MAY, 1907

Editorial.

State Rights.

The Right to Govern.

HTainted News/t

Labor Organizations Are Right.

The Story of a Labor Leader. I I RECIPROCITYI BUY UNION STAMP SliOES-­ TilE BEST MADE .

BUY SHOES MADE WITH THE U ' 10:\ STAMP. A guarantee of good wage conditions a nd well treated shoe workers. No blgher In cost than shoes wIthout the L'n ion Stamp. INSIST upon having Union Stamp Shoes. If your dealer cannot snpply you, write BOOT AND SHOE WORKERS' UNION 246 Summer Street, BOSTON, MASS.

There's a Direct Connection

BETWEEN NOTICE YOUR POCKETBOOK AND Those advertisers who patron­ ize us should receive our pa­ Bossert Boxes To get down to figures, th~re'. a tronage in return. saving in labor over cast iron boxes of over five cents a hole on every out­ let put in a Bossert Box. T hat means a reduction in your estimate figures of about $1.20 for every dozen boxes used. Bossert Boxes have heremetica1ly sealed outlets, the plugs of which can be removed with one blow of a hammer. There remains a hole as smooth and round as a steel die can cut it. You can figure still closer because you need allow nothin~ for breakage. Being made of drawn steel, Bossert Boxes stand the ham­ mering, the straining of pipes and the settling of buildings without a crack. It your co mpetitor uses Bossert Boxes, yon must, to meet his figures. If he does not,. you can obtain a big advantage by their use. Write for detailed description. BOBSert Electric Construction Co" Utica, If. y,

Stnndard The BRYANT ELECTRIC CO.

Screw Gloss Manufacturers of Insulntors With Pa.tent Drip Petticoa.t. for fvery Purpose Electrical Any Teat Shows They're Beat mf HfMINGIlAY GLASS CO. Supplies Offlcez Coviarto., ley. Established tus. Factory: Muacl.. I••. BRIDBEPORT, CONN. CHICAGO, ILL. THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 1 2 TIm ELECTIUCAL WOHEI

Benjamin Wireless Clusters and Lighting Specialties

Satisfy Every Write/or Demand 0/ Illustrated Electrical CataIod, Illumination R-l1.

CAT. No. F-41 Benjamin Electric Manufacturing Co. New York Chicago San rrancisco

When Ordering CARBO·NS BRUSHES OR BATTERIES Specify COLUMBIA

The KIND you KNOW yon:can DEPEND upon

NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY, CLEVELAND, o. TABLE OF CONTENTS. ."

A Forcible Address ...... 25 Labor Organizations are Right. . . . . 6 An<"ent oratory ...... 24 No Bar-room Meetings ...... , .... 19 Arbitration ...... 27 None of Your Business ...... 32 Correspondence ...... 44-58 Non-union Men a Menace ...... 32 Deceased Members ...... 22 Notices ...... 20 Pacific District Council NO.1 ...... 26 Editorial- Pat Rooney on Trouble ...... 33 State Rights ...... 13 Reform Irresistible ...... 30 The Right to Govern ...... 15 Scenes from the Old Curiosity Shop 38 Tainted News ...... 16 Strike Notice ...... 21 Employers' Liability Law and the The Farmers and the Labor Unions 36 Courts ...... 29 The Featherstone Mystery ...... 11 Gray's Elegy ...... 34 The Object of Organization ... , .... 23 How is Your Back-Bone ...... 42 The Prevention of Tuberculosis .... 11 How They Reason ...... 43 The Story of a Labor Leader ...... 8 Industrial Research ...... 28 Wave of Trade Unionism Unques- Information Notices ...... 21 tionably Coming ...... 32 . Jesus Christ, Union Carpenter ..... 10 When Labor is Organized ...... 31

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS.

Benjamin Electric Mfg. Co. Hart Mltg. Co...... • 63 Besseltric Lighter Co...... 63 Hemingray Glass Co., The .... 2d Cover Blake Signal & Mfg. Co. . ... {th Cover Klein & Sons, Mathias...... { Blakeslee Forging Co., The ...... 63 Larned Carter & Co...... 1 Boot & Shoe Workers Union .• 2d Cover Michigan State Telephone Co...... { Bossert Electric Construction McLennan & Co., K ...... 4th Cover Co...•••..••...... •...... 2d Cover National Carbon Co...... S Bryant Electric Co...... Zd COTer North Bros. Mfg. Co...... U Chicago Glove & Mitten Co., The.. 62 Reidy, John :r...... {th Cover Detroit Leather Specialty Co. 3d Cover Stephens, Wilmot ...... • • . . . 4

Eastern Carbon Works...... { Yost Electric Mf~. Co.••..•• {th Cover Hansen, O. C. Mfg. Co...... 6{ 4 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER CAUTION fastern High-6rade Wet and Dry Batteries and We announce for the protection of ' our cU!;ltomers that all small tools, At I ant i t Dry Batteries climbers, etc., of our manufacture are stamped with our firm name thus: Eastern Battery Connectors M. KLEIN C& SONS. There are tools on the market EASTERN CARBON WORKS stamped "Klein's Pattern," and a CA~BON PLACE number of climbers have been sent to JE~SEY CITY, N. J. us in a defective condition which we have been asked to replace. Evi­ LINEMEN'S CLIMDEUS Belt in the dently the owners were under the im­ World pression that they were made by us. Purchasers wanting genuine Klein goods are cautioned to see that the full , name M. KLEIN C& SONS is stamped I on them. None others are genuine. Manufllctured by WILMOT STfPHJ:NS OFFIClI: AND FACTORY, 16 MITCHELL AVENUE BINOHAnPTON, N. Y.

Mathias Klein Sons When Writing Advertisers Please Mention & THE ELECTRICAL WORKER, The Michigan State A New Departure! Telephone Company ft2 Has over 24,000 Subscribers in Detroit connected by means of Good Commer­ cial Toll Lines, with a large and growing telephone exchange system in eve r y City WEAR THl! 1. B. E. W. and Village in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas Cuff Buttons Embracing in all about 104,000 Stations aOLID GOLD, (PER PAIR), .2.00 ROLLED GOLD, (PER PAIR), .1.50 We are growing constantly at the rate of • 1,000 Stations per Month Send in your order now, while the sup­ ply lasts. All orders must be accompa­ And every day extending our toll nied by the necessa.ry amount of cash. service facilities

ADDRESS So bear in mind that through our Sys tem you can reach Everyone, PETER W. COLLINS Any Place, Any Time Grand Secretary ( Piecik: Buildin2" Sprin2iidd, 111. MicbiiZln StZlte Telephone CompZlDY THE ELECTRICAL

OFFICIAL JOURNAL

of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

OWNED AND PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS

Edited by PETED W. COLLINS, Grand Secrctnry General Offices: Pierik DuildinS 1 Sprinflleld, 01. Entered as Second-Class Matter, June 6, 1906, at the Post Office at Springfield, Ill., under the Act of Conllre65 of March 3, 18,P. , I

THE ELECTRICAL WORKER OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS Entered at the Post Oflce at SDml1leld, m., AccertiIl to Act of Cauma as SecOid-Clm lattlr

Sia&l. Copie•• 10 c..to Vol. VII. No. 6 SPRINGFIELD, ILL, MAY, Igo7 $1 per :rear in ad.... ".

LABOR ORGANIZATIONS ARE RIGHT. GREAT deal is being written on in the same that so many employers of this subject that aims to place the cheap labor use it. labor organizations In a wrong The right to sell any product is on the position. The purpose is to bring same basis exactly. If the product is en­ discredit upon the movement and discour­ tirely in the hands of any certain set of age its work. The disadvantages of labor men they can fix a price and get it. The organiv.atiolJ.s to the employers of labor purchaser has a perfect right to make a who are disposed to grind their'workmen contract, but knows he must make it on are apparent, for, in their combination, the other felJow's terms. The right of they can resent injustice that would have the purchaser is a pleasant fiction and to be borne if each one clung to his "free­ holds only so far as it applies to his not dom and individuality" that appears to having to make the purchase. If he does be so highly prized on the part of the purchase, his side of the contract is employers, as they relate to the em­ merely an acquiescence to the proposition nlovep,s. but. at the same time. this same of the seller. ~'freedoin and individuality" are sacrificed This right to fix prices is firmly estab­ by every employer of labor who can man­ lished by every corporation tbat holds age to squeeze himself into any sort of a control by itself, combination or gentle­ combination to protect his interests. This men's agreement, of the product to be question, says the Trainmen's Journal, .is sold. one that, unless handled with perfect faIr­ Standard Oil, the steel trust, beef trust, ness by both capital and labor, will always anthracite coal trust, or, in fact, any be one judged from the personal view combination .that stands as an exponent point with the decision that "the other of the right of contract, denies that same side is wrong." right to every purchaser. It is true that Freedom of action is, by the employer, the buyer can leave the product alone and set up against whatever advantages may suffer the inconveniences for so doing, be derived from combination wherein the but this mere acknowledgement fixes the will of a constituted majority is supposed falsity of the term "freedom of contract to control. Freedom of action is a mythi­ in business." cal quantity when applied to the question The statement of the representative of of work and wages just as it is a mythical the Louisville and Nashville Railway quantity when applied to the right to buy Company to the effect that the company what one pleases with his own money. If had a right to fix whatever passen'ger rate he has money enough he can. If he i~ it pleased. is typical of the corporation short, he cannot. It all depends on the idea of the freedom of contract. His ex­ power of the other fellow to make terms. planation of that right and its possible Freedom is always on the side of power impositions on the public was that the and opportunity, and in this connection public did not have to pay the rate; "it 'means nothing at all. The word is out could walk." This is the kind of a "pub­ of place in the sense in which it is used, lic-be-damned" proposition that is pretty and it would be better if the old way of well fixed in the minds of the average stating the case were used, to this effect: combination, although it stands for the :'A man has the right to do a certain "freedom of the workingman" and tells thing, if he is allowed to do it." him it is silly for him to tie up with a The employer leads off with the argu­ combination of his kind and thus lose his ment that a man has a perfect right to independence and his right to freedom of sell his labor for any price he elects. To action. That there are plenty of slow­ a certain extent this is true, but when the thinking, evil-minded and favor-seeking man sells it at a price that jeopardizes workers who listen is to be regretted, but the mental physical and moral welfare of in this lot of short-sighted ones the com­ the remai~der of the community his binations of employers find their mainstay right ceases, for he has no business to against the . progress that labor organiza­ become a public menace. This abuse of tions seeks to bring about. right is exactly what "freedom of the " ...4... man has a right" should always be right to contract" means when it is used accompanied with all of the qualifying r ~. I

