^6515 United iDrotherhood o^ leather 
 ^•^,. workers on horse poods 
 
 Constitution 1910 
 
 lAHOh 
 
 UC-NRLF 
 
 B M lEt. flDl 
 
n 
 
 UNITED BROTHERHOOD 
 OF LEATHER WORKERS 
 O N H O R S E G O O D S 
 
 v e M T e «E pa T w 
 
 " ' ■' """ ' ,>, ' — ■•■ ' " ' " 
 
 e D IT I O M 
 
 REVISI/D AND AMENDED 
 
 at Chicago Con veotlon , Nov. 15-19, 1910 
 
 D. 
 
 m 
 
ORDER or BUSINESS 
 
 Readinjg^ of niluutes of previoUfi ae&siou 
 
 Report of Committee on Credentials. 
 
 Report of Officers* 
 
 Report of Regular Committees. 
 
 Report of Special Committee*. 
 
 Unfinished Business. 
 
 New Butinc&s. 
 
 Good of tiie Brotherhood. 
 
 Adjournment. 
 
 Order of Btfsiaess No. 1 to be dispen^eci 
 Tvitli until called for by five delegates. Any 
 alteration or correction in minutes of pre 
 viou» sessioas shall be made to the Secretary 
 
 in writing. 
 
 5. 
 4. 
 S. 
 6. 
 
 -7. 
 8. 
 
H l> <5r^ ^^ , l^ ^ bar' vou r > <h •• c: 
 
 r6^-.-i\LM CONSTITUTION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 United Brotherhood 
 
 OF 
 
 Leather Workers 
 
 ON 
 
 Horse Goods, 
 
 ORGANIZED JAN. 1, 1896. 
 
 Revised and Amended at Chicago Convention, 
 November 15-19, 19lO. 
 
 Seventeenth Edition. 
 
PREAMBLE. 
 
 AVhereas, The history of the wage-workers 
 of this and all other countries has been but 
 the record of constant struggle against op- 
 pression, and 
 
 Whereas, Their trouble has arisen almost 
 entirely from lack of unity and confidence in 
 each other as workers, and misunderstanding 
 of true causes of oppression, and 
 
 Whereas, Unity, guided by intelligence, is 
 a source of strength that can withstand all 
 attacks, and without intelligent organiza- 
 tion we cannot acquire the discipline that 
 would enable us to act together, concentrate 
 our strength, direct our efforts toward the 
 desired end, and also acquire the patience 
 Jthat enables us to wait for the results. 
 
 Therefore, For the purpose of promoting 
 unity of sentiment and action among the 
 leather workers on horse goods of this coun- 
 try, and joining them closelj' together for 
 mutual protection, so that each and every 
 member of the several organizations may be 
 benefited thereb5^ the United Brotherhood of 
 Leather "Workers on Horse Goods has been 
 organized, and consists of delegates from 
 regularly organized societies of the trade as 
 shall endorse the Constitution and By-Laws 
 contained herein, and pledge themselves to 
 use their utmost efforts to secure by every 
 legitimate means within their power the 
 benefits that will accrue through intelligent 
 co-operation with each other on all matters 
 affecting the interests of the trade. 
 
GENERAL CONSTITUTION. 
 
 United Brotherhood Leather Work- 
 ers on Horse Goods. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 Title and Objects. 
 
 Section 1. This organization shall be known 
 and designated as the United Brotherhood 
 of Leather Workers on Horse Goods; pro- 
 vided, for all purposes of reference within 
 the various articles and section of this con- 
 stitution, and to facilitate the reading thereof, 
 the United Brotherhood of Leather Workers 
 on Horse Goods shall be referred to and 
 designated as the United Brotherhood or U. B. 
 
 Sec. 2. Its objects shall be the ameliora- 
 tion of the condition of the leather workers. 
 Their advancement, socially, by advocating a 
 closer relationship and by endeavoring to 
 bring all leather workers together in one 
 grand order; morally, by advocating such 
 deportment that none need be ashamed to be 
 found in our company; and intellectually, by 
 teaching its members the grand principles of 
 trade unionism, fraternity, etc. 
 
 ARTICLE II. 
 
 W'ho Shall Compose the United Brotherhood. 
 
 Section 1. The United Brotherhood of 
 Leather Workers on Horse Goods shall con- 
 sist of local branches, who acknowledge the 
 jurisdiction of the U. B. and obey its laws. 
 Such local branches being represented at 
 convention by delegates as provided in Sec- 
 tion 2, Article III. 
 
 ARTICLE IIL 
 Conventions. 
 Seetiou 1. The regular convention of the 
 U. B. shall be held the second Tuesday in 
 
4 General Constitution. 
 
 July, 1912, and bi-enniaUy thereafter, at such 
 place as the delegates have selected at the 
 preceding- convention. Provided, the four (4) 
 cardinal points of the compass and the geo- 
 graphical center of the United States and 
 Canada, shall constitute five (5) general dis- 
 tricts wherein to locate convention city. 
 
 And provided further, that no district shall 
 be favored twice within periods of ten (10) 
 years. This, however, shall not apply to 
 special conventions. 
 
 Proposition to hold special convention may 
 be made by the General Executive Council, 
 or by any local branch upon securing a second 
 from ten local branches. 
 
 Sec. 2. Basis of representation shall be one 
 (1) delegate for each local branch of one 
 hundred (100) members or less. And one (1) 
 delegate for each additional one hundred 
 (100) members or majority fraction thereof. 
 
 See. 3. The U. B. shall allow delegates 
 transportation rates by the shortest route to 
 and from convention. 
 
 Sec. 4. The General Executive Council shall 
 attend all conventions of the United Brother- 
 hood, and be required to make full reports at 
 each convention, with privilege of the floor' 
 but no voting power. This shall, however, 
 not include the General President, who is re- 
 quired to cast the deciding vote on questions 
 of equal division. 
 
 Sec. 5. The General President shall ap- 
 point, in the year when a convention is held, 
 a Committee on law. Said committee shall 
 meet at such time as the General President 
 may deem necessary before the convention 
 (not to exceed three (3) days), in the city in 
 which the convention is to be held, for the 
 purpose of considering all resolutions and 
 amendments presented. All resolutions and 
 amendments shall be mailed to the General 
 Secretary-Treasurer not later than fifteen 
 
General Constitution. 5 
 
 ("15) days before date of convention. The U. 
 B. to defray expenses of the Committee on 
 Law, at the rate of $6.50 per diem. They 
 shall receive no pay after the session of the 
 convention is opened. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 Officers. 
 
 Section 1. The officers of the U. B. shall 
 be a President, an Executive Board, com- 
 posed of five members and the General Sec- 
 retary-Treasurer. 
 
 Sec. 2. ,The General President, five mem- 
 bers of the General Executive Board and the 
 General Secretary-Treasurer, shall constitute 
 the General Executive Council. 
 
 Sec. 3. The geographical center and the 
 cardinal points of the compass as provided 
 for in Art. 3, Sec. 1, shall be considered in the 
 nomination of the General Executive Board 
 by the convention, so that an equal distribu- 
 tion of the General Officers can be secured as 
 far as it is possible. 
 
 Sec. 4. The officers of the U. B. shall be 
 subject to recall by referendum vote on peti- 
 tion of twenty-five per cent of local V^ranches. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 
 Duties of Officers. 
 
 Section 1. It shall be the duty of the Gen- 
 eral President to preside at all meetings of 
 the U. B. or the Executive Council. He shall 
 have the deciding vote on all questions of 
 equal division. 
 
 Shall at all times exercise supervision over 
 all officers of the U. B., and shall require a 
 faithful performance of duties on the part of 
 all officers, and a strict and business-like 
 manner of keeping all accounts, paying out 
 money and conducting correspondence. 
 
6 General Constitution. 
 
 Shall direct the entire executive work of 
 the U. B., and shall be organizer in chief, 
 with power to appoint assistant organizers. 
 who shall be approved by the Exeouti\e 
 Council. 
 
 Shall have power, in case charges are pre- 
 ferred against any officer, to suspend such 
 officer pending an investigation, and if nec- 
 essary, appoint some one instead. 
 
 Shall immediately upon charges being re- 
 ceived, transmit a full statement to tlie ac- 
 cused. 
 
 Shall have power to suspend any officers 
 for incompetency, negligence or otlier fail- 
 ure in successfully carrying on their duties. 
 
 Shall see that all bonds for faithful per- 
 formance of duty are properly made and filed 
 with him. 
 
 Shall approve all expenses, other than ordi- 
 nary running expenses of the International 
 Office. 
 
 Shall designate an expert accountant to 
 audit the books and accounts of the General 
 Secretary-Treasurer at the end of each fiscal 
 year; said accountant to be satisfactory to 
 tlie bonding company. 
 
 Shall see that all moneys of the U. B. are 
 properly and safely deposited in tlie name of 
 the General Secretary-Treasurer as such, and 
 money shall be drawn from such uanks only 
 by check signed by the General Secretary- 
 Treasurer, and countersigned by the General 
 President. 
 
 Shall be required to furnish a surety com- 
 pany bond of not less than $1,000 for faithful 
 performance of duty. 
 
