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!IJBecause of the fact that Joplin has a strong organization of labor unions it will in the near future have a modern Labor Temple costing not less than $40,000.Steps were taken on May 19, 1911,to make this dream a reulity and the Joplin Labor Temple Association was formed. The following were the officers chosen at that meeting:Officers and Directors.President, Jesse N. Phillips, barber; vice president, H. Monteith, carpenter; corresponding and financial secretary, W. C. Bauer, brewery worker; recording secretary, Jay Pro-thero, musician; treasurer, Charles A. Patterson, cigar maker; sergeant at arms, R. L. Brough, painter. The directors are J. E. Snido, carpenter; C. W. Blundell, painter; Jes.se N. Phillips, barber; W. C. Bauer, brewery worker; Charles W. Fear, printer; Jay Prothero, musician; Charles A. Patterson, cigar maker.While no definite plans have been decided upon regarding the temple, it probably will be a four-story structure. On the fourth floor will be the auditorium, which will be usedrfor large meetings and dances. The third floor will be divided off into lodge halls, the second will be used by the different local labor organizations, while store rooms will be rented to business concerns on the first floor. There will be no intoxicating liquors sold or allowed in the temple.The Joplin Temple Association will go over the plans of the labor temples of Kansas City, Seattle, Washington, D. C., Los Angeles and Toronto, Canada, where they hope to pick up the best ideas from these structures to put into the Joplin Labor Temple.In Seattle, organized labor built a temple three stories high and upon its completion found it to be inadequate to its needs and immediately added another story. This enterprise is paying a 6 per cent interest on the investment and the rents of the various organizations making use of this building have been materially reduced.San Francisco also has a Labor Temple of its own which is a profitable investment.Kansas City has completed a LaborTemple. In this latter city they have been trying for some twelve years to build a temple. They have a building that is a credit to the movement. There is no reason why the members of the movement should not make an effort in every city and town where unions are in sufficient number to erect for themselves a place where all members of the various crafts might find a common meeting place. It not only advances the best interests of the movement as a whole, but gives the individual members a stimulus in their efforts to further build up the movement. In every city where a home has been erected for organized labor, it is found that it is more effective than in places where organizations are scattered throughout the various parts of the city. So far as the investment is concerned, it is indeed a profitable one to all organizations participating.In the temples of labor which have been erected we find reading rooms where are to be found practically all of the labor press, both local and international. a laree number of ourUiCIIiUtUS La. Kinsame. Efforts have been expended along the lines of education and in the reading rooms of the few temples which are now being conducted it is found that much attention is being paid by the members to the current literature of the cause. It is also true that where a common meeting place is provided there are always found the active members of the movement and it necessarily follows that discussions are entered into beneficial to-the movement, as a result of the mingling and commingling of the different locals. If it were possible to erect buildings of this character in fifty or sixty of our cities in the coming year, a notable increase in membership and efficiency would be noted, and it ought to be at once taken up and discussed whereverthere are sufficient resources to establish a temple.The acquisition of property by thelabor organizations in the shape of astructure dedicated to the use of themovement would not only be an object of pride, but give to the owners a firmer foothold and higher standing in the community.
Newspaper Details
Joplin Morning Tribune
Joplin, Missouri, US
Sun, Mar 10, 1912
Page 56
Full Page
Clipped by
Joplin P.
MO, USA 31 May 2023
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