THE ELEOTRIOAL WORKER 7

terms that belong to it before it is taken They know, and so do we all know, that seriously, for, the fact is that a man has whatever the union gets for its members no right unless he is able to enforce his will also be given to all others employed ideas of right. If corporations can get in the same line of work. together and control raw materials and finished products both in their buying and It sounds strange and out of place to selling they consider they have shown some employers to listen to the demands rare business judgment and are perfectly of their employes. They cannot under. willing to sacrifice their "freedom and in­ stand that employes have any rights aside dividuality" that they hold so dear for from those included in their acceptance of their workmen. But,· when their em­ terms offered by the employer. But for ployes adol't the same methods for their all of that the purpose of the labor or­ own protection the employer gets out from ganization cannot be set aside because of among his combination associates long the unfairness that takes one pOSition as enough to point out the error of lil,e as­ correct for themselves and declares that sociation for his workmen. There ought same position is wrong for everyone else. to be something in the force of example Labor has a right to look for something for the workmen, but very often there is better; it has a right to organize to get not. it. Both are natural rights, in perfect Labor organizations are accused of be­ accord with the higher principles that ing drastic, illegal and visionary in their ought to control humanity, for the em­ methods. Business associations are more ploye is neither a machine nor a beast of so, and for their methods the less said burden. the better. It is useless to ask the public Let us all get down to the bottom of to separate business and graft, for the the question of right and understand what disclosures starting with the insurance it means and what is necessary to enforce companies and winding in their ill-smell­ it. Let the example of the combinations ing way through the beef scandals, trnst of capital formed for the purpose of tak­ scandals, and down through the railway ing away from the majority of the people exposures, are sufficient to. disgust every be the example of the labor organization one with the term "business man." Graft­ for the purpose of giving to the many er is an easy substitute. Every man in without robbing the few, which is not the the business world is now supposed to be business man's way of distributing advan­ out with either a sand bag or his "big tages. We have a right to ask for a sensi­ mit." ble working day that will not force a man Labor organizations have made mis­ to go home half dead because of the takes and they will make more of them length of it; we have a right to demand before they are done. To expect other­ good wages for work performed for from wise would be expecting too much in the what we receive we must live and bring way of perfection from men who, if they up our families, and it is our right to look for example anywhere will look for bring them up as they should be brought it from their employers. But even that up, to healthy, hopeful manhood and acknowledgement need not be construed womanhood that will make the nation to mean that labor organization is wrong, respected because of the character of all for it is not. of its people rather than to have it known simply because of the wealth of a few of The difference in the purpose of the them. combination of capital and the combina­ tion of the employes is in the difference What has been done for the working in the distribution of benefits derived. people has been done through their own Capital divides its gains among a very efforts. If the question of better men few, the number being smaller each year, were left to the employer alone the work­ while labor divides its advantages among ing people would not be of a very high the very many, its circle of beneficence st.andard, but would be of the class that spreading a little wider each year. The is to be seen coming through the immi­ one combination is for the benefit of the gration gates of every port of entry, illi­ few, the other for the benefit of the many. terate, diseased, criminal and immoral, Labor organization cannot confine its kept in subjection by fear of the severity advantages to its own members. Perhaps of the law and starvation wages that it would be much better if it could, for if show low wages and pauper living will this were the case the most bitter oppon­ do for any people. ents outside of the organizations would The schoolhouse, the shorter workday be the strongest members within them. sanitary regulations, age-limit for child It is common to hear non-union working­ employment, safety appliances on ma­ men damn the union, but you never hear chinery and the right to live as a man one of them damn the union pay-day, the ought to live, were not the work of the union short workday or other union ad­ employers' aSSOCiations-they represent vantages. They accept all of them and the patient effort of combined labor work­ fall back on their "independence" of ing in the right direction.-Organized union control to ease a guilty conscience. Labor. 8 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER THE STORY OF A LABOR LEADER.

BY REV. CHABLES BTELZLE. AISED in the Middle West, where "'Is that so?' I answered. 'Why don't he learned the painter's trade, the you give us the figurehead job, then, and man of whom I speak developed keep the board of public service your­ in self 'I' 0, they are a foxy lot!" into a leader among his craftsmen because of his superior intelligence. He Producing a receipt for goods. sold to perfected the organization of his union the city, he said: until it became a model among the labor "In our city no office·holder is per­ unions of the city, and then he began to mitted, accordin~ to law, to sell any­ improve the condition of other working thing to the municipality. There is the men in town, forming a central labor name of one of the leading officials in union, of which he naturally became the town, indicating that he was paid for president. Seeing the need of a labor­ material which came out of his store. organ, he put into it about $1,500 which "Talk about the enforcement of law, he had accumulated as a mechanic dur­ we working men are not afraid of the ing fifteen years of hard labor, and thus enforcement of the law. We'd like to it happened that when I met him, he see it enforced. If that should happen, was the editor of the local labor paper, I tell you there'd be some loud squealing president of the local trades assembly, by some of the most respectable citi· a vice president of the State Federation zens of this city. of Labor, and an organizer for his na­ "Several of the unions over at the mill tional federation. entered into a contract with the bosses which was to be in operation for two In many respects his story was a typi. years. The contract has still six months cal one. And because it was typical it to run. About a week ago the men were told of experiences which are not always told that thev would have to accent a familiar io the man who knows aU about reduction of -eighteen per cent, or' the labor leaders because he has "read about mills would be shut down. If the men them in the newspapers and in some had violated the contract, every news­ magazines." paper in the country would have printed The physician had ordered him to take it. As it was, the matter was not even a rest. He looked as if he needed one. mentioned. With sunken cheeks and hollow eyes he "Tomorrow night we are to have an sat before me in the little room in my lection at the primaries. The men who hotel, telling with tremendous earnest­ are selected will have the disposal of a ness something of the things he had big contract for school books. The-­ passed through. Book Company has placed money enough "My wife said to me last night, 'Papa, in town to elect all of their men. I was you worry too much about these labor approached last night in behalf of the matter.' But I replied: 'I can't help men who are owned by the company, it. I can't stand by and see the boys but I turned down their proposition so downed.''' hard that they did not know themselves. Somehow to most men the average "They tell about the lawlessness of the labor leader is a man who is more famil­ working men in this part of the country. iar with the saloon than the home. And There is lawlessness, of course; I don't yet the labor leader is very much like deny that. But I have had a standing other men, with the same heartaches offer of fifteen dollars reward for the and-the same temptations. conviction of any lawbreaker around here "The boys nominated me. for mayor who bears an American name. I still two· years ago," he continued. "There hold my money. The convicted men are were five candidates in the field. One all foreigners. The people expected men of the candidates offered me five hun­ like John Mitchell to control a crowd that dred dollars to get out of the race. The even the militia cannot hamHe. There candidate of the leading party in town isn't a labor leader in the country who came to me one day accompanied by can manage these foreigners. Most of three of his workers, with the proposi­ them are a pretty rocky lot, anJway. tion that they would nominate me as a They come over here and live like brutes, candidate to serve on the board of pub­ 'on small wages, setting the standard for lic service, and that the machine would the American working man. They don't elect me, provided that I declined to run suffer any particular hardships, because for mayor." they arf) accustomed to such things. Just "'The mayor is simply a figurehead, as soon as they earn five hundred dollars anyway,' they told me. 'If you were to they could go back home and live like serve on the board of public service, you kings. They pay a dollar a week for could give the laboring men something lodging, and sleep five in a room. When definite, because you will be in a posi­ they work double shift, the night men ( tion to help disburse the finances of the come in and occupy the beds just vacated city.' by the day men, so that the beds are THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 9

always in use. I know of a small house promises to keep the bosses posted on all near the railroad track-and it is a type the affairs of the union. One of their of a good many in town-into which they representatives approached the secretary have crowded twenty-three men, everyone of a union which I organized recently, a foreigner." and offered him fifty dollars a month in Then followed a story of the grossest addition to his regular wages to become immorality indulged in' by the laborers a spy for the concern. But he didn't in these boarding houses as a part of know his man. The secretary knocked the the "privileges" which come to them in fellow down, although he probably suc­ payment of even so small a sum as one ceeded in buying somebody else. It is the dollar a week. The horror of it all was policy of their agents in the shop to op­ positively shocking. It did not seem pose the organization of the labor union; possible that these tbings could be true but, failing in this, they are instructed in his beautiful little American city. to become very enthusiastic in the affairs "Some of these fellows live in box cars of the union, trying to have themselves owned by the railroad company. They elected to office, so that they may serve are placir:g twelve men in each car, and on the executive committee. 1't wOUl" pay them forty-eight cents a day less be an easy matter to have these spies than they are paying other laborers. lead some of the men into doing some­ Then they boast of their philanthropy thing which is contrary to the law, with because they are not charging the men the result that the entire union would anything for the m:e of the cars! As be held responsible for the outrage, and, a matter of fact, they are receiving as happened in the Taff Vale case, in nearly six dollars a day for the use of England, the treasury of the union would their old box cars, which can be of no be depleted as the result of a suit for further service to tllem." damages_ If the unions should become I was shown some photographs of lncorporated, it would be very easy for half a dozen of the cars in question, this corporation to smash practically bearing out the story as it was told by every labor organization in the country. the labor editor. The sanitary condi­ On its face, the propOSition is a fair one. tions had become so vile that the city It would be all right if everybody else authorities were compelled to clear out were all right. But it would be a death the entire enterprise. blow to trade unionism under present The account of the failure of a cot­ conditions. ton speculator had appeared in a morn­ "When an outrage is committed dur­ ing paper. Turning to the picture of the ing a strike, for instance, it is usually operator, the labor man went on: the work of an individual-sometimes in "That's the sort of thing that makes the union, but generally outside of it­ a fellow hot. A chap like this will boost who is acting on his own responsibility. cotton so high that factories all over The labor unions of this country as a the country are compelled to shut down, whole are not lawless, and they do not throwing thousands of people out of work. deliberately plan the slugging and the It's the poor people who have to pay the destruction of property which is usually taxes and the high prices every time. attributed to them. Some union men re­ Look at the shipbuilding trnst! That joice when the strikebreaker is laid out matter and others like it have been talked or when the property of an 'unfair' boss about so much in the newspapers that is destroyed; but that is because it is hu­ the average working man has come to man nature to enjoy seeing your oppo­ believe that all business is a trick, of nent get the worst of the situation. I which he is the victim. Somebody inust have known some bosses who have be­ pay the dividends for these inflated enter­ come jubilant when the unions 'got it in prises, arid who pays them if the working­ the neck.' I tell you, none of us are just man doesn't? Anyway, he isn't getting what we ought to be, and the devil has all that is coming to him, and he knows a pretty good grip on most of us. it. It's no wonder that there are so "It is no snap to be in the labor move­ many Socialists and Anarchists." ment. A man gets it from both sides. "0, no, I am not a Socialist," in an­ I have found in running a labor paper swer to my question. 'The Socialists that nearly every other man has a 'ham­ are a sorry lot in this town. One of mer'-he is a 'knocker.' Just as soon as them-my former partner in the paper some other fellow gets half an inch higher -did me out of $1,300. No, they're no than he is, he has it in for him and for good; li'.,0me of their principles may be the editor, and then there is trouble. all right, but I have never yet met a Working men are the most ungrateful Socialist who begins to measure up to lot of fellows that you ever worked for. them." They have never supported my paper, and "What do I think about unions being I have always stood by them. It has incorporated? Let me tell you what been supported by the 'single ads' of the happened in one of the big shops in town. business men. But I'm going to sell the You probably know something about the paper, and go back to my trade, where I ) Employers' ---- Association, which can at least make a living." 10· THE ELECTRICAL WORKER JESUS CHRIST-UNION CARPENTER.