 Shall, in case of mismanagement or misap- 
 propriation of any funds or property of the 
 U. B., be empowered to institute such legal 
 proceedings as shall be necessary to recover 
 such misappropriation, or to puni5;h the 
 offender. 
 
General Constitution, 7 
 
 Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the General 
 Secretary-Treasurer to keep a true account 
 of all transactions between the U. B. 
 and local branches; shall acknowledge the 
 receipt of all moneys received by him; shall 
 conduct all his business correspondence In a 
 prompt and systematic manner, keeping files 
 of all documents, etc. He shall publish in 
 convenient form the Constitution and By- 
 Laws; shall issue all membership cards with 
 a system of stamps, which shall be combined 
 due, traveling, and transfer book; shall issue 
 all supplies to locals; shall, not later than 
 the 30th of each month, furnish to all local 
 branches an itemized statement of the con- 
 dition of the organization for the preceding 
 month; shall see that all bills, as per Sec- 
 tion 4, Article XIV, are itemized in such 
 report, and shall pay all bills drawn on the 
 U. B. by checks countersigned by the 
 General President; shall deposit all money in 
 excess of $500 in bank; shall at the 
 beginning of each fiscal year advertise for 
 all printing and supplies for the fol- 
 lowing year, contract for the same to be let 
 to the lowest responsible union firm. Shall 
 furnish good and sufficient surety company 
 bond in sum not less than 25 per cent in ex- 
 cess of the highest amount of cash in his 
 possession at* any one time. He shall per- 
 form such other duties as may be required 
 by the Constitution and By-Laws. 
 
 He shall be the managing editor of the 
 official Journal, and shall have charge of 
 makeup, printing and advertising, and all 
 financial affairs pertaining thereto. 
 
 Sec. 3. The General Executive Council 
 shall have general supervision over all affairs 
 of the U. B. between Conventions. They shall 
 meet at the Headquarters of the U. B. on the 
 second Monday in July in the years when no 
 regular convention is held, to consider all 
 
8 General Constitution. 
 
 matters of importance to the U. B. and to 
 outline a plan of action for the ensuing year. 
 
 In case an emergency should arise, the 
 General President shall have power to call 
 a special meeting of tlie General Executive 
 Council. 
 
 It shall he their duty to direct and perform 
 the legislative work of the U. B., to be mind- 
 ful of proposed legislation, either state or 
 national; to call upon the entire jurisdiction 
 when necessary to aid them in their work; 
 and perform such other duties as may be 
 prescribed by the Constitution and B^^-Laws. 
 
 They shall, iri cases of emergency, where 
 no law exists, use their best judgment and at 
 once frame a law and submit it to the juris- 
 diction at large. If a majority vote is re- 
 corded the measure sliall be declared a law. 
 
 They shall have power to make such rules 
 and adopt such measures, not in conflict witli 
 the Constitution and By-Laws of the U. B., 
 as may seem proper for the thorough organ- 
 ization of the trade. 
 
 In case the General Executive Council find 
 it nece.ssary to enter into any contract or 
 agreement with an association of firms, the 
 Executive Council must svibmit the contract 
 or agreement to the jurisdiction at large, to 
 be voted on, a majority vote being necessary 
 to ratify such contract or agreement. 
 
 Any member of the General Executive 
 Council or any regularly appointed organ- 
 izer shall have access to the accounts of 
 any local branch for examination, when such 
 executive officer happens to reach a local 
 branch upon business under instructions. 
 
 In case of a grave emergency, the General 
 Executive Council shall have the power to au- 
 thorize and direct the General President to 
 suspend any law, laws, or part of a law, for 
 a period of ninety (90) days without submit- 
 ting the question whether such suspended 
 law, laws, or part of a law shall or shall not 
 
General Constitution. 9 
 
 continue to be a law, but after the expira- 
 tion of ninety (90) days such suspended law, 
 laws, or part of a law must again be declared 
 In full force and effect until such time that 
 an absolute crisis makes a temporary sus- 
 pension again necessary. 
 
 Sec. 5. The General President shall be the 
 Chief Organizer, with power to appoint 
 such assistants as may be necessary, such 
 appointments to be subject to the approval 
 of the Executive Council. He shall devote all 
 possible time to organizing work, and shall 
 perform such other duties as may be pro- 
 vided for in this Constitution and By-Laws. 
 
 It shall be the duty of the Assistant Or- 
 ganizer to prepare a list of unorganized 
 towns whose importance would warrant the 
 institution of a local union; he shall submit 
 the same to the General President for his 
 approval, and, if approved, shall proceed at 
 once upon his duties, and before the expira- 
 tion of his first duties he shall have sub- 
 mitted and have approved his next list. 
 
 He shall furnish weekly to the General 
 President a detailed report of the business 
 transacted, and shall make such recommen- 
 dations as in his judgment may be required 
 for the welfare of the U. B. ; but at no time 
 shall the Organizer devote any time, assist- 
 ance or attention to individual interests or 
 prospective benefit of any member. 
 
 Should an emergency arise, by direction of 
 the General President, the Assistant Organ- 
 izer shall cancel dates previously made and 
 proceed at once as directed. He shall receive 
 for his services the sum of $21.00 per week, 
 together with railroad fare, by the cheapest 
 and shortest route, including Pullman berth 
 when traveling by night, and such other 
 actual expenses as have been itemized, re- 
 ceipted for and paid, such expenses not to 
 exceed $3.00 per day per week. The same to 
 
10 General Constitution. 
 
 be submitted each week and approved by the 
 Executive Council. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. 
 NomlBations and E^lection of Officers. 
 
 Section 1. All General Officers shall be 
 nominated in open convention, and the elec- 
 tion held by roll call vote of the delegates. 
 The two candidates receiving the highest 
 number of votes for each of the several 
 offices, shall be the nominees, and shall be 
 submitted to the jurisdiction for a referen- 
 dum vote. The vote shall be canvassed by 
 the General President and General Secretary- 
 Treasurer and a committee of three, who 
 shall be elected by the nearest locals to 
 Headquarters. They shall count and tabulate 
 the result of the vote and announce the re- 
 sults in the official Journal. No member 
 shall be eligible to office, either general or 
 local, who has been guilty of defalcation or 
 otherwise defrauding the U. B. 
 
 Sec. 2. The General Secretary-Treasurer 
 shall, before August 1st, send to all local 
 branches properly prepared ballots contain- 
 ing the names of all eligible candidates 
 printed thereon, and in voting, the member 
 shall put a cross before the name of the can- 
 didates he desires to vote for, thus: 
 
 EZi 
 
 And the candidate receiving the highest 
 number of votes shall be declared elected. 
 The local Secretary-Treasurer and President 
 shall place the original votes cast, together 
 with the record of the result, signed and 
 sealed in an envelope provided for that pur- 
 pose. All votes must be cast, and ballots 
 and record sheets must be in the hands of 
 tlie General Secretary-Treasurer on or before 
 September 1st. 
 
General Constitution. 11 
 
 Sec. 3. All local branches entitled to dele- 
 gateis shall, at the first regular meeting in 
 April, or as soon thereafter as possible, be- 
 fore the convention, elect delegates from 
 their local branch, as provided for in Sec- 
 tion 2, Article III, to represent them at the 
 convention, and shall also elect an alternate 
 for each delegate, who shall act in case the 
 regular delegate is unable to serve. The 
 local Secretary-Treasurer shall, within forty- 
 eight hours after such election, forward 
 name and address of delegates and alter- 
 nates to the General Secretary-Treasurer. 
 
 See. 4. All elections, both general and 
 local, shall be by secret ballot and shall 
 require a majority to elect, except where 
 otherwise provided for. The results of all 
 votes cast by each local branch for the nom- 
 inations and election of general officers shall 
 be published in the Journal. 
 
 ARTICLE VII. 
 Vacancies. 
 
 Section 1. Should a vacancy occur in the 
 office of General President, the General Sec- 
 retary-Trea.surer shall immediately call a 
 meeting of the General Executive Council to 
 fill the vacancy. Should a vacancy occur in 
 the office of General Secretary-Treasurer, the 
 General President shall act as General Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer pro tem, pending the immed- 
 iate calling of a meeting of the General Exe- 
 cutive Council and the election of a successor. 
 Should a vacancy occur in the General Execu- 
 tive Board, the General President shall ap- 
 point some one to fill the vacancy, subject 
 to the approval of the General Executive 
 Council. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any officer becoming derelict in 
 his duties, charges may be preferred to the 
 President against said officer; the President 
 shall notify the accused within forty-eight 
 hours of such charges, also the Executive 
 
12 General Constitution. 
 
 Council. The accused shall be given twelve 
 days to answer such charges. Upon proof 
 being produced to substantiate such charges, 
 the Executive Council shall prescribe such 
 penalty as may be just, even to expulsion. 
 In addition, dishonesty, gross immorality, 
 habitual drunkenness and the conviction of 
 a felony, shall be considered as just cause 
 for expulsion. In case the President becomes 
 derelict in his duties, charges may be pre- 
 ferred to the General Secretary-Treasurer 
 who shall have the same power as the Presi- 
 dent, and proceed in the same manner as 
 provided for in this section. 
 
