Perry R. Long
International Charter President
1919 - 1921

Mr. Long's own club in Philadelphia called the initial conference of twenty representatives of the existing eight Craftsmen's clubs to meet in Philadelphia on September 13 and 14, 1919. At the close of the two day session, the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen was organized and Mr. Long was elected as president.

The preamble to the original constitution read: "With a view to developing a co-operative spirit, friendship, and mutual assistance among the Clubs of Printing House Craftsmen, and for the purpose of improving the industry and exchanging information and assisting each other, the authorized delegates of the Clubs of Printing House Craftsmen do hereby organize themselves into an International Association."

During his two years as president, Perry Long set such a great example of devotion to his work that it became contagious and resulted in a campaign of organization work that brought about the formation of sixteen new clubs between the first and second conventions: St. Louis, Harrisburg, Rochester, Toledo, Scranton, Detroit, Toronto, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Grand Rapids, Albany, Des Moines, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Richmond, and Omaha. The Cincinnati Club was reorganized and received its charter from the International Association at the second convention.

1919 - 1921 Association Highlights

• A constitution and by-laws were adopted.
• Montreal's original charter, dated January 12, 1920, was the first club organized under International influence.
• Buffalo was chartered January 20, 1920.
• A decision was made on January 25, 1920 to issue a monthly bulletin for the purpose of keeping the affiliated clubs informed of matters relating to the International Association and to furnish a medium of news exchange between clubs. This official publication was issued as the International Bulletin.
• The Newark Club, organized May 25, 1920, with 80 charter members, was the baby club at the close of the first official year.

1st Annual Convention - Washington, D.C. - 1920

• The first annual convention was held August 21 and 22, 1920.
• All International officers were re-elected for a second term.
• An education committee was appointed to co-ordinate the educational work of the various clubs and to encourage greater efforts for technical research.
• An amendment to the constitution was adopted, "In the furtherance of its educational work, it shall be the policy of this Association to hold at each of the annual conventions a comprehensive exhibit of the machinery, appliances, and supplies used in the graphic arts."
• The per capita tax, originally fixed at 50 cents per member, was increased to one dollar.
• President Warren G. Harding, then president of the United States, was a practical printer--and proud of it. He was invited to become an honorary life member of the Richmond Club, and promptly accepted the honor.