BY TilE REV. CHARLES STELZLE. I was asked in a public meeting recent­ Christ was a member of that ancient or­ ly if I thought that Jesus would become a ganization, because-in spite of the fact member of the Carpenters' Union were that it was largely controlled by men of he on earth today. Just what Christ this type-it had within it the elements would do in regard to organized labor in of true piety and faithfulness toward the twentieth century, no man dare God and toward men. It must, in all prophecy. Any other man's opinion on fairness be said today with reference to this subject is as good as mine. But I organized labor, that it, too, contains the do believe that jesus was a member of elements which make for a higher type the Carpenters' Guild of his day, which of manhood and womanhood, even though was the nearest approach to the forms there are within its ranks some men of organized labor in this generation. It who dishonor the cause. These must soon is also quite likely that were he to come be eliminated, so that the movement again as a carpenter, with all that that which represents the best interests of the implies-a workingman's trials as well as working people, may no longer be handi­ a workingman's sympathies-he would capped by unfaithful leaders. identify himself with that organization To this end, why would it not be well which is doing most to better the condi­ to invite into membership, the man who tions of all workingmen. And if he were may truly be claimed as "Labor's Cham­ to manifest the same spirit toward those pion"-Jesus Christ? Let organized la­ who oppressed the poor and the helpless bor take its stand behind him. Permit that he did when he was on earth in him to speak for you. You need never bodily form, l;J.e would probably become again quote the political economist. known as a "labor agitator." Quote Christ. Never has any man more Those who assert that Jesus would in bitterly denounced the oppressor. Invite nn n<.:lQlO ;ncn+iT'tT },;rncool-F 'Tldth 03n'{7 "''t''_ ~~ni;;:tio~--th"~t: p-;~-;ti~·;d .. ~i~ggi~~ ~r him to sit upon your platform. TaKe him into your councils. If you will, you that was unfair in any particular - of are sure to win, for Christ is sure to win. which things these persons insist or­ I have a very strong conviction that if the ganized labor is guilty-forget, or do not workingmen of the world were to claim know, that he became a member of the Christ as their exponent, their leader, very organization of his day, which was with all that goes with this claim, no guilty of everything that is today charged power on earth could withstand their on­ against organized labor. When he ad­ ward march. Does this seem visionary? dressed the leaders of the scribes and But hasn't the Church done this very Pharisees, he not only reminded them thing? The true Christ rests absolutely that their fathers and mothers had and specifically upon the person of Jesus scourged and persecuted the prophets, Christ. All of its progress is due to this that they had killed and crucified those fact. Its sacrifice as well as its victories who had been sent to them, but that they were founded upon its faith in Christ. themselves were guilty of the most dam­ nable sins-hypocrisy, graft, persecution. He is claimed today by the Church as a And these very leaders afterward cruci­ living, personal power. Labor, too, may fied him for his persistent declaration have him-in the broadest, fullest sense. that he was the Son of God, and that he And when it again lays claim upon Christ, had been sent to save the people. Jesus its victory is assured.

THE PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS. My Dear Sir - For three years and is foolish and worse to put off an honest more the trade unions have been coming and real attempt to get well; that "sure in on the fight against consumption and cures" for consumption are merely meth­ now this year in New York City we find ods of obtaining money under false pre­ them joining forces with us stronger tenses, that consumption is caused by a than ever and in a way which is bound germ, and that it is courting death to al­ to have considerable effect on this great Iowa consumptive who will not take care problem of the prevention of this terrible of his germ-laden sputum to spit on the but preventable disease. In place of ig­ floor of one's shop or home. These things norance and indifference, at the present we are getting before the unions of this rate we shall soon have a public which city by means of short talks, many of knows that consumption can be pre­ them illustrated with stereopticon views. vented, that it can be cured and that it Take, for instance, our record in this re- THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 11

spect for the first week in April; we were more vigorous and determined demand given the privilege of the floor at the for thorough-going factory, tenement following unions: German Bricklayers house and Board of Health regulations. Union No. 11; Carpenters and Joiners No. But we cannot be satisfled with what 715; United Hebrew Trades; Marble Cut­ is being done. After all and in spite of ters and Setters; United Upholsterers the numbers who have given us a hear­ Union No. 44; Cloak and Skirt Makers ing far more unions are on the other side Union; Tool and Die Workers No. 460; and have still not responded to our re­ Carpenters and Joiners No. 1548; Paint­ quest for permission to address them. ers, Decorators and Paper Hangers No. We want to have extended to us the priv­ 442; Painters, Decorators and Paperhang­ ilege of the floor by every single union ers No. 490; Brotherhood of Bookbinders in this city. We will furnish a speaker No.9; International Association of Ma­ in any language desired and where our chinists No. 402; New York City Lodge lantern is not in use at other lectures we No. 404, 1. A. M.; United Derrickmen, will illustrate our talks with stereoptican Riggers and Pointers Association No.4; views, all entirely at our own expense. It Rockman and Excavators Unions No. is to the unions' own interest to learn of 10630 and No. 10631; Typographical this preventable disease that at present Union No.6; United Teamsters of Amer­ is causing them far more loss in mem­ ica No. 462. bers' lives and union funds than any This means that the sacrifice of over other cause. A letter to the undersigned 10,000 lives to this preventable disease giving date and hour at which our com­ which we see going on in New York City mittee may appear will receive prompt at­ every year is to be stopped, that the trade tention. unions of this city are going to hold up Yours very truly, the hands of the public authorities in PAUL KENNADAY, Secretary, their attempt to stamp out consumption Com. on the Prevention of Tuberculosis, and that there will be in the future a 105 East 22d st., N. Y. City.

THE FEATHERSTONE MYSTERY. PETER W. COLLINS. Gerald Featherstone smiled with an air as was Dora Tinnons was indeed a mar­ of utmost unconcern for to him all the velous demonstration of a woman's power world was at peace. At last he was suc­ and one bound to reflect credit on her sex. cessful. His career was nearing an irra­ Dora Tinnons was not an amateur de­ descent climax. For had not Dorothy tective but a real live professional and Habets that very day succumbed to his ir­ had a reputation long before her arrival reproachable gabfest and consented to at Point Shirley the famous watering be Mrs. Gerald Featherstone. Had he not place and the home of the Habets fam­ made the catch of this and two seasons ily. She had at the earnest solicitation beyond and had not this epoch in his very of Annabelle Ruggles,. Secretary of the life's history been the acknowledgement Byron Literary Circle consented to assist of destiny. Percy Habets and the Habets family in * * * unravelling the mysteries of Gerald The Habet's family objected most stren­ Featherstone's life for the purpose as uously to the engagement of Dorothy and aforesaid of relegating said Featherstone Gerald Featherstone for dame rumor had to the Timbers. it that Featherstone's ancestry had no • * * Coat of Arms or family manor and it Percy Habets was a fellow of no mean would indeed be flying in the face of tra­ order, a royal natured, cheerful chap who dition to have a Habet's marry beneath cared more for the fellowship of the gen­ her station. tle sex, than for the company of men. But opposition was of no avail for His education had not been neglected for Dorothy Habets was a strong willed crea­ many years and his aptitude in the ture, one who had been the apple of her classics created a furore at the Boarding father's eye and who had occasionally School. It had been asserted without con­ used that optic as her own. It was there­ tradiction that Percy was destined to be fore out of the question to dissuade Dor­ more than a society pet and would indeed othy from marrying Gerald Featherstone. make a name for himself in the future. * * * When at school he never indulged in foot­ To be a detective requires no little ball, baseball or other rough sports but genius for the calling not only tests char­ rather immured himself in the deep ob­ \\ acter in a man but an insight into human livion of his boudoir and composed real nature is absolutely essential. But to be smart spics, the rendition of which a female detective and a successful one caused great ecstacy among the members 12 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER of the Byron Literary Circle, a female was he or else his ghost and the slim aggregation. waiting figure of the temale detective • • • shook with a nervousness bordering on The old colonial mansion on the hill hysteria. But still she watched, watched with the majestic tower from which a with an eager fascinated gaze. view for miles around could be had was * * * the home of the Habets family for more By the diffused glow from the pocket than a century and antedating the Revo­ flash light the confession was written and lution. It was originally built by Richard as Gerald Featherstone put his Signature Habets the great grandfather of Dorothy to the paper she had made him pen, and Percy Habets and had always remain­ something more than a thrill of victory ed in the possession of the Habets family. shot through her veins for she recognized When Roger Habets, the father of Dor­ in that signature none other than the othy was in his twenty-first year he mar­ Nuckles, society highwayman and expert ried Lucy Frottings, daughter of Edgar forger. Frottings one of Point Shirley's oldest The back door in the Habets mansion settlers who could boast of as proud a quietly opened and as Dora Tinnons peer­ family tree as any in the old Bay State. ed into the gloom the sneaking, skulking The union had resulted in two child­ figure of a man was passing beyond her ren, Dorothy, the pride of Roger Habets' sight and disappeared into the night. life and Percy, his mother's pet. She had tracked him to the Habets Roger Habets had died when Dorothy mansion and had caught him red handed was but twelve years old and two years in the act of robbing the family safe after his death Lucy Habets, his wodow, (containing the Habets heirlooms) in the married Willis Babbington, the author of cosy sumptuous library on the second a treatise on prunes. Dorothy could not floor. accustom herself to her step-father's pe­ • • • culiar theories and consequently friction Dorothy Habets has again taken her arose in the household. place among the younger set of Point • • * Shirley and the announcement of her en­ Dora Tinnons was positive sue wa~ g-&g-ement to Larie Anson, diplomatic right and yet her woman's instinct told envoy of the English Government has oc· her to be cautious for a false step now casioned joy to her many friends. To might endanger her chance of ever plac­ many the disappearance of Gerald Fea· ing the blame upon Gerald Featherstone therstone remains a mystery till this day, and yet her surprise was so intense she but there is one who, if she would, could could hardly refrain from crying out. tell the real facts in that most interest­ But her eyes could not deceive her. It ing case.

TO THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELEC­ TRICAL WORKERS,-GREETING: To the International Brotherhood of Elec­ In view of these facts we believe the trical Workers.-Greeting: Locals should all be notified to not allow In justice to the membership at large good brothers to come here from distant of the International Brotherhood we deem points expecting to find plenty of work it right and. necessary to acquaint you and good conditions. with the following facts: The scale here was $3.50 and 8 hours, Immediately following the fire in San but we are sorry to say $2.50 and less is Francisco an influx of wiremen was start­ the average paid at present and few men ed on the coast, and as San Francisco was get in over half time; besides this over not in a position to make use of them, the 50 per cent of the Local are without work tide was turned to Los Angeles, and at for weeks at a time. present there are four men for every job, and the unorganized condition of the town The Building Trades Council is inopera­ has given the contractors a chance to tive and unionism is unpopular, all jobs being open and everything on the individ­ force the newcomers to work for less than ual bargains scheme. the scale, maintaining that there was neither union nor scale, and compelling California climate is fine but you cannot the old timers to ac~ept th~ same 'condi­ live on that alone forever. tions which they offered to newcomers. Kindly read this letter at least three At present there is very little work in meetings in order that all may know of the town, the reports of the California these facts. Promotion Society, Railroads, Merchants' Please refer this to your labor paper and Manufacturers' Association and Citi­ with the request that they publish the zens' Alliance notwithstanding. Although same. as the conditions are advertised they are spreading such information differently by the Citizens' Alliance. broadcast over the entire United States. Yours fraternally. but since the earthquake building opera­ E. POWELSON. President. tions have been practically suspended. M. S. CULVER. Ree. Sec. THE ELEOTRICAL WORKER 13

EDITORIAL. PETER W. COLLINS.