 Sec. 3. The General Executive Council 
 shall be a court of justice, wherein any 
 rriember feeling aggrieved at the action of a 
 local branch may appeal; providing, however, 
 that when an appeal is taken, the appellant 
 shall notify the local and' a copy of the said 
 appeal must be filed with the local branch 
 and a copy sent to the General President. 
 The General Executive Council shall exam- 
 ine all evidence and render a decision within 
 20 days after the accused has filed answer to 
 charges. 
 
 Sec. 4. Each local branch shall have the 
 right to appeal from the decision of the 
 General Executive Council not later than 30 
 days after such decision; such appeal shall be 
 published in pamphlet form by and at the 
 expense of the appealing local, and a copy 
 sent to each local branch. It shall be the 
 duty of each local branch to take action on 
 any appeal at their next meeting following 
 receipt of same and report to the General 
 Secretary-Treasurer and Secretary-Treasurer 
 of the appealing local within 48 hours there- 
 after. If within 30 days after taking appeal, 
 the appeal having received the endorsement 
 of at least 10 local branches, it shall be sub- 
 mitted to the jurisdiction at large and a ma- 
 jority vote of members voting shall be final. 
 
General Constitution. 
 
 Sec. 5. No member shall be eligible to of- 
 fice, unless having" been a member one year. 
 
 ARTICLE VIII. 
 
 Organizatiou. 
 
 Section 1. A local branch of the U. B. inay 
 be organized by any number of leather 
 workers, not less than ten, provided they are 
 qualified according to this Constitution. 
 
 Sec. 'J. Journeymen working on harness, 
 saddles, collars, horse-boots, gig-saddles, 
 rtiachine operators and skilled workmen di- 
 rectly employed in the manufacture of sad- 
 dlery or anything made of leather or other 
 fabric which_ a horse wears, shall be eligible 
 to membership. This shall include manufac- 
 turers who employ two journeymen or less, 
 foremen with less than four' journeymen and 
 apprentices having worked at the trade for 
 a period of one year. Contractors shall be 
 excluded, also foremen, assistant foremen, 
 cutter.s, and journeymen w^ho work in peni- 
 tentiaries or for lessees of penitentiaries. 
 Any man who is competent in his class and 
 can command the average rate of wages in 
 his locality shall constitute a journeyman. 
 
 Sec. 3. The entrance fee for local branches 
 shall be twelve dollars. All necessary sup- 
 plies shall be furnished by the U. B. 
 
 Sec. 4. That where ten members in good 
 standing locate in any city where no local 
 exists, they shall apply for a charter, and 
 upon receipt of same, they shall immediately 
 have their books transferred to said local 
 and shall be entitled to benefits according to 
 the age of their membership. No fee shall be 
 allowed any one for the institution of such a 
 local branch; charter and supplies to be fur- 
 nished free of charge. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 Cards. 
 Section 1. The U. B. will furnish members 
 with a due book which shall be combined 
 
14 General Constitution. 
 
 due, traveling and transfer book. Said due 
 book shall be so constructed as to admit of 
 the foregoing results. 
 
 Sec. 2. Local dues shall be paid by a. 
 stamp system, provided by the General Sec- 
 retary-Treasurer of the U. B. 
 
 Sec. 3. Retiring cards may be issued to 
 foremen who have four or more journeymen 
 under their charge. Head cutters and head 
 machine operators shall not be considered 
 foremen. Retiring cards may be issued to 
 members who accept a position outside the 
 trade or engage in business for themselves. 
 Any member who accepts a position at a 
 trade or calling where there i^ a union of 
 the same, must join said union or be sus- 
 pended from the U. B. In all cases where 
 retiring cards are issued the members desir- 
 ing same must be paid up in full of all ac- 
 counts against them to date of application 
 for cards. Upon failing to deposit said retir- 
 ing card with the local branch in the city or 
 nearest to the place of employment within 
 six days after returning to work, said retir- 
 ing card shall become null and void. The 
 retiring card of any person violating the 
 laws or working against the interests of the 
 U! B. shall be annulled, which shall forfeit 
 to the holder all rights and privileges 
 granted by the Constitution. 
 
 Sec. 4. Any member holding a retiring 
 card may become a beneficiary member three 
 months after depositing his retiring card 
 with a local branch of the U. B. and pay- 
 ing dues from the date of deposit, secur- 
 ing to him the standing held by him pre- 
 vious to taking out his retiring card, pro- 
 vided, said member has not been gufity of 
 any offense against the order; but he may 
 become an active member upon date of ele- 
 positing said card. 
 
 Sec. 5. No member shall be entitled to a 
 
General Constitution. 15 
 
 retiring- card while working at the trade, ex- 
 cept as provided for in Section 3, Article IX.^ 
 
 See. 6. Any person working where no local 
 branch Is in existence may become a member 
 of the U. B. at large by paying two dollars 
 entrance fee and the regular dues as pro- 
 vided for. Any member at large or of a local 
 branch, upon going to work in the jurisdic- 
 tion of a local branch must deposit his card 
 with said local branch within six days. 
 
 Sec. 7. Any member holding a retiring 
 card cannot deposit same until he is work- 
 ing at the trade. 
 
 Sec. 8. Any member upon being trans- 
 ferred, shall be furnished with a clearance 
 card under seal, upon which shall be placed 
 a true account of his standing with the local 
 aitd a statement of all moneys, if any he may 
 owe and on what account they are due, and 
 any Indebtedness appearing thereon except U. 
 B. money shall be collected by the local re- 
 ceiving the transfer, as per Article X, Sec^ 
 tion 5, General Constitution, s^me to be for- 
 warded to local to which it is due. 
 
 ARTICLE X. 
 Revenues, Property, Etc. 
 
 Section 1. The revenues of the U. B. shall 
 be the per cent of all dues, fines and initia- 
 tion fees of all local branches and the U. B. 
 
 Sec. 2. The property of the V- B. shaTl be 
 all moneys, papers, books ©r property, of 
 whatsoever nature, of all local branches of 
 the U. B. 
 
 Sec. 3. Local branches will remit the fol- 
 lowing per cent of gross receipts to the Gen- 
 eral Secretary-Treasurer of the U. B. each 
 month. 
 
 Local branches shall remit a flat rate of 
 55 per cent of gross receipts to the General 
 Secretary-Treasurer of the U. B. each month. 
 Not to exceed 20 per cent of all per capita 
 
10 General Constitution. 
 
 tax received by Headquartei's may be set 
 aside for organizing purposes; sucli fund 
 shall be used in such manner as the General 
 Executive Council shall direct. 
 
 Sec. 4. Gross receipts shall be construed 
 to mean dues and initiation fees, excepting 
 where there is a local increased initiation 
 fee, said locals to retain all initiation fees ex- 
 ceeding the regular per cent of constitutional 
 fees, as per Article X, Section 3; and 50 per 
 cent of all fines of a local nature shall be re- 
 tained by the local collecting said fine. 
 
 Sec. 5. The local branches shall in addition 
 to the per cent provided for in Section 3, 
 Article X, have supervision over all money or 
 property other than gross receipts. 
 
 Sec. 6. Should a local branch from any 
 cause cease to work, the proper officer or 
 officers shall be held responsible by the 
 U. B. for all moneys, books or other property, 
 and it is their duty to forward same, imme- 
 diately, to the General Secretary-Treasurer 
 of the U. B. 
 
 ARTICLE XI. 
 Strikes aud Strike Benefits. 
 
 Section 1. The U. B. guarantees its moral 
 and financial support in any just difficulty 
 that may arise between its members and 
 their employers, as provided for in this Con- 
 stitution and By-Laws. 
 
 Sec. 2. Strike benefits shall be $7.00 per 
 week for married men with fainilies depend- 
 ing upon them, and $5.00 per week for .'tingle 
 men, for fifteen weeks, which may be ex- 
 tended by the General Executive Council, if 
 in their judgment it is deemed advisable. 
 
 Sec. 3. ^Vhen a local contemplates a move- 
 ment for the improvement of their conditions, 
 or should any local branch make a demand 
 for an increase in wages or reduction of the 
 hour.s of labor, the local branch shall hold a 
 meeting and notify all members by mail to 
 
General Const.itut,ion. (17 
 
 attend same. They shall determine by secret 
 ballot \yhat action is necessary. It. shall re- 
 quire a two-thirds vote of all members pres- 
 ent to decide. Shpuld a local branch decide 
 to make a demand, they shall, fifteen days 
 previous to presenting said demand to their 
 emploj'ers, submit a copy of the demands to 
 the \ General President and General, Execu- 
 tive Council of the U. B., together, >\'ith all 
 necessary information regarding th^ condi- 
 tion of trade, the number of men organized 
 and unorganized, and whether or not the. em- 
 ployers are organized. 
 
 See. 4. The local branch, after making, de- 
 mands and using every effort towards a set- 
 tlement and finding that a satisfactory settle- 
 ment cannot be reached, shall at onoe notify 
 the General President by telegraph. If neces- 
 sary the General President shall proceed to- 
 the place of controversy and endeavor, in con- 
 junction with the local, to effect a settlement- 
 Should it be impossible for the General Presi- 
 dent to go, he shall notify the e;xecutive offi- 
 cer nearest the scene of trouble, to proceed: 
 there at once. Should executive officer Ije 
 sent to the city and in his opinion the strike- 
 can be prevented and an honorable settle- 
 ment secured, he shall so report to the Gen- 
 eral President, who shall instruct the local 
 that they must endeavor to settle matters 
 v^ith the aid of said officer. If the local re- 
 fuses to comply with the instructions sent 
 them and to consider the settlement that the 
 executive officer believes can be reached, the 
 case shall be sent in writing to the General 
 President, the local branch and executive 
 officer each giving their side of the case. 
 Same shall then be submitted to a,ll local 
 branches for their approval or disapproval, 
 whether strike benefits shall be paid or not. 
 
