a cost not to exceed one thousand dollars. In Conclusion. The duties of President have kept me very busy the past season; in fact it was impossible to attend to all the matters requiring personal attention, but I have done my very best and I hope my work will meet with your cordial fraternal approval. I sincerely trust that you will calmly consider the affairs reviewed in this report and I fervently hope that your deliberations will redound to the credit and benefit of our splendid institution. I am grateful indeed to my co-officials, who have been so generously kind and who so valuably co-operated with me in my labors; and to the Executive Board, Local Union officials and the membership at large, who have rendered aid, I am profoundly thankful. Let Unity, Harmony and Co-operation be our slogan for the ensuing season. THRowe President A. F. G. W. U. |