STATE RIGHTS. We dolmow that history repeats itself. But how often? That's the question; and particularly an interesting one at this time, for the very good reason that the policy of the future in the affairs of govern­ ment National and State will be determined to a great extent by the proper solv­ ing of the puzzle and the correct answer to the question: "Will history repeat itself? The puzzle seems to be as to just where the line of demarcation between the powers of the Federal Government and the reserved rights of the Sovereign States-guaranteed to them under Art. X. of the Constitution-is drawn. The question of State Rights has always had its advocates and its opponents. It has been a battle-ground for the partisans, the orators, the statesmell, the press and the people, from the beginning of our Oonstitutional history. It was the (11le8tion that made the Constitutional Oonvention of 17'87 possible; as the resolu­ tions introduced in the Virginia Legialatnre in 1785 and 1786 calling for a meet­ i.ng of representatives from 9.11 the States to consider the advisability of devising a nniform system for commercial intercourse necessary to their common interest, and which uncler the Articles of Confederation anoptecl in 1777 intentlccl to be perpetual, was impossible. The Oonvention which met for the consineration of this question on that May day in 1787 deemed it wise to formulate a Constitution that would meet all re. quirements. As to the personnel of that great body of patriots who transmitted to posterity the greatest document from the hand of man since the beginning of the Ohristian era, it is unnecessary to COmlll(mt, suffice to say that their character and their integrity of purpose was unquestioned. Of their work ,Yo R Gla('lRtonc said: "The American Constitution is so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of men. It has had a century of trial under the pressure of exegencies caused by an expansion unexampled in point of rapidity and range, and its exemption from formal cr.ange, though not entire, has certainly approved the sagacity of the constructors and the stubborn strength of the fabric." They differed however as to just what kind of government would best sub­ serve the intcrests of all the people. Hamilton desired a form of government after the English system. ~fadison wanted a real republican form of government. They had their partisans and the fight in convention was a long one and en

THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 15

large majority of the Constitutional Convention were lawyers) and the following gives the opinion of an able State Rights advocate: "Although the popular feeling was against a consolidated government at the time of formation and adoption of the Constitution, yet the Federalists who favored a strong consolidated government, had secured a majority of Congress and retained such majority until the great Civil Revolution of 1860, which displaced them from power in both the Executive and legislative branches of the government; the judicial depart­ ment alone remaining Federal, every member of which was a Fderalist at the time of the decision of Mabury vs. Madison. Of the Federalist party, Alex Hamilton was the very foremost man, controlling the administration of Washington and Adams and the legislation of Congress for the first twelve years of our national existence. He secured the passage of the Judicial Act of 1789 which gave more power to the Federal Judiciary than the Constitution gave and also the establishment of a National Bank unauthorized by it. During the administration of John Adams the Alien and Sedition Laws were passed at his suggestion, he virtually ruling such administration by having untler his influence the several members of the Cabinet to such an extent that Chas. Francis Adams the grandson of the President in his life of John Adams, informs us that neither of these boys was ever made the subject of executive consultation. Thus, this able man who failed in tbe Constitutional Convention to secure the strong govern­ ment, he desired, was gradually building up such a government in defiance of the Constitution. His funding policy, creating a large debt, the establishment of the National Bank, the conferring upon the Federal Judiciary, by law, powers in excess of those conferred by the Constitution, and the passage of the Alien and Sedition laws, were all calculated to strengthen the power of the Federal government and weaken the power of the States." . And again the following resolution adopted by the Virginia legislature in 1789 which were written by James Madison,-The Father of the Constitution­ and transmitted to the legislatures of the States. "That the Assembly doth explicity and peremptorily declare that it view the power of the Federal government as resulting from the compact to which the States are parties, as limited by the plain sense and intention of the instrument constituting that compact, as no further valid than they were authorized by the grant enumerated in that compact. That the General Assembly doth also express the deep regret that a spirit has, in sundry instances. been manifested by the Federal government to enlarge its power by forced construction of the Constitutional charter which defines them, and that indications have appeared of a design to enfound certain general phrases (which having been copied from the very limited grant of power in the former Articles of Confederation, were the less liable to be misconstrued) so as to destroy the meaning and effect of the particular enumeration, which necessarily ex­ plains and limits the general phrasE-s, and so as to consolidate the States by degrees into one Sovereignity, the obvious tendency and invariable results of which would be, to transform the present republican system of the United States into an absolute, or at best, a mixed monarchy." Thus we see that the champions of States Rights and those of Centralization have many times crossed swords in the combat of argument, and while we do not presume to decide which side has a preponderance of merit we do express the belief that history will repeat itself and the whole question again become involved in the turmoil of partisan politics. The issue is indeed a great one and .the atten­ tion of all the people should be given to its proper solution. We are in­ clined to believe that it will be an open question until such time as the Con­ stitution is amended to definitely restrain the inclinations of the judicial "Sap­ pers and Miners" from appropriating to themsclve,; perogratives of the legislative branch.

THE RIGHT Reason it out for a moment: What is your influence in the TO GOVERN. affairs of your City, State and Nation? We venture the asser- tion that your conclusion will be about the same as our own; that the individual and combined influence we exert amounts to very little. And why? Well there are many reasons. 16 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

First and foremost is that we don't give the subject the consideration it de­ serves. We are content to allow the supposedly "wise ones" do the thinking for us, and as a consequence we get the "double cross" and numerous encomiums on our splendid system of government. We get the "double cross" first, from the States­ man we select-or rather who direct us to select them-and then we get it from he, they and them who direct our Statesmen to be good, and do as they are told. Which they do. Surely this is a community of interests with the emphasis on the Interests. A visit to any of our training schools for Statesmen, be it a City Hall, State or National Capitol, will convince us of our crude ideas as to the duties of representatives of the people. The insight we get of how thing'S are done leaves us in doubt as to whether we are in the presence of the real elect or at a convention of Shell Game Operators. And the simlie is not drawn too fine at that,' in fact we fear we are doing the" Shell 111 en" an injustice by the comparison. But seriously the problem is an important one and merits our most serious attention. Magazines are filled with the details and they are startling. But epics from the Special Oorrespondent won't eliminate the evil. There is only one remedy and that is the Initiative and Referendum, by which the people can express their exact desires in an emphatic manner. The first principle of popular government is the right of the people to govern themselvcs. Study the issue, work for its accomplishment and make your influence felt.

"TAINTED Colliers National Weekly, beginning with the issue of February NEWS." 23, 1907, have been running a series of excellent articles on "Tainted Views." Our particular interest is excited by the article of May 4, because it confirms in a coincidental manner the correctness of our own position on this very question. In our editorial-December ELECTRICAL WORKER-"A much abused question." We made the following statement relative to the campaign being waged by the opponents of Municipal Ownership through the public press: "In a large degree the newspapers of the country (some consciously and others unconsciously) act as the disseminators of a species of misrepresentation that is ob· viously unfair and unjust. In many instances articles appearing in the public press apparently legitimate in tone and credited to representative men of the community where a particular effect is desired are the emanations of a highly' paid corps of what we might term Disinterestea Manufacturers of public opinion. Every corporation has its efficient corps, some have lawyers of large fees and a standing in the community (the standing is essential, for the better the standing the greater the area over which the wool can be pulled.) Others are experts in their particular line, which includes the learned in Astronomy, Cosmology, Electricity, and last but not least, Dollarology. Their objective point is the public mind and :in influencing the public mind no stone is left unturned. When the conditions of the patient becomes such that treatment is necessary there is a deluge (of results attained only after careful investigation) that cause consternation to the average public spirited citizen who is only seeking light. Of all the questions thus treated the one which receives greatest attention is Muni­ cipal Ownership and the effusions coming from the 'disinterested manufacturers' showing its evil effects, etc., put to shame those of Mark Twain in his palmiest days." Colliers has made a thorough investigation of the entire subject producing exhibits and the facts and emphasizing the real evil of this nefarious traffic of "Tainted Views." We quote the following from the i3sue of May 4, and would adv'ise that the complete article be secured and read: "THE SUBSIDIZED CAMPAIGN AGAINST ::\IUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP." "Journalism," said Mr. George W. OC'hs recently, "is beset by many tempters; they pursue editors and reporters with blandishments, sophistry, and lures of every kind I THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 17

to promote personal, political, or financial ends." And the "Wall Street Journal," dis­ cussing "Tempters of Journalism," affirms that "no one not trained in a newspaper office has any idea of the arts employed to deceive, use, and corrupt newspapers." There have been, and still are, newspapers which sell their news columns, and often their editorial columns, for a dollar a line, more or less. There have been, and still are, well-known agencies, go-betweens, whose business is the making of these contracts for "tainted news." Through them, literally millions of dollars have been paid out to some American newspapers by the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, by the Equitable Company, and by other corporations.

"CONVERTING PUBLIC OPINION." But this business, by the exposures of the Armstrong Committee, has been made publicly malodorous and dangerous to both the bribers and the "tainted" newspapers. What still rem'ains of it will be told later; the present article deals with a number of less crude and more adroit "tempters of journalism" who practice a tainting of the news in which editors and publishers figure wholly as victims, and are guilty of noth­ ing more than gullibility, or lack of vigilance in guarding their columns. These agencies secure the publication of articles and propaganda favorable to the interests which employ them by a careful keeping in the background of the identity of their employers, and a skilful treatment of their propaganda with ar!ificial appetizers, coloring matter, and disinfectants, whereby the newspapers are deceIved as to its true nature and source. Of these agencies the one which has been and now is employed by the most im­ portant corporations, goes by various names_ In Boston it is the Publicity Bureau, in New York the Press Service Company, in Washington the National News Service. Its proprietors also do business on letter-heads which contain nothing more than their names, Michaelis & Ellsworth (Ellsworth is no longer a member of the firm), and the somewhat cryptic words, "Industrial Statistics." Still another of their names is "Specialists in Relations to Consumers." In all of these guises their business is the . manufacture Of public opinion favorable to the corporations and interests which em- ploy them. They hire themselves out to change public sentiment. Most often it is to quiet the clamorous indignation which some corporation has brought upon itself by the revelation of its wrong-doing; occasionally it is to sow the seeds of corporation propaganda, to fertilize the public mind for the friendly reception of some long­ planned move in corporation aggl·andizement. This they accomplish through a subtle use of the press which constitutes a deception of the public, and usually involves the practice of guile as to the newspapers. It does not involve the payment of money to the newspapers.