 Sec. 5. The Secretary-Treasurer of the 
 local branch shall, within three days after 
 receiving such information, call a meeting 
 
18 General Constitution. 
 
 and vote by secret ballot for or against such 
 application and immediately telegraph the 
 General President the total number of votes 
 cast for and against. Should the local branch 
 be sustained in their application, the General 
 President shall then notify them to call out 
 their men and instruct the General Secretary- 
 Treasurer to send each, week the amount of 
 assistance provided for. 
 
 Sec. 6. It shall require a two-thirds vote 
 of members voting to approve any strike ap- 
 plication. The decision of the local branches 
 voting to be final. 
 
 No local branch shall call out their men 
 until they receive instructions from the Gen- 
 eral President to do so. 
 
 See. 7. Any local branch entering into an 
 agreement, either strike or otherwise, shall 
 make full report of the matter to the General 
 President, wlio, in turn, shall report same 
 to the jurisdiction. This does not apply to 
 itemized price lists. 
 
 See, 8. It shall be the duty of all local 
 branches to submit to the General President 
 a true copy of all communications, price lists 
 and agreements, passing between the local 
 branch and firms in their jurisdiction. 
 
 See. 9. It shall be the duty of all local 
 branches to correspond with the General 
 President two months prior to the expiration 
 of agreements, giving full information as to 
 the conditions prevailing at such time. All 
 such data to be placed on file at Head- 
 quarters. 
 
 ARTICLE XII. 
 Benefits. 
 Section 1. Any member who has been in 
 good standing and in gooA health, and hav- 
 ing paid dues for six months, shall be en- 
 titled to a sick benefit of five dollars per 
 week, unless such sickness or disability is 
 caused by his own immoral conduct or by 
 
General Constitution. 19 
 
 the excessive use of alcoholic beverages; but 
 all new members in good standing becoming 
 sick or out of work shall be entitled to out- 
 of-work stamps. 
 
 In all cases of sickness of a member, the 
 Sick Committee shall have full charge, they 
 to investigate and employ a physician to 
 ascertain the cause of illness if in their judg- 
 ment it is necessary. 
 
 No benefit shall be allowed for one week's 
 sickness, but if a member is sick two weeks 
 or over continuously, he may draw $5.00 for 
 the second week, and $5.00 for each week 
 thereafter until he has drawn benefits for 
 ten weeks. 
 
 No member shall receive sick benefits for 
 more than ten weeks in any one year, said 
 year to commence with beginning of first 
 sickness. 
 
 Any member who becomes sick or disabled 
 shall report, either in writing or verbally, 
 to the local branch or Sick Committee. Sick- 
 ness or disability to be dated from the date 
 on which he reports himself sick or disabled. 
 
 Any member failing to comply with this 
 section shall not be entitled to benefits. 
 
 After a member has received ten weeks 
 sick benefits and being unable to go to 
 work, he shall be entitled to out-of-work 
 stamps, as provided for in Article XIII, Sec- 
 tion 3, General Constitution. A member be- 
 ing unable to go to work at the expiration of 
 this extension of benefits shall be declared 
 totally disabled; such member not wishing to 
 take out a retiring card can, by paying his 
 dues and assessments, be entitled to the 
 death benefits as provided for in Article XII, 
 Section 2, General Constitution. But this 
 section shall in no wise entitle such members 
 to any other benefits. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any member who has been in good 
 standing for a continuous period of one year 
 
20 General Constitution. 
 
 or over, in case of death, his beneficiary shall 
 be entitled to a death benefit of $10.00. Three 
 years or over, $75.00; four years or over, 
 $100.00. 
 
 Sec. 3. All benefits shall be paid by the 
 U. B. Any local branch paying a benefit shall 
 report the same at once to 'the General Sec- 
 retary-Treasurer, who will reimburse the 
 local branch. 
 
 Sec. 4. Out-of-work stamps are benefits. 
 
 Sec. 5. Any member having been in bad 
 standing, shall not be entitled to benefits 
 immediately upon payment of arrears, but 
 shall be debarred from sick and death bene- 
 fits for a period of three months. 
 
 Sec. 6. Any member suffering from a 
 chronic or incurable disease, ailment or in- 
 jurJ^ shall not be entitled to receive more 
 than ten weeks' sick benefits for such 
 chronic or incurable disease, ailment or in- 
 jury. If he is incapacitated from work by a 
 recurrence of said disease, ailment or injury, 
 he shall be entitled to receive thirteen out- 
 of-work stamps in each year dating from the 
 beginning of first claim for benefits. Local 
 branches shall be reimbursed by headquarters 
 for all medical fees incurred in any case 
 where there is a doubt as to whether or not 
 a member comes under this law. 
 
 ARTICLE XIII. 
 Dues. 
 
 Section 1. The dues of all members, either 
 local or at large, shall be thirty cent.s per 
 week, flue and payable each Saturday, said 
 dues to include subscription to the otfi(;iial 
 .iournal. 
 
 Sec. 2. Dues commence and must be paid 
 beginning with the first Saturday following 
 date of election. 
 
 Sec. 3. Local Secretary-Treasurers will be 
 furnished with out-of-work stamps, which 
 shall be used in lieu of regular due stamps 
 
General QynsLitntior. 2V. 
 
 when member is entitled to exemption from 
 dues, while being- sick or out of work. 
 
 A member shall report the date of the 
 beginning of his idleness in person or by let- 
 ter, at the first regular meeting of his local 
 branch, after such idleness began. And for 
 every week of continuous idleness the local 
 Secretary-Treasurer shall affix an out-of- 
 work stamp for each week's idleness, for a 
 period of not more than thirteen weeks in any 
 one year, after which time the member shall 
 begin to pay dues or take out a retiring card, 
 except in case of sickness, strike or lockout. 
 
 Members receiving sick benefits shall pay 
 dues. 
 
 Sec. 4. Members holding position, but vol- 
 untarilj' laying off, shall not be construed as 
 out-of-work members, and shall not be en- 
 titled to exemption from dues. 
 
 See. 5. In case of an emergency the Gen- 
 eral Executive Cotincil shall have power to 
 levy assessments on each and every member 
 of the U. B. Members who are sick "or out of 
 work shall be exempt from payn^ent of as- 
 sessment. Any member failing to pay any 
 assessment within ten days after same be- 
 comes due, shall be suspended from member- 
 ship, and can only be reinstated upon the 
 payment of all assessments he may owe. 
 Local secretary-treasurers shall furnish the 
 General Secretary-Treasurer with a list of all 
 members owing assessments. 
 
 ARTICLE XIV. 
 
 Salaries. 
 
 Section 1. The General President shall be 
 alloM-ed the sum of $125 per month, payable 
 monthly, a,nd he shall devote his entire time 
 and services to the organization, and perform 
 all other duties placed upon him by the Con- 
 stitution and By-Laws, and whatever else 
 may be lawfullj' required of him by the Ex- 
 ecutive Council. 
 
22 General Constitution. 
 
 Sec. 2. The salary of the General Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer shall be $125 per month, pay- 
 able monthly. 
 
 The assistant to the General Secretary- 
 Treasurer shall receive the prevailing wages 
 paid for that class of work in the city where 
 such assistant is engaged. 
 
 Sec. 3. In case the Executive Council shall 
 be called together or any member thereof be 
 required to leave his home, or be compelled 
 to cease his regular employment, to perform 
 any duty of the U. B., said officer shall re- 
 ceive a salary of $21.00 per week and $3.00 
 per day for expenses, also fare to and from 
 the locality, except when said officer is un- 
 der salary, when he shall only be allowed 
 $3.00 per day for expenses, in addition to 
 transportation, providing such bills are item- 
 ized. 
 
 Any officer being compelled to cease his 
 regular employment and not leave his home 
 shall receive his salary onlj'-. 
 
 ARTICLE XV. 
 Fines. 
 
 Section 1. Any officer of the U. B. failing 
 to properly perform the duties of his office 
 may be fined in such a sum as the Executive 
 Council may determine, and may be suspend- 
 ed or expelled, as may seem just to the Exec- 
 utive Council. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any local branch failing to comply 
 with this Constitution and By-Laws may be 
 suspended, expelled or fined in such sum as 
 may be provided for; or in case no provision 
 Is made, in such sum or manner as may seem 
 proper by the Executive Council. 
 
 Sec. 3. Any and all penalties assessed by a 
 local branch against members thereof and 
 not otherwise provided for In this Constitu- 
 tion, shall be reported to the General Presi- 
 dent within twenty-four hours after such 
 penalty is placed against a member, proper 
 
O'cncrdl C<))istitiition. 23 
 
 record to be kept on file at headquarters after 
 such penalty has been submitted to the Gen- 
 eral Executive Council and approved; no 
 penalty to be legal unless approved by the 
 General Executive Council. 
 
