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For more than 113 years Summit City Branch No. 116 has been involved in the development and operations of the Indiana State Association of Letter Carriers. And, even though it is not known completely how big of a part Branch No. 116 had in the creation of the ISALC, it is known that it held the second State Convention in 1900.
For instance, did you know that, on January 2, 1897 the president of Summit City Branch No. 116 instructed the branch secretary to write to state branches to get their opinion to the advisability of forming a state organization?
Then on February 6, 1897 "the secretary made a report as to the information received in the matter of state organization. No definitive action was taken.”
During the March 3, 1897 meeting the following instruction was recorded:
“The matter of sending a delegate to San Francisco was passed that the secretary be instructed to write other branches in the state and ascertain whether they would give proxy and financial support to Fort Wayne delegate.”
Any follow up to that request was not noted. However, the branch did pass a motion at the April 3, 1897 meeting:
“That Mehl be send(sic) as delegate to San Francisco convention in September. (Amendment) The delegate pay his own R.R. fare and the branch to pay other expenses.”
It wasn’t until the following year that Fort Wayne began to push harder for a state association.
January 1, 1898 minutes read:
“Stahl made some remarks on state organization and proxies. A motion was passed that it is the sense of this branch that the state be organized to work in connection with the national association.”
Nothing else was mentioned in the minutes as to what happened to Brother Stahl’s remarks. Then during the October 1, 1898 meeting the following was recorded:
“State organization and revisions of local by-laws received some attention, but no definitive action was taken.”
During the February 4, 1899 meeting a motion by Banks that “secretary be instructed to notify national secretary that Branch 116 is opposed to the new proposed 8 hour law.” Also, “Motion that the state organization be left to Pipenbrink.”
The national convention was held in Scranton, Pa, September, 1899 and Summit City Branch No. 116 received its charter in March of 1899. That is eight years after it was “officially” chartered (January 7, 1891).
At the April 1, 1899 branch meeting it was moved and seconded that the proposed constitution for state association be read, and it was moved and seconded that a committee be appointed to consider.
Something many members today don’t understand is that the organization of the NALC in its early stages was regarded as a secret society of sorts. The minutes from the May 6, 1899 meeting bear this out.
“Meeting was called to order by Pres. Richter at 8 o’clock. After roll call the minutes of the previous regular meeting were read and approved as read. By motion Bourie was admitted and accepted as a member without again taking the obligation. The Pres. explained to Bourie the secret work of the Branch.”
In the late 1890's the members would meet to decide whether or not they would wear hats or helmets. Apparently back then it was a very big deal. At one point the branch took a five minute break to look at the head wear they would be voting on later. The minutes go on to read:
“Manuel was admitted and instructed in the secret work of the branch. A motion was passed that we take a secret ballot as to whether hats or helmets are desired.”
The helmets won and carriers were required to buy new helmets to wear while delivering the mail.
Once the hat decision was made the branch turned its attention to the first convention of the ISALC.
“A letter from brother Millhouse read stating that we were entitled to three delegates. A motion was passed that Branch 116 send three delegates to the Indianapolis Convention on May 30 – 99.
“The following were nominated as candidates: John Vorderwork, Wm G. Stahl, A.K. Mehl, Geo. D. Pipenbrink, E.E. Banks and H.A. Zwahlen.” Stahl, Mehl, and Banks were declared elected. A motion was then passed to declare the delegates elected unanimously. During the early years it was common practice to hold a vote and then declare the decision a unanimous one after the outcome was announced.
And there is more on the Branch’s activities at the first convention.
“A motion was passed that we instruct the delegates elect to use every honorable means to secure the next state convention.”
The first convention was one that saw discussion concerning pension laws.
“By motion that they were instructed to oppose the passage of any pension law which required a deduction from the letter carriers salary to pension individual carriers.”
As a side note the plight of PTFs was discussed at this meeting.
“The duties, trials and tribulations of the substitutes was thoroughly discussed but no definite action was taken although many remedies were suggested.”
The bill for the three delegate expenses of $28 at the first convention was ordered drawn on the treasury. As well it was moved and seconded that the secretary attempt to collect the state per capita tax of $0.25 from the 26 members.
Summit City Branch No. 116 did indeed host the next convention of the ISALC. It was Feburary 22, 1900.
Membership in the state association during its early stages was apparently not a requirement. The members of Branch 116 found this out when they pressed for a commitment from the other state branches.
December 2, 1899: “Committee on arrangements for state convention reported that they had corresponded with different associations in regard to the number of delegates who would attend the convention. Also urging them to appoint delegates to the state convention and to get into line and join the state organization.”
Fort Wayne has gone on to lead the ISALC every chance it has gotten, and has provided officers at every level from president to executive board to director of education. And, from that first offering of hosting the annual convention the branch has gone on to hold 12 more which places second only to Indianapolis.
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