ANONYMOUS OPPONENTS OF MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP. The principal client of the Michaelis and Ellsworth concern is a group of modest philanthropists who do not believe in municipal ownership, and are able and willing to spend a great deal of money to insinuate their unbelief into the columns of the press through the agency of the Publicity Bureau and its various branches in Boston, Chicago, New York, and Washington. Collier's has sought diligently to learn the identity of these open-handed philanthropists, but has failed. The managers of the Publicity Bureau refuse to tell; and another agent of the same anti-municipal owner­ ship group, who deals more frankly with the press under the name of "The M. O. Publishing Bureau," refuses to go farther than saying that his bureau is supported "by the subscriptions of a large number of men, many of them well known to the pub­ lic, who wish to present the other side of municipal ownership." Failing to secure more definite information, Collier's feels privileged to infer that these shrinking philan­ thropists, who are paying out their money to enlighten the public on an abstract eco­ nomic question, are not entirely dissociated with the ownership of securities in public­ service corporations. Keeping the public persuaded ihat municipal ownership would be very bad may soon be a regular item in thc operating expenses of public-service corporations. You pay your nickel to the street-car company, and in due time the proper fraction of it comes back to you in the evening paper in the shape of a "tainted news" item, reciting the deplorable failure of municipal ownership in some foreign city. This anti-municipal ownership doctrine is spread by the Publicity Bureau in their typical manner. Here is one of their semi-weekly Washington letters sent out under their Washington name, "The National News Service." It appears in the Jacksonville (Fla.) "Times-Union," under the heading, "Current Chat and Comment from the National Capital." It appears also in a hundred and fifty other papers of equal rank, which don't want to maintain a Washington correspondent of their own, but are 1 willing to print a Washington letter tha comes 0 them free. 18 THE ELEOTRICAL WORKER

OTHER METHODS OF FIGHTING MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP. These or some other plethoric opponents of municipal ownership are dlsseminat· ing their propaganda by other agencies whose methods are less frank, even, than the Publicity Bureau's. When the reader of a New York newspaper c·omes upon a half-column or more of short items detailing the failure of municipal ownership in Sand Flat, Nevada, in Bosky Bottom, Iowa, in Long Coulee, Wisconsin, and in half a dozen other like centres of Western enterprise, he need not necessarily infer that the West is excited about it. It is only that the propaganda's press agens have been busy. Their plan is described in the following letter from a newspaper man in Iowa: "Last summer I was visited by a newspaper man of Omaha, who made the trip here especially to see me. He had learned that at that time I represented a number of the larger papers as correspondent. He wanted it understOOd the conversation was to be strictly confidential. He made it known that he had been designated by some one, representing interests whose indentity was unknown to him, to work up news calculated to convince the public that municipal ownership is a failure. His propo­ sition was to pay me a bonus of $20 a column for all news matter that I could get into papers I represented. He told me that he was gOing the next week to Denver and indicated he would eventually cover Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Minnesota. We publish about 400 ready prints here, and he intimated to me I could get a check for $100 for every anti-municipal ownership story I got into our patents. It had been made plain to him, he said, that there was no limit to the amount of money that could be made, so long as the matter got into the newspapers. . "The plan worked with remarkable success. I of course handled no stories, but I watched the newspapers, and it was amazing to find how many of the big papers were victimized. In that respect, the campaign was the most successful of any I have ever known. If a correspondent should get a half-column story into 10 papers, he would receive from the papers themselves $25, and from the anti-municipal ownership people $100. Some correspondents did this well every other week. In view of the premium it is needless to suggest that in every possible case stories of municipal ownerhip were colored to suit the bureau. "Very truly, R." We hope to be pardoned for seeming to take satisfaction in quoting at length an article sustaining our own opinion expressed five months earlier.

Those least capable of giving an opinion usually advance many.

Misery loves company; but that's no reason why it should have it.

Ridicule never adds to the prestige of the man who uses it for the purpose of demeaning another. !

Considerable nerve and a doubtful reputation coupled with a large bank \ account arC' the requisites of statesmanship.

The desire to discern at all times, the right side of every issue is the para­ mount virtue in honest effort.

A Oonceited man is the best example to other men that false self-esteem pays small dividends.

In speaking of the attainments or failures of other, remember that a good word may be ''bread upon the waters."

The real value of an idea is in its dissemination rather than its possession; for tho the world may hold many unannounced geniuses; it benefits not a whit thereby. I THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 19

A reasonable man listens to argument and gives judgment on the merits, while the fellow who knows it all gives judgment and then reasons with himself that he is absolutely right.

The desire to do something is commendable, but the exercise of effort for that something's accomplishment is of far greater value. For it is in the things we do there is satisfaction rather than in the desire to do them.

The lowest quality of meanness is displayed by that man who strives for self-advancement through character assassination. A good man may often meet with failure but he never seeks to regain lost ground at the expense of another.

The Golden Rule, a much prized relic of ancient days and occasionally used a century ago by designing literary characters has been adopted-with slight variations-by several eminently respectable gentlemen interested in Legislation and Railroads who are desirous of securing its universal acceptance by the people.

NO BAR ROOM MEETINGS. "No bar room meetings" say the lath­ Environments have much to do with ers. "All meeting rooms that are con­ the conduct of men. How true it is that nected with saloons should be vacated." in the meeting rooms of fraternal and The delegates attending the recent lath­ secret societies, the members are sur­ ers' convention are quoted as adopting rounded with these uplifting influences the following resolution: "No local shall alluded to, and that during the meetings, meet in any hall connected or communi­ no matter how intense the debate on cating with any bar, nor shall the or­ any subject may grow, each brother de­ ganization's charter be displayed in any Siring to speak rises to his feet with re­ bar or room adjac·ent to one." spect and tolerance for the opinion of We believe the spirit of the reslution others. Scarcely a harsh word is in­ to be a step in the right direction. There dulged in. Yet many of these same is a time and place for everything, but men, as members of a labor organiza­ meeting rooms connected with or adja­ tion, are the very reverse in their de­ cent to saloons are not, in our opinion, portment when in attendance at a meet­ conductive to the higher ideals and aspir­ ing of their union. Why this change in ations that organized labor stands for, gentlemanly conduct and speech takes and we hope to see the unions of all place, we have often wondered, and we crafts benefit by adopting the healthy change suggested in the resolution can reach no other conclusion than that adopted by the Lathers' International the environments of the respective meet­ Union in convention assembled. There ing rooms are responsible. is no reason why organized labor should Organized labor in its work, if it means not own the finest of modern buildings, anything at all, is uplifting, nd should with the meeting rooms beautifully and not be confined simply to the wage scale artistically adorned. Libraries and read­ ing rooms could be provided, and thus and shorter hours. It should follow its benefit the members in an aducational uplifting of humanity by giving healthy way. We believe that gymnasiums could surroundings when it comes to the se­ also be provided, and when our members lection of a meeting room. Let us have feel the need of relaxation and amuse­ our meeting rooms cleaner and better ment of an evening, they would always furnished, and the lights brighter, and be sure of a place where an enjoyable with these desirable changes will come a and social time could be had. Several greater amount of gentlemanly deport­ other features besides those mentioned, ment on the part of our members to­ in the way of musical entertainments, lectures, etc., could also be introduced ward one another. The resolution adopted from time to time. Such surroundings by the lathers might well be taken into always tend to elevate an dbring about consideration by all crafts, as it applies greater discipline and respect, and a to all with equal force.-The Bricklayer I firmer and truer brotherhood. and Mason. 20 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

Vote of Executive Board on appeal of D. C. 3 of 2d District for $500: Graham ...... $500 00 Godshall ...... 500 00 Fit:?;gerald ...... No. McLaughlin ...... 300 00 King ...... 250 00 O'Connor ...... 30000 Lofthouse ...... 300 00 Offical Journal of the Amount voted ...... 300 00 INTERNATIONAL *Vote of E. B. on death claim of Sneed Brotherheod of Electrical Workers Fibble, Local 369. Graham, yes. Published Monthly. Godshall, yes. Fit:?;gerald, yes. PETER W. COLLINS, Editor. McLaughlin, yes. Pi erik Building, Springfield, Illinois. King, yes. Lofthouse, yes. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. O'Connor, yes. Grand President-F. J. McNULTY, Pierik' Building, Springfield, Dlinois. Grand Secretary-PETER W. COLLINS, *Vote of E. B. death claim of Peter Pierik Building, Springfield, Illinois. Flanagan, L. U. 137. Grand Treasurer-F. J. SULLTVAN, Pierik Building, Springfield, Dlinois. Graham, yes. Godshall, yes. GRAND VICE-PRESIDENTS. Fitzgerald, yes. First G. V. P.-JAMES J. REID, McLaughlin, yes. Erie, Pa. King, yes. Second G. V. P.-JAMES P. NOONAN. 1804 McCausland ave., St. Louis, Mo. Lofthouse, yes. Third G. V. P.-MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN, O'Conner, yes. 265 Pierce St., San Francisco, Cal. *Claims referred to E. B. under Sec. GRAND EXECUTIVE BOARD. 4, Art. 14. First District-GEO. C. KING, 179 Waverly St., Bufl'alo, N. Y. Second District-JOHN J. McLAUGHLIN. NOTICES. 111 Saratoga St., E. Boston, Mass. Grand Vice-President Reid reports a Third District-WM. S. GODSHALL, satisfactory settlement made with the 5415 Osage ave., Phila., Pa. Home Telephone company at Uniontown Fourth DistrIct-JOHN E. O'CONNOR. 626 E. 23d st., Paterson, N. J. and Connelsville. Local No. 142, of Wheeling, W. Va., on strike against the Fifth District-JAMES FITZGERALD, 1924 Leyner St., Des Moines, Ia. Bell Co. Local No. 246, of Stubenville, Sixth District-WALTER M. GRAHAM, Ohio, on strike against the Bell Co. Trou­ 222 St. Mary St., San Antonio, Texas ble threatened at Youngstown, Ohio, in Seventh District-CHAS. P. LOFTHOUSE, the jurisdictions of both local unions No. 505 E. 25th St., Los Angeles, Cal. 62 and No. 64. Local Union No. 241, in­ side men organized at Dayton, O. The Subscription, $1.00 per Year, In Advance. \ Philadelphia District Council decided at their recent convention to continue the As The Electrical Worker reaches the men strike against Bell Company in that dis­ who do the work and recommend or order the material, its value as an advertising trict with renewed energy. medium can be readily appreciated. Grand Vice-President Noonan reports SPRINGFIELD, ILL., APRIL, 1907. trouble of inside men in Local No. 31, Duluth, with contractors. Trouble with Advertising rates may be secured by writ­ Street Railway and Light Company in ing to the Editor. Local No. 83. Milwaukee. Missouri and Kansas District Council still on strike This Journal will not be held responsi­ against t.he Bell Co. ble for views expressed by correspondents. Grand Vice-President Sullivan reports The First of each month is the closing that No.6, San Francisco, pending. Rocky date; all copy must be in our hands on Mountain District in conference on agree­ or before. ments assisted by Grand President McNulty. Grand President McNulty enroute to San Francisco, returns to Boston for confer­ ~ ence with Bell officials on May 31st, at Illinois State Journal Co., Springfield. Boston. THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 21

All brothers will please take notice of Anyone knowing the whereabouts of letter in April WORKER on page 41 written Bro. Joe Curtis originally of No. 39, by Bro. Stephens, Rec. Sec. of No. 156, Cleveland will kindly advise John Camp­ as we are very anxious to locate Mr. bell, 717 Superior Ave., Cleveland, O. Lamkin, said Lamkin will probably be His brothers remains are held in the vault found around some carnival or amuse­ awaiting burial and his folks desire his ment company. Any information as to attendance. his whereabouts will be appreciated by Chas. Funkhouser, Financial Secretary' No. 156, Fort Worth, Tex., care Central INFORMATION NOTICES. Fire Hall. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Brother A. W. Hooper, formerly of Pueblo, If O. M. Neitzel sees this, please com­ Col., and of Bro. J. C. Lathrope, formerly municate with J. Mauldin, Dubuque, Ia., of Orangeburgh, S. C., will communicate General Delivery. with Bro. V. B. Haltiwanger, Box 783, Idaho Falls, Idaho. If Brother Edward Cavanaugh or any other brother sees this that knows his Anyone knowing the whereabouts of address will please communicate with or C. J. Chisholm will kindly communicate write to Walter Watson, 6 Sherman ave., or have him communicate with his broth­ Thompkinville, S. I., N. Y. er, Val J. Chi'3holm, Rio de Janiero, South America, care of the Light & Power Co.