 Sec. 4. That any member of the U. B. 
 found working- at the trade on Labor Day be 
 fined $5.00. 
 
 Sec. 5. Any officer, sick committee or local 
 branch who shall be guilty of granting sick 
 or death benefits to members not constitu- 
 tionally entitled to same, shall be fined the 
 sum of $25 in addition to the amount allowed, 
 and unless said fine with the amount allowed 
 be paid to the General Secretary-Treasurer 
 within 30 days said officer, sick committee or 
 local branch shall be suspended. 
 
 Sec. 6. Any local branch failing to comply 
 with Article XI, Section 9, shall be fined the 
 sum of $10.00, and unless said Hne be paid 
 within thirty days after being assessed, shall 
 be declared in bad standing for a period of 
 sixty days. 
 
 Sec. 7. A fine of not less than twenty-five 
 dollars shall be imposed on any member of 
 the Executive Council and General Secretary- 
 Treasurer for negligence of any duty as- 
 signed in any article of this Constitution and 
 By-Law.s. 
 
 ARTICLE XVI. 
 Miscellaneous^. 
 
 Section 1. No local branch can be dissolved 
 as long as there are five dissenting members. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any member visiting a local branch 
 on a traveling card shall be entitled to vote 
 for general officers, provided said niemtaer 
 has not voted in his home branch. Any 
 member found guilty of voting in two or 
 more branches for general officers shall be 
 expelled. 
 
 Sec. 3. No member shall hold two offices 
 in which money accounts are handled. 
 
24 General Constitution. 
 
 See. 4. The U. B. shall furnish local 
 branches with a rittfal for' initiation, etc. 
 
 See. 5. One apprentice shall be allowed in 
 retail shops employing two journeymen and 
 less than twenty. Retail shops employing 
 twenty or more journeymen shall be gov- 
 erned as per factory ratio. Factories employ- 
 ing ten journeymen will be allowed one ap- 
 prentice; twenty journeymen, two appren- 
 tices; thirty, three apprentices; forty, four 
 apprentices; sixty, five apprentices, and in 
 no cable- will' more than five apprentices be al- 
 lowed" to work in any one branch of the 
 trade. Each apprentice shall serve three 
 years, and shall be registered at the head- 
 quarters of the U. B., and every apprentice 
 working in conformity to this law shall be 
 given full opportunity to become proficient 
 in the branch of the trade in which he started 
 his apprenticeship. 
 
 In the harness cutting branch none but 
 competent mechanics in the making of har- 
 ness will be permitted, and shall not be con- 
 strued as apprentices, but journeymen under 
 instructions.. The above to apply in any 
 other cutting branch of the business. 
 
 Piece hands shall not be allowed to work 
 any help of any kln^ (either; apprentices or 
 assistants). 
 
 See. 6. It shall be unlawful for any brother 
 leather worker to enter and take work in any 
 city or town where there is a strike or lock- 
 out prevailing, unless it be with the knowl- 
 edge and consent of the local in said city or 
 town, which consent shall be obtained by 
 two-thirds Vote of members present, and 
 shall be evidenced by resolution of said local 
 under signature and seal of proper officers of 
 said local. The penalty for the violation of 
 this law shall be a fine of fifty ($50.00) dol- 
 lars, which, if not paid, and the brother 
 
General Constitution. 25 
 
 should continue to work, he shall be sus- 
 pended from the U. B. until said fine is paid. 
 Sec. 7. An official publication, kno;wn as 
 the Leather Workers' Journal, shall be pub- 
 lished by the \j. B. and shall appear for dis- 
 tribution by local branches among all mem- 
 bers of the U. B. on or about the first day of 
 each month. The management of this offi- 
 cial jotirnal shall be placed in the hands of 
 the General Secretary-Treasurer, subject to 
 iustrvictions of the General Executive Council. 
 
 Sec. S. A m.ember of one branch of the 
 craft shall not be permitted to accept em- 
 ployment at another branch of the craft un- 
 less it is known or. proven that such member 
 has qualified as a journeyman in serving the 
 general recognized period of apprenticeship 
 <>f such branch of the craft, or it is otherwise 
 c'etermined, upon proper consideration and 
 action of the local branch, where such mem- 
 ber holds membership, that he is qualified 
 as a Journeyman of such branch; and does 
 by reason thereof receive the established rate 
 of wages of the local branch. 
 
 See. 9. All local branches shall affiliate 
 with the American Federation of Labor Cen- 
 tral Bodies in their respective cities, and 
 shall also affiliate with the American Fed- 
 eration of Labor State Federations in their 
 respective states. 
 
 Article xvii. 
 
 Fiscal Year. 
 
 Seotiou 1. The fiscal year of the: Uv B. 
 shall commence on the first day of July and 
 end. on the 30th daj^ of June in each year. 
 
 Sec. 2. The term of all officers shall com- 
 mence October 1st or as soon thereafter as 
 qualified, and continue to the close of their 
 term or until their successors are elected and 
 qualified. 
 
26 General Constitution. 
 
 ARTICLE XVIII. 
 Badges. 
 
 Section 1. The General Secretary-Treasurer 
 of the U. B. shall supply local branches or 
 individual members, upon application, with a 
 badge of tlie design and &?tyle adopted; the 
 member to whom the badge is issued to pay 
 for same and such badge to be his personal 
 property. 
 
 Sec. 2. The General Secretary-Treasurer of 
 the U. B. to furnish such badges at a profit 
 not to exceed 10 per cent. 
 
 ARTICLE XIX. 
 Union Stamp. 
 
 Section 1. The trade stamp, union stamp 
 or label of the U. B. shall be as follows: 
 
 This "Union Stamp" shall be so constructed 
 of steel that a lasting impression can be 
 stamped on leather horse goods made exclu- 
 sively by members of the U. B. Local 
 branches shall pay for their own stamps and 
 same to be furnished by headquarters at 
 cost price. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any f^hop or factory desiring the 
 use of the union stamp or card shall apply 
 to the local branch in the city or town where 
 the shop or factory is located. Should there 
 be no local branch in the city where an ap- 
 plication for stamp or card is received, they 
 shall apply to the nearest local branch for 
 the same. 
 
General Constitution. 27 
 
 The union stamp and card may be granted 
 upon the request of members employed in 
 any municipal, state or government shop, 
 providing that none but U. B. men are em- 
 ployed. 
 
 Sec. 3. In shops where the union stamp 
 and card are in use, the same shall be in 
 charge of the shop steward. Said shop stew- 
 ard to be appointed by the local president. 
 In case the steward leaves the employment 
 of the Arm where he has charge of the stamp 
 and card, he shall immediately transfer said 
 stamp and card to his successor, who shall 
 be appointed temporarily by the local pres- 
 ident. 
 
 At the next regular meeting of the local 
 branch, the president shall appoint officially 
 a steward for the shop, who shall have 
 charge of the stamp and card. 
 
 Sec. 4. All union stamps and cards in use 
 in any shop or factory must remain the prop- 
 erty of the local branch. Said stamp or card 
 to be taken up at any time the local branch 
 so desires. 
 
 Sec. 5. No shop or factory shall be en- 
 titled to the use of the vmion stamp or card 
 of the U. B. unless a signed agreement exists 
 between the local branch and the firm, except 
 as provided for in Article XIX, Section 2, 
 Paragraph 2. 
 
 ARTICLE XX. 
 Committees. 
 
 Section 1. The President shall appoint all 
 committees, unless otherwise ordered by the 
 U. B. 
 
 Sec. 3. The President shall immediately 
 after roll call appoint the following standing 
 committees, unless otherwise provided for. 
 and such other committees as he may deem 
 advisable: 
 
 Committee on Credentials, three members. 
 
 Committee on Laws, five members. 
 
28 General Constitution. 
 
 Committee on Resolutions, fiVe members. 
 
 Committee on President's Report, five mem- 
 bers. 
 
 Committee on Executive Council's, with 
 General Secretary-Treasurer's Report, five 
 members. 
 
 Committee on Mileage, five members. 
 
 Committee ori Press, three " members. 
 
 Committee on Rules, threemembers. 
 
 ARTICLE XXI. 
 Power to Amend. 
 
 Section 1. All laws or parts of laws in con- 
 flict with this are hereby repealed. This to 
 be the only Constitution governing the U. B. 
 
 Sec. 2. Amendments may be made to this 
 Constitution in regular Convention, or any 
 local branch may at any time in the month of 
 May submit such amendments to the general 
 or local constitution as may seem proper to 
 them, said amendments to be submitted to 
 the General President and a copy of same 
 sent to the General Secretary-Treasurer. 
 
 The General Secretary-Treasurer shall pre- 
 sent all amendments, attested to by tlie Gen- 
 eral President, to the Executive Council at 
 each annual meeting. 
 
 The Executive Council shall arrange all 
 amendments so they do not conflict with each 
 other, and where two or-, more amendments 
 are offered which cover the same ground, 
 shall cause all of them to 'harmonize into one, 
 and shall submit them to the jurisdiction at 
 large to be voted upon. If a ma.iority vote 
 of members voting be recorded in favor of 
 any amendment the same shall be declared a 
 law. 
 
 All amendments after being arranged by 
 the Executive Council shall be submitted by 
 the General Secretary-Treasurer to the locals, 
 not later than August 1st, and in such 
 form as will show the old and new law, In 
 
General Const ihUion. 59 
 
 order that the members may vote intelligently 
 on same. 
 
