PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

Thirty-Ninth Convention of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union

FIRST DAY.

MORNING SESSION.

HIGH SCHOOL OF COMMERCE,

COLUMBUS, OHIO, July 5, 1915.

The convention was called to order by S. L. Donahoe, chairman of the arrangement committee, who welcomed the delegates in the names of Local Unions Nos. 60 and 127 of Lancaster, Local Union No. 30 of Newark, and Local Union No. 122 of Columbus, Ohio.

Invocation.

Rev. Washington Gladden, of the First Congregational Church, offered the prayer at the opening of the Convention.

Addresses of Welcome.

On behalf of the people of Columbus, Honorable Mayor George J. Karb extended greetings and reviewed the early history of the city, stating that the first capital was in Marietta over a hundred years ago. It was then moved to Cincinnati, from there to Chillicothe, thence to Zanesville, and finally, on the recommendation of a committee of five from the general state assembly, the capital was brought to Columbus. At that time the population was only 700, today it is over 200,000. And it is in the name of each of these 200,000 that he welcomed the delegates and hoped our deliberations would be for the best interest of those whom we represent.

George Miles, representing the Columbus Central Labor Union, and an early member of our organization, but now a member of the Glass Bottle Blowers Association, spoke in brief of the good accomplished by the relation existing between employers and employees, and the method of meeting them in conference. He commended the members of Local Union No. 122 for the firm stand they are taking and the manly and

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orderly way they have conducted their strike for the past two

years.

T. J. Duffy, member of the State Industrial Commission, ex-president of the National Brotherhood of Potters, gave the principal address of the day. He said that the brotherhood he held membership in had been patterned after the American Flint Glass Workers' Union taking our constitution twenty-six years ago as the basis for forming theirs. In a general way he reviewed the economic condition of the workingman from the earliest ages up to the present time and the reason and right of the existence of the labor union. In conclusion he referred to the war across the sea, and expressed his personal view, that a lack of the proper use of intelligence on the part of the people was the cause of the war. His address was the best listened to in a number of years and met with the hearty approval of all who had the good fortune of being present.

John Moore, president of the Ohio Miners, very cordially greeted the delegates and spoke in the highest terms of the striking members of Local Union No. 122. He offered his assistance to the delegates and the use of his office for their convenience.

President Rowe's Response.

In behalf of the assembled delegates and friends President Rowe expressed sincere appreciation for the cordial greetings and good wishes, and assured all present that no privilege extended would be abused.

Report of Credential Committee.

In harmony with law a Credential Committee had been previously appointed and they reported as follows:

COLUMBUS, OHIO, July 5, 1915.

To the Officers and Delegates Assembled:

We, your Credential Committee, having examined all credentials and considered the eligibility of those who failed to receive credentials, desire to report that the record that we herewith produce contains the names of members that have presented proper credentials and are eligible to a seat in this Convention. We advise that they be seated and entitled to the votes appearing opposite their names, as follows:

We find that Local Union No. 15 failed to conform to constitutional law when electing their delegates. A protest was entered against their delegates being seated. Subsequently, however, the protest was withdrawn and the local voted unanimously to send the delegates elect.

Considering all the circumstances your committee feels that it is the part of wisdom to seat the representatives with the distinct understanding that Local Union No. 15 shall be admonished that in the future the laws of this Organization must be observed. To this their representatives have agreed and promised to so report at the next meeting of the Local Union.

With this understanding, your committee recommends that Carl Gildow and Perle R. Morgan be seated and entitled to one vote each.

Local Union No. 29 has been rather unfortunate in being wronged by a former secretary. The local has made an excellent effort to pay their debt and we advise that their delegate, John Dornhecker, be seated and permitted to cast two votes.

The delegate elected to represent Local Union No. 40 was in bad standing when elected and, like the delegates from Local Union No. 15, was denied a credential. The Local Union was

not aware that the brother was in debt to the National Union, and after they learned the facts in the case they voted unanimously to allow the election to stand.

No protest having been entered, and the local ratifying the election at a later meeting, warrants your committee in recommending that Charles Hensel be permitted to represent Local Union No. 40 and allowed one vote.

For a number of years Local Union No. 52 has been deprived of credentials due to a debt of a former secretary. At the Rochester Convention their representatives promised to put forth an extra effort towards having the debt liquidated, but this was not done.

Their present representatives put forth the claim that poor time was the cause of their failure but assured this committee that if they are seated in this Convention a much better report will be produced one year hence.

Recognizing the fact that conditions have been bad the past season, and relying on the promises made, your committee recommends that Albert McCloskey and Charles Baugh be seated as delegates from Local Union No. 52 and allowed one vote each.

The representatives of Local Union No. 122 were not given credentials because of a debt of $50.00 standing against the local. When we consider the fact that their members have been locked out since the inception of their local organization, we find justifiable grounds for recommending that E. A. Walters, Barney J. Larkin, S. L. Donahoe and Edw. W. Zimpher be seated as delegates to this Convention with one vote each.

The members of Local Union No. 136 are not paid in full. Their assessments are paid on all the money that has been received and the deficiency of one week will be received next Saturday. Under these conditions we recommend that John C. Hamilton, George Stout and John Kemper be seated and permitted to cast one vote each.

Local Union No. 72 protested the seating of the delegates from Local Unions Nos. 3 and 94. Sometime past Local Union No. 72 preferred charges against individual members of Local Unions Nos. 3 and 94 for the purpose of collecting certain debts. In each instance the individual acknowledged the debt and some payments were made. Subsequently the members in question changed their places of employment before the debts were paid in full. Local Union No. 72 took the position that Local Unions Nos. 3 and 94 should have refused cards to the individuals until their debts were paid in full and failing