It would be well for the members who Brothers O'Brien and Barrett of Local left Pensacola, forgetting to settle their No. 516 will kindly notify the secretary board and other bills to settle same and of Local Union No. 516 of their address. avoid the publicity of having their names J. McWilliams, Secretary, 120 Webster placed in the WORKER. Wallace W. Wor­ Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. rell, President. If the following brothers see this notice Jas. L. Davis, 204 Central ave., Hot kindly communicate with H. J. Quinn, Springs, Ark., is appointed Financial R. S. Local Union No. 368, 301 E. 39th Secretary of No. 215. St., New York, N. Y. P. C. Calahan, F. Hontoon, and William Gillard. If V. L. Rowell, formerly of 137, should see this notice, please write to John T. Ryan, 11 Erie County Bank A. M. Parish, 119 Seeley ave., Chicago, Bldg., Buffalo, N. Y., desires Brother Ill. Francis H. Johnson, late of 519, of Paris, Ill., to communicate with him at once. Difficulty on with local contractors by Local Union No. 80. Dale Smith, Secre­ Anyone knowing the whereabouts of tary, District Council. Bro. W. B. Shadwell, card No. 38093, out of Local No.2, will confer a favor on the We are expecting trouble and all mem­ undersigned by dropping me a card. bers should remain away until further Signed, Harry Meyers, Secretary, 928 N. notice, and oblige. Yours fraternally, 17th St. No. 136, J. R. Wilcox, R. S. If M. L. McCarty a former member of If Bro. Robert Robertson, Card No. Local No. 185 reads this will he please 196023, also Bro. J. Claussen, Card No. communicate with Dan A. Chisholm, 186024 and Bro Wm. Barrett, who were Washington Hotel, Bellingham, Wash. in Boston on Nov., 1906, will communicate with Fred M. Donald, 71 Wigglesworth st., Boton, Mass. STRIKE NOTI(~E. Local Union No. 213 called the strike Brothers in the East and Middle West against the British Columbia Telephone who are thinking of making the journey Company, off on Feb. 13th, 1907, Frater­ "O'er Canon and Crag to the Land of nally yours, J. L. Cook, Sec.-Treas. of Gold" would do well to remember that Pacific District Council No.1, I. B. E. W., all this alluring literature about Califor­ nia is being put out by Organized Capital. 1414 8th avenue. Don't be deceived brothers, but look up the correspondence from 61, 370, and other Members are hereby notified that Local California locals and learn the true state No. 258 of Providence, R. I. are on strike of affairs from a labor standpoint. and outside men are advised to keep W. W. Irvine, P. S., . away until difficulty is settled. Martin Local 370, Los Angeles. T. Joyce, Secretary District Council. 22 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

STOLEN. THE FAITHFUL FEW. Suit ot clothes with card No. 191017 When the meeting's called to order and due book ot Local Union No. 533 in And you look around the room, pockets, party taking same will please You're sure to see some faces send card to J. R. Lewis, Financial Secre­ From out the shadows loom, tary or Local Union No. 533, 1115 Broad­ That are always at the meeting, way, Enid, Okla. And stay till it is through, II'hose you sure can count on, The Always Faithful Few. LOST. Card No. 12241, Brother L. Kelley, They fill the vacant offices, while enroute to Terre Haute, finder will And are always on the spot, kindly forward same to Secretary Harry No matter what's the weather, Meyers of Local Union No.2. Though it may be awful hot; It may be dark and rainy, But there's the tried and true; DECEASED MEMBERS. The ones that you rely on, Resolutions of condolence have been The Always Faithful Few. adopted by the several locals on the death of the following members: There's lots of worthy members, W. F. Morley, L. U. 36, Sacramento, Who come when in the mood, Cal When everything's convenient, E. L. Bentley, L. U. 421, Watertown, Oh-they do a little good; N. Y. They're a factor in the Order, S. J. Field, L. U. 523, North Yakima, And are necessary, too; Wash. But the ones who never fail us are Walter J. Craig, L. U. 313, Wilmington, The Always Faithful Few. Del. J. G. Johnson, Local No. 68 of Denver, If it were not for these faithful ones Col. With shoulders at the wheel F. N Woofuff, L. U. 459, Cortland, To !reep the Order moving, N. Y. Without a halt or reel, Hiram Mitchell, of L. U. 121, Denver, What would be the fate of orders, Col. That have so much to do? Spike Cochran, of L. U. 121, Denver, They surely would go under Col. But for the Faithful Few.-Ex.

NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.

In the recent message of President interest in the affairs of his government. Roosevelt to Congress regarding the Pana­ When a president of the United States ma canal he makes the following state­ can declare that the working men of the ment: United States have no concern as to who \ "It certainly ought to be unnecessary does the work upon the canal, he has to point out that the American working­ gone to a length in belittling and insult­ man in the United States has no concern ing the working people of this country whatever in the question as to whether that no other public man has ever done the rough work on the Isthmus, which is since the nation was founded, and I performed by aliens in any event, is done doubt it any European ruler or states­ by aliens from one country with a black man could be found who would make such skin or aliens from another country with an assertion. If the working men are a yellow skin. Our business is to dig the not interested in who does the work ot canal as effiCiently and as quickly as the government of a rough character, as possible; provided always that nothing designated by the president in his mes­ is done that is inhuman to any laborers, sage in reference to the canal, I would and nothing that interferes with the like to know who in the world is inter­ wages of or lowers the standard of living ested. They are the people who do this of our own workmen." work in the United States, and they are the people above all others who are in­ It this statement is true, then the wage terested, directly interested, as to who is workers of the United States have no to do this class of work for the United business to be tolerated as citizens of this States wherever the United States may country, and it would be advisable on the have any of it done, whether it be in part of the government or someone else Panama, the Philippine Islands, Wash­ to deprive every wage worker of the right ington, D. C., or anywhere else.-The of sufl'rage and of the right to take any Tailor. ( ,, THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 23 THE OBJECT OF ORGANIZATION.

The Workingman Can Only Free Himself from Oppression by Collective Action-Views of Judge Caldwell, of the New York Circuit Court.

N THIS country the right of wage are reduced to individual action, it is not earners and others to associate to­ so with the forces arrayed against them. U gether and act collectively is not a A corporation is an association of individ­ boon granted by the government. uals for combined action; trusts are cor­ It is not derived from the constitution, porations combined together for the very statutes or judicial decisions. It ante­ purpose of collective action; and capital, dates the constitution. It is a natural which is the product of labor, is in itself and inherent right. It is the natural a powerful collective force. Indeed, ac­ weapon of weakness. cording to this supposed rule, every cor­ poration and trust in the country is an The right of men to combine tqgether unlawful combination; for, while its for lawful purposes necessarily carries business may be of a kind that its individ­ with it the right to combined action. Of ual members, each acting for himself, what utility is organization without the might lawfully conduct, the moment they right of collective action? Collective ac­ enter into a combination to do the same tion is implied in the very term "organ­ thing by their combined effort the com­ ization." Organization has no other ob­ bination becomes an 'unlawful conspiracy. ject. Man, by nature, is a social being. but the rule is never so applied. Corpor­ Association and collective acUon by those ations and trusts and other combinations having common interests for their pro­ of individuals and aggregations of capital tection and material, moral and mental extend themselves right and left through improvement is a natural instinct. the entire community, boycotting and in­ The idea of the power of men in asso­ flicting irreparable damage upon and ciation has always been abhorrent to des­ crushing out small dealers and pr'Oducers; pots and to those who wish to oppress stifling competition, establishing monop­ their fellow men because its free exercise olies, reducing the wages of the laborers, is fatal to despotism and oppression. The raising the price of food on every man's strength it imparts carries its own protec­ table and of the house that shelters him, tion. In all ages those who seek to de­ and inflicting on the wage earners the prive people of their rights justify their pains and penalties of the lockout and action by ancient and obsolete precedents, blacklist, and denying to them the right and coining definitions suited to their of association and combined action by re­ ends. fusing employment to those who are People can only free themselves from members of labor organizations; and all oppression by organized force. No peo­ these things are justified as a legitimate ple could gain or maintain their rights result of the evolution of industries re­ or liberties acting singly, and any class sulting from new soCial and economic of citizens in the state subject to un­ conditions, and of the right of every man just burdens of oppression can only gain to carryon his business as he sees fit, relief by combined action. All great and of lawful competition. On the other things are done and all great improve­ hand, when laborers combine to maintain ments in social conditions achieve.d by or raise their wages, or otherwise to bet­ the organization and collective action of ter their conditions or to protect them­ men. It was the recognition of these selves from oppression, or to attempt to truths that prompted the promulgation overcome competition with their labor or of the proposition we are disc,-\ssing. The the products of their labor in order that doctrine that compels every man to be a they may continue to have employment stranger in action to every other man is and live, their actions, however open, contrary to the constitution and genius peaceful and orderly, ,are branded as a of our government. "conspiracy." What is "combination" It is a doctrine abhorrent to free men. when done by capital is "conspiracy" It is in hostility to a law of man's nature, when done by the laborers. No amount which prompts him to associate with his of verbal dexterity can conceal or justify fellows for his protection, defence and this glaring discrimination, if the vast improvement. Under its operation every aggregation and collective action of capi­ religious, political or social organization tal is not accompanied by a corresponding in the country may be enjoined from com­ organization and the collective action of bined action, if their religious faith or laborers. This is demanded not in the political creed or practice is obnoxious. interest of wage earners alone, but by the While laborers,. by the application to highest considerations of public policy. them of the doctrine we are considering, The very objects of labor oganizations 24 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER is to impart to every laborer the strength ganizations did not have the right to of all. A great nation will go to war to protect and defend the interests of its maintain the rights of its humblest citizen. members, individually as well as col­ A nation that would not do this would lectively, they would be of no utility and justly lose the respect of every other na­ would soon come under abject submission tion, and soon no respect would be paid to capital, which grants nothing of funda­ to the rights of its citizens. The cause of one laborer is the cause of all laborers. mental value to wage earners which is Organized labor must give to each of its not coerced to grant by the combined collective force and influence, else they power of labor organizations or legisla­ will fall, one by one, a sacriflce to the tion brought about usually through their greed of their employers. If labor or- influence.