 All local branches' may, not later than the 
 30th of August, call a special iTieeting for the 
 purpose of considering and voting on the 
 amendments, and no other business shall be 
 transacted at said, meeting; all voting shall 
 be by rising vote. 
 
 All amendments receiving the necessary 
 majority vote shall become law on the 15th 
 day of October; the General Secretary- 
 Treasurer shall issue revised Constitutions 
 and have same in the hands of the local Sec- 
 retary-Treasurers .on or before that date. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 1. Resolved, That $4.00 per day sliall con- 
 stitute a minimum wage for all journeymen 
 in all branches of the trade, for a week of 
 not more than 48 hours. 
 
 That $5.00 per day shall constitute a mini- 
 mum wage for head machine operator/^, head 
 cutters and head men in any other depart- 
 ment, for a week of not more than 48 hours. 
 
 2. Re.solved, That we favor: the formation 
 of a woman's auxiliary to the IT. B., to be 
 composed of the female relatives by blood 
 and marriage of all members. 
 
 3. Resolved, That the sum of $10.00 be al- 
 lowed to any pne organizing a local, pro- 
 vided such person is not an executive officer 
 or organizer under pay from headquarters, 
 the fee to be paid to organizer at the time 
 
30 General Constitution. 
 
 the said local pays their first per capita tax 
 to the General Secretary-Treasurer, which 
 per capita tax is due and payable one month 
 after local branch is chartered. 
 
 4. Resolved, That the U. B. indorse all ef- 
 forts tending to the abolition of convict, team 
 and child labor. 
 
 5. Resolved, That the U. B. so change the 
 obligation taken by persons becoming mem- 
 bers as to obligate them as union members 
 to purchase those goods bearing the union 
 label, so far as the same can be done. 
 
 a. Resolved. That the Sixth convention of 
 the U. B. make an earnest appeal to all local 
 officers and members of our organization to 
 carry out the spirit and purpose of Resolu- 
 tion No. 5 of our Constitution; and be it 
 further 
 
 b. Resolved, That all members of the U. B. 
 do all in their power to secure the union 
 label on every article they might purchase 
 and to educate their wives and families to 
 do the same. 
 
 6. Resolved, That all blacking, creasing 
 and rubbing up of harness and saddle parts 
 to be done by leather workers on horse goods; 
 that all gumming and putting together of all 
 harness, the trimming of all gig saddles and 
 parts, the dicing out and finishing all har- 
 ness and saddle parts to be done by journey- 
 men leather workers on horse goods. 
 
 5. Resolved, That this general convention 
 C'jrdemns the system of convict contract labor 
 which places the articles manufactured by 
 convicts in competition with the production 
 of honest labor; and that the locals through- 
 out the United States and Canada are hereby 
 instructed to use all honorable efforts to have 
 convict labor abolished, and that we instruct 
 the General Executive Board to aid and assist 
 in the movement to abolish convict labor. 
 
General Constitution. 31 
 
 8.. Resolved, That each local branch shall 
 allow each delegate elected, whose duty it 
 shall be to attend conventions, a hotel fee of 
 three dollars ($3.00) per day for every day 
 convention is in session, and for one day be- 
 fore convention convenes, and for one day 
 after close of convention. 
 
 9. Resolved, That the U. B., in convention 
 assembled, do indorse and recommend to all 
 its local branches such action as will tend to 
 bring about the initiative and the referendum 
 in our national, state and local governments. 
 
 The Committee on Laws submitted the fol- 
 lowing recommendation to the convention, 
 and recommended that the delegates, as soon 
 as they return home, try and have their 
 locals carry out the suggestion contained 
 therein: 
 
 W^hereas, "\A'e have learned from past ex- 
 perience that in order to conduct our affairs 
 in a more business-like manner, it is neces- 
 sary to carry on our affairs in a manner that 
 they may not become too public, therefore 
 
 Be It Resolved, That each local branch 
 elect an advisory board of three members in 
 local branches of less than seventy-five mem- 
 bers, and five members in larger local 
 branches. 
 
 The advi-ory board shall have supervision 
 over all business of ihe local branch between 
 meetings, and shall exercise their best judg- 
 ment over all matters of importance, they to 
 report to the local branch, however, as soon 
 as any proposition is advanced far enough to 
 acquaint the membership without liindering 
 its progress. 
 
 11. Re.^o'ved, That the lerin of office of 
 a'l execulire officers shall be two years, be- 
 ginning with October. 19"' 2. 
 
 IS. Resolved. That as the new law with 
 regard to the election of general officers 
 
32 General ConsHtution. 
 
 does not become operative until the regular 
 convention in 1912, we therefore recommend 
 that the election of general officers in 1911 
 be held under the old law; be it further 
 
 13. Resolved, That the general executive 
 officers elected in 1911 shall hold office until 
 October 1, 1912, or until their successors are 
 elected and qualified; be it further 
 
 14. Resolved, That the books of the Gen- 
 eral Secreta*ry-Treasurer shall be audited in 
 1911 by an expert accountant, as provided for 
 by this convention. 
 
 15. Resolved, That this Constitution as 
 amended shall be in full force and effect, be- 
 ginning January 1, 1911, unless where other- 
 wise provided. 
 
 IG. Resolved, That this convention go on 
 record as endorsing the principle of co-opera- 
 tion. However, the U. B. shall not engage in 
 co-operative manufacturing. 
 
 17. Resolved, That we stand for the abol- 
 ishing of piece work. 
 
 MOTIONS. 
 
 Moved by Delegate Baker, seconded by 
 Rampenthal, that the General Executive 
 Council be given power to remit all fines 
 and reinstate all members with their old 
 book numbers upon payment of all arrear- 
 ages in dues, when in their judgment they 
 believe it to be the best policy to pursue in 
 the interest of thorough organization. This 
 pertains only with reference to the general 
 demand, March, 1910. 
 
 On motion the General President was em- 
 powered to secure legal advice whenever 
 necessary. 
 
CONSTITUTION 
 
 OF 
 
 LOCAL BRANCHES. 
 
CONSTITUTION. 
 
 Local Branches United Brotherhood 
 
 of Leather Workers on 
 
 Horse Goods. 
 
 ARTICLE I. 
 Title and Objects. 
 
 Section 1. This branch shall be known as 
 
 Local Branch No. , United Brotherhood 
 
 of Leather Workers on Horse Goods. 
 
 Sec. 2. All acts shall be In the name of 
 
 Local Branch No. , United Brotherhood 
 
 of Leather Workers on Horse Goods. 
 
 Sec. 3. The objects of this branch shall be 
 to establish and maintain a fair rate of 
 wages; the encouragement of good work- 
 men; the elevation of its members socially, 
 morally and intellectually; the care of the 
 sick; the burial of deceased members, and 
 closer relationship between its members and 
 their employers, in order that a just and 
 equitable adjustment of all differences may 
 be obtained, and that all may work in har- 
 mony. 
 
 ARTICLE IL 
 
 Officers. 
 
 Section 1. The officers of this local branch 
 shall be a President, Vice President. Record- 
 ing Secretary, Secretary-Treasurer. Marshal. 
 Chaplain. Guard, Local Organizer, Corre- 
 spondent for .Journal, Shop Collector for each 
 shop, and an Executive Board of three 
 members. 
 
36 Constitution of Local Branches. 
 
 ARTICLE III. 
 
 Elections and Installations. 
 
 Section 1. The President, Vice President, 
 Recording Secretary, Secretary-Treasurer, 
 Marshal, Chaplain, Guard, Local. Organizer, 
 Journal Correspondent, and the Executive 
 Board shall be elected by secret ballot; the 
 others shall be appointed as hereinafter pro- 
 vided. 
 
 Sec. 2. All elective officers shall be nom- 
 inated at the first regular meeting in June 
 and December, and shall be elected at the last 
 regular meeting in June and December, or 
 as soon thereafter as possible, and installed 
 the first meeting In July and January, except 
 the office of Secretary-Treasurer, which shall 
 be filled by election at the December elec- 
 tions, for a term of one year. All appointive 
 officers shall be appointed the first meeting 
 in July and January, and installed at the 
 same meeting, or as soon thereafter as pos- 
 sible; and shall hold office six months, or 
 until their successors are elected and in- 
 stalled. 
 
 Sec. 3. Should any office from any cause 
 become vacant, an election shall be entered 
 into at the earliest moment. Installation may 
 be performed at the same meeting. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. 
 
 Duties of Officers. 
 Section 1. It shall be the duty of the 
 President to preside at all meetings, enforce 
 order and strict obedience to the Constitution 
 and By-Laws, countersign all orders on the 
 I'reasurer, appoint all officers and commit- 
 tees, unless otherwise provided for, fill all 
 vacancies not provided for. sign all applica- 
 tions for cards, if applicant is entitled to 
 same; shall satisfy himself that all present 
 are entitled to admission; he shall have a 
 
Consittution oj Local Branches. 37 
 
 vote in the election of General and Local Of- 
 ficers, and for delegates, and on matters sub- 
 mitted for general referendum vote; but on 
 questions of a local nature, he shall only have 
 the deciding vote, no matter how vote Is 
 taken; and shall perform such other duties as 
 may be required of him by the Constitution, 
 By-Laws and the local branch. 
 
 Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Vice 
 President to attend all meetings. In the ab- 
 .sence of the President or in case of his death, 
 resignation or removal from office, he shall 
 preside and perform all duties of the Presi- 
 dent. 
 
 Sec. 3. It sh&ll be the duty of the Record- 
 ing. Secretary to keep a, correct record of the 
 business transacted at each meeting; publish 
 calls for regular and special meetings; notify 
 candidates for admission into the local branch 
 of their election; furnish officers and commit- 
 tees with a copy of all resolutions referred 
 to them; draw all orders on the Treasurer; 
 and perform such other duties as may be re- 
 quired of him by the Constitution, By-Laws 
 and the local branch. 
 
 Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer to keep a true record of all 
 financial transactions between the local 
 branch and its members; the local branch 
 and the U. B., and of any nature what- 
 ever; shall re'ceive and answer all cor- 
 respondence; shall have charge of the seal 
 and all property of the local branch; shall 
 make all remittances to the* General Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer; shall grant all applications 
 for cards, if the applicant is entitled to re- 
 ceive them; shall notify persons about to be- 
 come in arrears, stating penalty; shall, at the 
 expiration of each quarter, make a report in 
 detail, showing the condition of the local, 
 amount of money received and on hand, the 
 standing of all members, the number sus- 
 pended, expelled or transferred, and the num- 
 
38 Constitution of Local Branches. 
 
 ber of cards issued; he shall keep a book 
 containing' a true record and description of 
 all applicants disqualified for membership, and 
 shall within twenty-four hours following re- 
 jection of an applicant forward all facts he 
 may have in the case to the General Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer; he shall remit in full not 
 later than the 15th of the month, to the Gen- 
 eral Secretary-Treasurer, all percentages due 
 the U. B. for the preceding month; it shall be 
 the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer of local 
 branches of the U. B. upon sending money for 
 any purpose whatsoever to a sister local to 
 notify the Recording Secretary of the receiv- 
 ing local, the amount of money sent and for 
 what purpose; and shall perform such other 
 duties as the Constitution, By-Laws and local 
 branch may require. He shall furnish a good 
 and sufficient surety company bond of not 
 less than $250.00 for the faithful performance 
 of his duties. (The U. B. and the local branch 
 each to pay half of the premium of this 
 surety bond.) 
 
 Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Marshal 
 to be at the place of meeting promptly and 
 have the hall properly prepared for the com- 
 fort and convenience of members. He shall 
 take up the password; shall prepare ballots; 
 shall introduce all candidates for initiation; 
 shall assist at the initiation as provided for 
 in the ritual, and perform such other duties 
 as the Constitution, By-Laws and the local 
 branch may reauire. 
 
 Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the Chaplain 
 to assist at initiation, as provided for in the 
 ritual, and perform such other duties as the 
 Constitution, By-Laws and local branch may 
 require. 
 
 Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Guard 
 to have charge of the door. He shall admit 
 no one without the password, unless ordered 
 by the President so to do; he shall allow no 
 
Constitution of Local Branches. 39 
 
 one to retire without orders from the Presi- 
 dent; and shall perform such other duties as 
 the Constitution. By-Laws and the local 
 branch may require. 
 
 Sec. S. It shall be the duty of the Local 
 Organizer to secure, as near as possible, the 
 number of men at work in the citj% both 
 U. B. and non-U. B., and the names of the 
 houses employing- the largest number. He 
 shall keep a record of the number of 
 men asked to join during the month, and 
 their chief reasons for not doing so. He 
 shall secure the names and addresses of lead- 
 ing men in adjoining towns and cities 
 where no branch exists, and report same to 
 the General President. He shall each 
 month, on blank.s furnished by the U. B., 
 make a report to the General President. He 
 shall, to assist him in his work, appoint one 
 deputy organizer in each shop, whose duty 
 it shall be to supply him with all information 
 obtainable, and to assist him in every manner 
 possible. He shall perform such other duties 
 as the Constitution, By-Laws and the local 
 branch may require. 
 
 Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Local 
 Executive Board to have supervision over the 
 affairs of the local branch. Shall examine 
 and approve all accounts against the local 
 branch, before payment is made. Shall keep 
 an account of all moneys received and ex- 
 pended in totals. 
 
 Shall examine all the books and records of 
 the Secretary-Treasurer at the end of each 
 quarter and report to the General Secretary- 
 Treasurer within thirty days thereafter the 
 condition of the funds and accounts, the num- 
 ber of members in good standing, number ini- 
 tiated, expelled or suspended, admitted or 
 withdrawn by transfer or retiring card for 
 each month, together with such other infor- 
 mation as the General Secretary-Treasurer 
 may deem necessary^ 
 
40 Constitution of Local Branches. 
 
 A majority of the Executive Board must be 
 present at tlie examination of accounts, and 
 r.o member of the board shall attach his sig- 
 nature to a report unless such member shall 
 have personally participated in such exam- 
 ination. Should inaccuracies appear in the 
 report of Executive Board, the General Presi- 
 dent shall order an investigation, and in 
 event of willful falsification by said board, 
 shall suspend such board from office, together 
 with the 'delinquent financial officer, and im- 
 pose upon them a fine of $10.00 each. 
 
 In the event of the suspension of an Exec- 
 utive Board an election of their successors 
 shall be held within one month from the date 
 of such suspension. Expense of examination 
 of books and records shall be borne entirely 
 by local branches. Local branches failing to 
 report to the General Secretary-Treasurer as 
 required by this section shall be fined $10.00. 
 Sfc. 10. It shall be the duty of the Shop 
 Collector to visit each member in the shop 
 every week and collect dues, giving in return 
 therefor a stamp, which will be supplied by 
 the Local Secretary-Treasurer. They shall, 
 at every regular meeting, turn over to the 
 Local Secretary-Treasurer all money so col- 
 lected, with a concise statement of the 
 amount collected from each member, with 
 date, and shall accept receipt from the Local 
 Secretary-Treasurer therefor. They shall per- 
 form such other duties as the Constitution, 
 By-Laws and the local branch may require. 
 
 Sec. 11. It shall be the duty of the Journal 
 Correspondent to communicate each month 
 with the editor of the Journal, and furnish 
 all news of importance pertaining to his local. 
 Sec. 12. It shall be the duty of all officers 
 to turn over to the proper officers all books, 
 papers, moneys or other property in their 
 possession, belonging to the local branch or 
 U. B. at the expiration of their term of office, 
 or at any time when called upon to do so. 
 
Constitution of Local Branches. 41 
 
 Sec. 13. For failure to faithfully perform 
 any of the duties as provided for in Article 
 IV, officers may have charges preferred 
 against them, and upon conviction thereof 
 may be fined, suspended or expelled, as the 
 local branch may determine. 
 
 ARTICLE V. 
 
 Membership. 
 
 Section 1. Any journeyman working at any 
 branch of the trade shall be eligible to mem- 
 bership. 
 
 Apprentices shall be eligible to member- 
 ship after having worked at the trade for a 
 period of one year. The initiation fee shall 
 be one dollar ($1.00), and the dues twenty- 
 five cents (25c) per month. They will be al- 
 lowed a voice, but not a vote, except on ques- 
 tions of strikes, when they will be entitled 
 to a voice and a vote. If called out on a 
 strike they shall receive three dollars ($3.00) 
 per week, but shall receive no sick or death 
 benefits. After becoming competent as jour- 
 neymen they shall be entitled to all priv- 
 ileges and benefits without further Initiation 
 fee. 
 
 Sec. 2. Application ^for membership must 
 be in writing, on blanks furnished by the 
 Local Secretary-Treasurer, and must state the 
 applicant's full name and address, occupation 
 and age. An initiation fee of not less than 
 two dollars shall be required from all appli- 
 cants. 
 
 Sec. 3. All applications shall be referred to 
 an Investigating Committee, who shall report 
 thereon at next meeting, when a rising vote 
 shall be taken, and if elected the applicant 
 may be admitted at the same meeting. A 
 majority of all votes shall be necessary 
 to elect. If the applicant shall be declared 
 
42 Constitution of Local Branches. 
 
 rejected, the fees accompanying his applica- 
 tion shall be returned to him. and he shall not 
 te eligible to apply for membership again for 
 the space of two months. Should an accepted 
 applicant fail to appear for initiation for the 
 space of two months after his election he 
 shall forfeit his initiation fee, and any fur- 
 ther action taken shall be the same as in the 
 case of a new applicant. 
 
 Sec. 4. When applicant has come from a 
 city where a local branch of the U. B. exists, 
 it shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treas- 
 urer of the local branch receiving the applica- 
 tion to write the citj- from which the appli- 
 cant comes and make inquiries regarding the 
 actions and reasons why he did not join the 
 U. B. before action is taken on said applica- 
 tion. 
 
 Sec. 5. Any person of the trade coming 
 from any local branch and accepting a posi- 
 tion where any other local branch exists shall 
 at once deposit his book with the Local Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer, who shall sign the receiving 
 transfer and at once notify the Local Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer where the brother last be- 
 longed, on private mailing cards furnished by 
 headquarters. All members are required to 
 pay dues they may owe to receiving Secre- 
 tary-Treasurer, such dues to become the prop- 
 erty of receiving local. 
 
