Masonry Magazine December 2000 Page. 11
Masonry Industry
By George Miller
I am sure you would have been hard pressed to find mention in the New York Times, or any other paper nationwide, a notice of great significance to the masonry industry, but on August 27, 1950 the first convention of a new National Mason Contractors Association convened at the Grand Hotel, on Mackinac Island, Michigan. This newly formed alliance of mason contractors would continue on to effect how masonry is constructed in the United States.
Fifty years ago the need for a national contractor organization was pressing. The Korean War brought many new governmental regulations, competition among mason contractors was severe, the training of craftsmen was lagging and promotion of the industry was insignificant. It was agreed that with all these issues and many more facing the industry, local masonry groups alone could not solve these matters. Mason contractors needed the full strength of a national organization to carry their voice.
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3) Marshall Harrison is about to cut the ribbon officially opening the first MCAA Show at the Palmer House in 1952. From left to right are: William Picco, Tom Donnell, President, Local #21 Michael Busa, Marshall Harrison, Al Celand, 1st V.P., Bricklayers Union and Harry Cohen.
4) Apprentices compete at the national apprenticeship competition held in conjunction with the AFL-CIO show.
5) The first material handling show at the Sheraton Park Hotel has one of the first Rough Terrain Forklifts in action.