ANCIENT ORATORY. HE great body of men invariably the e:l'l'ect even of the most perfect e:l'l'orts impute inability to speak well in of oratory. O public to want of ideas; whereas, When asked, What is the first requisite in reality, it generally arises from of eloquence? the last of these orators want of practice, and often coexists answered, "Action;" the second? "Ac­ with the greatest acquirements and the tion;" the third? "Action." Without go­ most brilliant genius. Tbe main causes ing so great a length, and admitting the to which the extraordinary perfection of full influence of the genius of Demo­ ancient oratory is to be ascribed, are sthenes in composing the speeches which the great pains which were bestowed on he so powerfully delivered, everyone the education of the higher classes in must admit the advantage of an impas­ this most difficult art, and the practice sioned delivery in heightening the e:l'l'ect of preparing nearly all their finest ora­ of the highest, and concealing the defects tions before delivery. There were no of the most ordinary oratory. short-hand writers in those days. The We all know what would be the fate art of stenography was unknown. What of a speaker in the House of Congress was written came, and could only come, who should commit his speeches to mem­ from the author himself. It is well ory, and take lessons from a Macready or known that several of the most cele­ Kean in their delivery. Beyond all doubt, brated speeches of Cicero never were de­ derision' would take the place of admi­ livered at all. ration; the laughs would be much more frequent than the cheers. Yet something­ Indeed, to anyone who considers the like this is precisely what Cicero and style of the speeches, not only of the Demosthenes did; it was thus that Peri­ great masters, but of all the orators of cles ruled the Athenian Democracy, and antiquity, it must be sufficiently evident lEschines all but overturned the giant that nearly all that has come down to us had been written. Some part, without streJ;lgth of his immortal adversary. doubt, was caught from the inspiration We are not to imagine that these men, of the moment: a happy retort was some­ whose works have stood the test of twenty times the result of an interruption-a centuries, were wrong in their system; \ felicitous reply to an antagonist's at­ it is not to be supposed that every sub­ sequent nation of the earth has misdi­ tack. But these were the exceptions, not rected it admiration. It is more probable the rule. that some circumstances have occurred to Nor was less attention bestowed, in an­ turn oratory, in modern times, aside from cient times, upon training young men­ its highest flights, and induced a style in to whatever profession they were destined public speaking which has now become -in that important and difficult branch habitual, but which is inconsistent with of oratory which consists in intonation the most perfect attainment in the art. and delivery. Cicero, when advanced in Nor is it difficult, if we consider the life, and in the meridian of his fame composition of modern senates, and the took lessons from Roscius, the great tragi!, objects for which they are assembled, to actor of the day; and the e:l'l'orts of see what these circumstances are. But Demonsthenes to overcome the impedi­ rely upon it, opportunities for oratory in ments of a defective elocution, by putting its very highest style are not wanting. pebbles in his mouth, and declaiming on What is wanting is due attention e~rly in the shores of the ocean, the roar of which life to that noble art, the lofty spirit resembled the murmurs of the forum, which aims at great objects, and the en­ demonstrate that the greatest masters of ergetic will, the resolute perseverance, the art of eloquence were fully alive to which deem .the labor of a life time a the vast influence of a powerful voice light price to pay for their attainment.­ and animated delivery, in heightening BZackwoods Magazine. THE ELEO'l'RIGAL WORKER 25 A FORCIBLE ADDRESS.

By Secretary of State Whalen at a Mass Meeting at Troy, New York-Lable and Child Labor-A Strong Trade Union Speech Which Appeals to Workers. T a mass meeting on March 13 in Fed­ cause there was danger from catching ~ eration Hall, in Troy, N. Y.," under leprosy from tobacco that did not bear it. B the auspices of the Anti-Child The blue label of today does not mean to Labor League of that city, Secre­ look out for leprosy, but it does signify tary of State Whalen made a strong trade that the goods are not made by children. union speech, a part of which we are able The tobacco trust employs 16,000 children to produce through the courtesy of John under fourteen years of age. Do YOll J. Manning, secretary-treasurer of the ID­ practice what you preach? Do you here ternational Union of Shirt, Waist and in Troy use only the goods bearing the Laundry workers. Secretary Whalen's union label"! I know for a fact that views on the union label and child labor brands of tobacco are used here that are are forcibly presented and ought to make made by the trust, in many cases the a strong impression" on the fair-minded, work of child labor. be they employers or workingmen. He spoke in part as follows: SHOULD MAKE IT THE STYLE. "I was asked up here to speak on the "The woman should make it the style subject of child labor, but it looks as if to go out and demand the union label. this had turned out to be a Whalen meet­ Think what it would accomplish if they ing. I do not care about having any did. Perhaps none of your children work boquets thrown at me. It is my purpose in the mills and factories, but remem­ to give you the same old talk that I have ber that children just as dear to their given often before. It is to appeal to you mothers as yours, are at work stripping to be consistent and practice what you tobacco in the factories. Here is an As­ preach. It is a matter of pride to me that sociated Press dispatch, dated Philadel­ I was elected last fall to the third office phia in April of last year. It tells of a of importance in the Empire State, but I fire in a factory where the doors were all am also proud that I am a trade unionist. closed and locked, making it impossible I have never aspired to be a politician. I for the little workers to escape. After never asked a man for the nomination, the article tells how the firemen did their never work a day at the polls, never spent work, a list is given of eight little bodies a cent for political purposes and never found in the ruins. One was twelve years paid a cent for a vote. I believe that a of age, ano.ther is twelve years of age, workingman has as much right to aspire another thIrteen, another ten, another to a public office as those who have laid twelve, another eighteen, another seven­ claim to offices as their exclusive right. teen and one is the body of an unknown I want to show that the laborer is far ad­ girl aged thirteen years. Mention is also vanced over what he was forty years ago. made of three other children seriously It will be my purpose to show to the peo­ injured and taken to the Pennsylvania ple of this state and the people of the General Hospital. Did you think that United States that a laboring man can such conditions could exist? make a good record in public office. When I made my appointments I looked for the INCREASE- IN CHILD LABOR. best men in trade union ranks, and I have told them that it all rests with them It is up to you to create the demand whether the conduct of the office shall of articles bearing the union label. Ac­ prove to be a record of which all organ­ cording to statistics every fifth child be­ ized labor will be pround. tween the ages of ten and fifteen years is a bread-winner and every third of the SIG':'TIFICANCE OF LABEL. number is a girl. The statistics show an increase of 33 1-3 per ceDt of child labor "I waDt to say a word on union labels. iD the last teD years. I appeal to men and You speak of what this one does and what women to simply be consistent. Enroll that one ought to do, but you ought to in the Anti-Child Labor League. You see that a little of the fault lies with don't have to pay any dues. They do not vourself. The women scramble for some ask you to come to meetings. Help in bargain just because it is cheap, but they this fight against child labor. Talk never think how the goods are manu­ against it at all times and in all places. factured. The white label was adopted You have the purchasing power, and it in California thirty-eight years ago hy should be exercised in favor of goods \ the Cigarmakers' Union, and people were bearing the union label and in that way " to.d to look out for the white label, be- against the goods made by the sweat of 26 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER women and children. Help this work by its factories in the North, but in the refusing to buy the goods, and in that South, where there are no laws regulating way take the children out of the factories child labor. It is a standing joke that and let them go to school and get an edu­ the people of Troy use in great quantities cation. Strikes are things of the past. a certain brand of tobacco that does not The purchasing power is the great bear the union label. I appeal to you all strength men and women have to fight to be honest, to be consistent. On Jan­ with in this cause. It is what they a11 uary 1, I administered the oath of office live on. to Governor Hughes, and I am proud of the fact that everything I had on from APPEAL TO BE CONSISTENT. head to foot bore the union label. I ap­ The tobacco trust says that it will put peal to you all to help the cause in this our union out of business when 95 per way. The members of the trade unions cent of the tobacco is used by the laboring should regard them not as a body of class of people. The tobacco trust hires scrappers, but as a great fraternal organ· in this country 16,000 children under the ization for the uplifting of humanity.­ age of sixteen years. It does not locate The Mine Workers' Journal.

PACIFIC DISTRICT COUNCIL NO. 1.

To Local Unions in Jurisdiction of Paci­ part of the desperate knave that he is and fic Council, I. B. E. W.-Greeting: will bring him that much further on the Since April 1st, report L. U. 207 has road to his final and complete downfall, paid up all arrearages and is now in good and will place him· among the capitalists, standing, New L. U. 345 is starting out whom he alleges are against him. When right by pa.ying up and is 0.1(, L. U. it is a well known fact that he made his 230 has vote·d to pay up and am sure -from first and only attack on the Fairmount information at hand, that the other Hotel, where the owners were hiring the Locals that are in arrears will be in line men direct and paying the highest wages very shortly. in the city, where he compelled the owner to discharge his men, and employ a con­ Carpenter strike at Vancouver makes tractor to do the work, and this is at the it dull for insidemen. request of the Contractors association, Pay no attention to adds, "Electricians who are determined to make an example wanted at Reno, Nevada," as these are of any man who does not first pay tribute open shop adds. to them. The term of Organizer Didisch for the McCarthy will keep up his libelling peo­ N. W. has been extended by vote of the ple, and having them imprisoned falsely, E. B. for two months more, this will make until some one will land a suit against his term end June 23d. The term of him that will very materially lessen his Organizer Kennedy for the South, expires large and constantly increasing assess­ June 30th, 1907. ment roll, not mentioning the interests he The L. U. 6 trouble is still on and Mc­ holds in various corporations and con­ Carthy is resorting to all the contempta· tracting concerns. ble methods of the worst strike breakers This whole kidnapping scheme was got­ in the Country, and even teaching them ten up to offset the effect of No.6 putting new methods of knavery, and rascality to her men to work with the Alamenda Co. endeavor to force No. 6's members back to B. T. C. card, and taking away the work $5.00 per day when their employers are from his rats, No. 6's men after being willing to and are giving $6.00 per day. called out, and showing McCarthy's weak­ He has even had his tin horn syco­ ness are at work again in spite of him, phants and rats hatch up a conspiracy and the rats are on the run. against the active members of L. U. No. We understand there has been or will 6 to get them in jail and away from the be a general layoff of men in all depart­ fight, by having them arrested for and ments of the Pacific Telephone and Tele­ alleged kidnapping conspiracy, claiming graph Co. "The Shine" for the whole that they were trying to kidnap him (Mc­ Coast, traveling Brothers, should keep Carthy) it is known that it was his own away from here at present. Note new hirelings that put up the job on No. 6's address of S. T. With best wishes to all. members, and while McCarthy has made himsel! the laughing stock of the Com­ Fraternally yours, munity, and his pipe dream made the Pacific Council, I. B. E. W. subject for stage jokes, when the real J. L. Cook, No. 1253 High St., Fruitvale, facts are revealed it will reveal only a California. ( THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 27 ARBITRATION. Address delivered by Mr. Herman RId­ ants' Union. We employ photo-engravers der, President of the American Newspaper who work under an agreement with the Publishers' Association, at Mr. Andrew International Photo Engravers' Union. Carnegie's residence, Friday evening, April These national agreements with labor or­ 5, before the National Civic Federation, ganizations are not labor contracts. They but owing to Mr. Ridder's Inability to be simply provide a way by which each In­ present his son, Mr. Bernard H. Ridder, dividual publisher may secure arbitration read the following paper, which was pre­ without interruption to his business, the pared with the kindly assistance of Mr. national labor organization with which John Norris: the contract is made by each publisher, Arbitration has secured industrial peace guaranteeing the performance of alI- its for 200 members of the American News­ contracts by unions under its jurisdiction; paper Publishers' Association, employing in other words, it underwrites local ar­ four-fifths of all newspaper labor. In six rangements. Those agreements have stood years there has not been a strike or ces­ the practical test of time and of wide sation of work in any of the U_ion com­ application under an extreme range of posing rooms of our Association. There conditions. They are workable. has not been a single disagreement which At the outset, we recognized labor has not been amicably adjusted. We are unions. We dealt with ld.bor representa­ glad to report that agreements just sign­ tives, realizing that when we did so \ve ed provide for a continuance of that happy ceased to recognize the individual, but In condition for an additional period or five doing so we increased the responsibility years. Neither employer nor employee of the union and the union admitte,_ Its has been subjected to the wasting effects obligation. We accepted the closed shop. of warfare; both sides 'h'ave been gainers. We substantially accepted the eight-hour The publishers are paying 'higher wages. day. We assumed that arbitration Is pos­ The unions are treating the publishers sible only when the parties in dispute ap­ with greater respect,' greater caution, proach the question in a fair and concil1a­ greater justice. Both sides are pleased. tory way. We had Interests in common Our principal gain is not in the troubles and we dealt on the basis that we were we have settled, but In those we have not members of hostile classes. We have prevented. Our labor commissioner re­ not wrangled over trifies. We have ex­ poz:ted that the past year had been the plained our relative positions and have most quiet one of our history. There had avoided many difficulties which arise from been steady improvement of labor condi­ 'haughtiness. We have studied patience. tions and an increase of peaceful methods. W1e knew that the labor question was full We know of no other .combinatlon of em­ of complications, and that the leaders of ployers which has succeeded in perfecting the union must exercise great patience a great pact with the labor unions and In and tact in controlllng the men who maintaining entirely satisfactory rela­ elect them to office. We started out to tions. The probable explanation of this promote a better understanding between outcome and our good fortune in the mat­ the Association and our employees. We ter, lies in the fact that our employees established a labor bureau and elected a are more intelIigent than any other grade commissioner with manifold duties. He of labor and are more appreciative of assisted in settling labor disputes. He what is right. These unions take pride, worked to secure the appointment of joint not in the number of strikes they have national arbitration committees for the ordered in newspaper offices, but in the adjustment of labor troubles that could number of days' work they have provided not otherwise be settled. He obtained for. their members, and in the fact that data upon all subjects pertaining to the they have In their ranks many skilled mechanical work of newspapers. Publish­ men to whom employers pay more than ers were thereby equipped to deal intelli­ the scale to retain their services. These gently with the unions. We cultivated unions pride themselves that their word friendly relations with the organized is their bond and that their treasuries and wage earners. Our commissioner attended authority are behind their agreements. their conventions and addressed them. He The American Newspaper Publishers' did so every year. Their presidents came Association is a voluntary organization of to our conventions annually and talked 270 papers, covering every considerable to us. They send to our commissioner city of the Union. It has no power to regularly the proceedings of their con­ compel any member to act, outside of his ventions, the caples of their official organ own volition. We employ compositors, and their reports. Our dealings have been markeed with courtesy, promptness, and stereotypers and mailers who work under our International Typographical Union fairness. Disagreements have occurred agreement. WIe employ pressmen who and diametrically opposite views have work under our agreement with the Inter­ been held, but we 'have always managed , national Printing Pressmen and Assist- to arrive at some sort of understanding 28 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