 Sec. 6. That no member of the U. B., hav- 
 ing a permanent position, be allowed' to work 
 at any other trade without becoming a mem- 
 ber of the union of that> trade, if such exists 
 in his locality. 
 
 Sec. 7. Any leather worker, coming from 
 a city or town where a local exists, and hav- 
 ing failed to become a member of said local, 
 the local to which he presents his application 
 for membership shall have the power to make 
 the initiation fee of such applicant five dol- 
 lars ($5.00) more than their regular initiation. 
 
Constitution of Local Branches. 43 
 
 ARTICLE VI. 
 Dues. 
 
 Section 1. The regular dues of each mem- 
 ber shall be thirty cents per week. Said dues 
 include subscription to the official journal. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any member failing to pay dues for 
 a period of four (4) weeks shall be in bad 
 standing and forfeit all claims to any and all 
 benefits provided for by the U. B. or local 
 branches, and if unpaid at the end of eight 
 (8) weeks, will be suspended. 
 
 Sec. 3. Any member having been in bad 
 standing, shall not be entitled to benefits im- 
 mediately upon payment of arrears, but shall 
 be debarred from sick and death benefits for 
 ? period of three months. 
 
 Sec. 4. Any member suspended from any 
 local brancli on or after August 2, 1901, can be 
 reinstated upon payment of $3.00 in addition 
 to the regular initiation fee of the local to 
 which he makes application for membership; 
 but he shall forfeit all previous rights and 
 benefits and be considered as a new initiate; 
 but this shall not mean invalidation of any 
 fines or moneys he may owe. 
 
 Sec. 5. "When a member is suspended the 
 second time, he shall pay an initiation fee of 
 not less than $10.00.*, The amount of fines 
 shall be added, same to be paid as the local 
 branch may direct. 
 
 ARTICLE VII. 
 Trials. 
 Section 1. Any officer or member feeling 
 aggrieved by any action of any member or 
 officer of a local branch, may prepare a 
 charge in writing, giving a plain statement of 
 the facts, the name and addresses of wit- 
 nesses, if any present, and give the same to 
 the President, who shall read the same to the 
 local branch and put the question: "Is the 
 charge of a nature cognizable by the local?" 
 
44 Constitution of Loral Branches. 
 
 If decided in the affirmative, the President 
 shall appoint a committee of five to try the 
 case. 
 
 Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of said com- 
 mittee to meet within five days from the date 
 cf appointment, summon witnesses and give 
 the accused not less than three days' notice of 
 time, place and object of meeting. They shall 
 then hear the testimony and reduce the sub- 
 stance to writing and report to the local 
 1: ranch. The accused shall have full opportu- 
 nity for defense. If necessary, the committee 
 may adjourn from time to time until the trial 
 ir concluded. If the committee report the 
 charge sustained, and the local branch adopts 
 the report, the President shall put the judg- 
 ment in execution. The committee shall, in 
 their report, pronounce judgment and state 
 the penalty. All penalties invoked against 
 members, as per action of local or trial com- 
 mittee, must be reported to General President 
 and must receive approval of Executive Coun- 
 cil before such penalty can legally be col- 
 lected. There shall be no remission of the 
 penalty, except by majority vote of the local 
 branch. Such action must receive approval of 
 the General Executive Council before such 
 penalty can be legally removed. In case the 
 accused or accuser is not satisfied with the 
 judgment, appeal may be taken as provided 
 in Article VII, Section 3, General Constitu- 
 tion. 
 
 ARTICLE VIII. 
 
 Sick Committee. 
 Section 1. Local branches shall have the 
 right to arrange the visiting committee as 
 may best suit their convenience, but in no 
 case shall the sick committee consist of less 
 than three members, whose duty it shall be 
 to visit the sick at least once in each week, 
 no two members to visit at the same time. 
 The chairman shall attend to and pay all sick 
 
Constitution of Local Branches 45 
 
 benefits. He shall draw on the Treasurer for 
 the amounts needed, giving his receipt there- 
 for, and shall take ' a receipt from persons 
 receiving benefits. Shall at the end of each 
 month make a written report to the local 
 branch of all benefits paid and to w^hom. 
 
 Sec. 2. The sick comnaittee shall have pos- 
 itive proof before sick benefits are allowed. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. 
 
 Special Meetings. 
 
 Section 1. The President shall be empow- 
 ered to call a special meeting whenever in 
 his judgment it is necessary. 
 
 Sec. 2. Upon the written application of five 
 members, stating object of special ineeting, 
 the President shall be required to call a spe- 
 cial meeting. 
 
 ARTICLE X. 
 
 3Iiscellaneous. 
 
 Section 1. It shall be the duty of all mem- 
 bers to be present at all meetings of their 
 locals; to pay strict attention to all its trans- 
 actions; to faithfully perform any duty as- 
 signed them by the laws or bj'- the local 
 branch; to secure work for a member of the 
 U. B. in preference to one who is not a mem- 
 ber; to be ever watchful whereby a member 
 may be benefited; to report all matters to the 
 President which may conie under his obser- 
 vation that the executive head of the local 
 branch ought to know; to lose no opportunity 
 to teach the principles of the U. B. to persons 
 who show themselves ignorant of the same, 
 and not to work in any shop within the juris- 
 diction of the local branch for less wages 
 than may be determined upon by the local. 
 
 Sec. 2. The President shall, upon assuming 
 the chair, appoint one person in each shop to 
 be shop collector for that shop, said shop col- 
 lector to be held responsible for all stamps 
 
46 Constitution of Local Branches. 
 
 a,nd moneys held by him and belonging to the 
 local. 
 
 Sec. 3. No member shall be elected or ap- 
 pointed to any office until he has been a mem- 
 ber for three months, except in cases where 
 local branches have not been in existence that 
 length of time. 
 
 See. 4. Any officer or member found guilty 
 of being derelict in' his duty shall suffer such 
 penalty as may be provided for, or as the 
 local branch, in its wisdom and justice, may 
 direct, subject to an appeal, as provided in 
 Article VII, Section 2, General Constitution. 
 
 Sec. 5. The General Secretary-Treasurer 
 will furnish all locals with blank weekly re- 
 port sheets; same to be used by the shop col- 
 lector in making out his weekly report. 
 
 Sec. 6. When a person makes application 
 for membership in any local branch, that the 
 Secretary be required to state what line of 
 business applicant is engaged in. Due books 
 should have for saddle-maker, S. M. ; for 
 harness-maker, H. M.; for collar-maker. C. 
 M.; for gig saddle-maker, G. M. ; for machine 
 operator, M. O. ; for cutter, Ctr. ; for horse 
 boot-maker, B. M., in addition to numbers and 
 names. 
 
 Sec. 7. Team worK is not to be con.strued 
 to mean stitchers and finishers. 
 
 Sec. 8. All laws or part of laws in conflict 
 with the General or Local Constitution are 
 hereby repealed. 
 
 ARTICLE XI. 
 
 Amendments. 
 Section 1. Local branches shall have power 
 to frame such By-Laws as may best suit their 
 convenience, provided such By-Laws in no 
 wise conflict with the Constitution of the 
 U. B. or local branches. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Page 
 Preamble 2 
 
 Cou8titution — General. 
 
 Apprentices 2} 
 
 Benefits IS 
 
 Sick 19 
 
 Death 19 
 
 Badges 26 
 
 Cards 13 
 
 Committees 27 
 
 Conventions 'i 
 
 Basis of Representation 4 
 
 Railroad Rates, etc 4 
 
 Dissolution of Branch 23 
 
 Dues 20 
 
 Executive Council 4 
 
 Fiscal Year 2:, 
 
 Fines 22 
 
 Membership — Who Shall Compose 3 
 
 Miscellaneous 23 
 
 Officers ;"> 
 
 Duties ol" Ti 
 
 Nomination and Election of 10 
 
 Organization 13 
 
 Power to Amend 2 8 
 
 Revenues, Property, etc 15 
 
 Resolutions 29 
 
 Salaries 21 
 
 Strikes 16 
 
 Strike Benefits 16 
 
 Title and^ Objects 3 
 
 Union Stamp 26 
 
 Vacancies. 11 
 
 Constitution— Local Branclies. 
 
 Amendments 4 6 
 
 Dues 4 3 
 
 Duties of Officers 36 
 
48 Inde.i\ 
 
 Elections and Installations 36 
 
 Membership 41 
 
 Those Eligible 41 
 
 Initiation Fee 41 
 
 Investigating Committee 41 
 
 Miscellaneous ^ 45 
 
 Officers 35 
 
 Sick Committee 44 
 
 Shop Collector. . 40 
 
 Special Meetings 45 
 
 Title and Objects 35 
 
 Trials, Offenses, etc 43 
 
 Vacancies 3 6 
 
■ w< ■'^ 
 
t 
 
 3 
 
 ENCOURAGE THE DE- 
 
 MAND FOR OUR 
 
 LABEL 
 
 And at the same 
 
 time PATRONIZE the 
 
 < ■.•'■'' ' ' . ■ ■ , 
 
 Label of All Other Union.^ 
 
 ^^ 
 
 " 'i ■ , '- U 
 
U.C. BERKELEY LIBR, 
 
 CD^b^377t