which, while not altogether satisfactory, a djffi.culty becaUSe we did not have a has prevented friction and trouble. code of procedure which would guide and The first contract became effective May govern arbitrators in passing upon ques­ 1, 1901. It was a tentative agreement with tions. Ultimately a draft was formulated the International Typographical Union and a.dopted which facilitated work and for one year to settle differences ariSing minimized the occa3ion for disputes. from existing contracts, At the end of Later on we were' confronted by the ad­ tha.t period we entered into a second vocates of the sympathetic strike. It was agreement for a term of five years, adding contented that our contract could not an important provision for the arbitration prevail If a newspaper had a dispute with of wages and hours in new scales. In the a union that was affiliated with those settlement of each dispute we arranged under agreement. When this position was to try, -first, conciliation, then local arbi­ taken by the unions we refused to make tration, and, finally, national arbitration. any agreement to do other than pay the It is gratifying to report that more than scale, and because of our firmness in that half of the new scales were settled by respect the sympathetic strike idea was conciliation. abandoned. Our third agreement, which begins May It is true that under arbitration neither 1, 1907, and continues for five years, covers side has obtained what it thought it was wages, hours and working conditions. In entitled to receive, but we have main­ It we have attempted a radical departure, tained friendly relations at all times. We new at least on this side of th,e ocean, have produced our newspapers without though we understand it has been tried interruption, and our employees have had successfully in England. We are doing the opportunity of work uninterrupted by away with the third man in arbitration. strike or lock-out. The recognition of the We think it is an advance step. Usually, principle of arbitration has tended to in­ the third man has been unfamiUar with crease the stability of investment In the publishing business. His decision has newspaper property. Its chief value has been more or less of a compromise, and it been the means it afforded 'us for the set­ has been described as a "hit or miss" tlement of minor contentions which for­ affair. The tendency of arbitration with meriy caused infinite troubie, orten iead­ the third man is toward a compromise, Ing to destruction of property, enormous but without any definite or established losses of wages and the engendering of prindple. We have aimed at the perfect passion. Our payments for the mainte­ equality of both sides in the settlement nance of our special Rtanding committee of any controversy that might arise, the have been payments for industrial insur­ final judgment to be rendered by three ance, just as we pay for fire and accident representatives of each national body. If insurance. this new arrangement meets our require­ We look forward to the day when the ments, then we will have brought the set­ unions will realize' that all union men tl.ement of industrial disputes to an ideal should be proficient in their work and of plan~. good moral character in order that pub­ In working out the amicable adjustment lishers may not want other than union of our differences we encountered in 1903 men. \ INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH.

The American Bureau of Industrial Re­ vention are also desired. Anyone having search, under the direction of Professors in his possession, or knowing of these Richard T. Ely and John R. Commons of or any other material bearing Upon the the University of Wisconsin, is now at subject, is requested to communicate with work upon a careful History of Industrial the American Bureau of Industrial Re­ Democracy in America. The University search, Madison, Wisconsin. of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin His­ torical Library are co-operating in this The readers of this journal are remind­ underta.king. The Library has furnished ed of the frequent loss, by fire and other accommodations in its large, modern, causes, of valuable records and publica­ strictly fire-proof building where all ma­ tions when kept in the ordinary dwelling terial is catalogued and stored in such house. The American Bureau of Indus­ manner as to be available for students trial Research is dOing a valuable service and investigators at all times_ The Bu­ to the country in thus providing for sys­ reau desires to secure a complete file of tematic preservation of labor material. THE ELECTRICAL WORKER. Convention Co-operation on the part of all interested proceedings of trade organizations and in the labor movement cannot be too constitutions as amended at each con- strongly urged. THE ELEOTRICAL WORKER 29

EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY LAW AND THE COURTS.

BY SAMUEL GOMPERS. One of the best and most creditable tween the states? It is true that com­ acts of the first session of the last Con­ merce may be indirectly regulated by gress, as our readers are aware, was that regulating the instrumentalities, but the in regard to the liability of common car­ liability act does not even affect the in­ riers for accidents to their employers. As strumentalities of commerce. two federal judges almost simultaneously This reasoning was severely attacked declared the act unconstitutional, and in the press, though some learned lawyers three other judges of co-ordinate juris­ endorsed it and described the act as a diction, in as many cases, have sustained disingenuous-not to say tricky-attempt it, the question involved may profitably be on the part of Congress by stretching and considered here from the standpoint of misconstruing the commerce clause on the common sense and public feeling. constitution, to regulate something with Let us first recall the principles of the which it had no power to deal. act and the chief changes it makes in the Since then, as we noted above, the fed­ law concerning employers' liability. eral circuit courts have upheld the act. Briefly, the act abrogated. the old, anti­ The most notable of the favorable deci­ quated, and flagrantly unjust "fellow-ser­ sions is that rendered in March by Judge vant" doctrine, and modified the doctrine Emory Speer at Macon, Ga. Judge Speer of contributory negligence, which was is a staunch defender of such state rights scarcely less unjust and unreasonable. It as seem to him valuable and practical. In provided that every common carrier be connection with the employers' liability liable for all damages that might resuit act he was unable to see wherein any right of the states was infringed. Nor from the negligence of its officers, agents, was he able to discover much in the ob­ or employes. It also provided that the jection that to regulate the liabilities of contributory negligence of an injured (or t.he railroads as employers was to go out­ dead) employe should not be a bar to the side of the sphere of the interstate com­ recovery of damages where his negligence merce clause in the federal constitution. was slight and that of the employer (or his agent or other employe) was gross in The power to regulate interstate como. comparison; that the damages in . any merce on land, Judge Speer holds, is co­ such case should be diminished by the extensive with the power to regulate for­ jury in proportion to the negligence attri­ eign commerce, commerce on the seas and butable to the victim of the accident. the internal waterways. Legislation gov­ erning the liabilities of shipowners and For many years organized labor has en­ their relations with the seamen has been deavored to procure legislation of this enacted again and again, and its validity character from the several states. Owing is not even called into question. to the opposition of selfish employers and Further on, in giving his opinion on the their sophistical attorneys, progress to­ law, the judge continues: ward justice to industrial victims has If, then, Congress has the established been painfully slow. Little has been done right to control the relative duties of the to stop the industrial slaughter, little to shipowners and the seamen, both of whom provide, against accidents and disability. are instrumentalities of commerce, both The United States is behind every Euro­ absolutely essential to its proper and pean country with regard to the protec­ effective conduct, or any conduct, upon tion of life, limb, and health of working­ what sound reasoning can its control of men and workingwomen. the rights and liabilities of other men €'n• Congress, which is not, as we know, gaged in the transportation by land of the over-generous to labor, was induced to same commerce be denied? The em­ pass the employers' liability law. Yew ployes of a railroad company are essen­ ventured to criticise it, while many legal tial instruments to the existence under and lay journals gave it their warm ap­ modern conditions of interstate traffic on proval. land. The locomotive engineers, firemen, Why did two federal courts declare it the train hands, the track hands, the con­ unconstitutional? Two major reasons ductors, and all the rest are as essential were assigned. One does not concern us, to this traffic as are the masters, pilots, for it is purely technical and verbal. The engineers, and sailors to navigation. The other is fundamental. power to regulate, as we have heretofore seen, is unlimited in its application to The act, said the two courts, is not in such traffic. How narrow, then, is the any true sense a regulation of interstate contention that this regulation may be commerce. It creates a new ·liability, or extended to the inanimate machinery and rather two new liabilities; it defines the commodities engaged and not to the men relations between carriers and their em­ without whose services not a wheel would ployers in certain cases. What have these revolve and not an ounce of freight would , things to do with the transportation of be transported. , property and the transit of persons be- Moreover, Congress has legislated with 30 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER regard to safety appliances for the protec­ chanted with those fiowers and blossoms tion of passengers and employes, the which are sometimes woven into garlands transportation of lottery tickets, the is­ to crown that divinity-the sovereign suance of passes, the keeping of records state. Like Lord Bacon in the "Novum of accidents, and so on, and all these Organum" and other works written to things have been done under the brief and ameliorate the hardships of life, they general "commerce clause." were after "fruit." Is it reasonable to draw the line at the These are refreshing and welcome senti­ abrogation of the fellow-servant doctrine ments. They should be commended to and the contributory negligence rule, and other federal judges who have occasion to say that the power to regulate commerce pass on labor laws that corporations at­ on land is insufficient to e:l'fect these de­ tack on imaginary constitutional grounds. sirable and just reforms? Judge Speer adds these interesting Surely, some progress has been made, words, which we quote on account of their and finally that splendid practical philo­ particular pertinence to our recent obser­ sophy, which is intended for the better­ vations on the bias of federal courts ments of mankind, will be accepted not against "labor legislation," "their strain­ only as the law of the land, but also the ing at gnats" (where labor is concerned) practical every-day action of life. after "swallowing camels" to accommo­ In the meantime, we find federal courts date corporations and "vested interests." of equal jurisdiction holding variously While I am aware that no determina­ and antagonistically upon fundamental tions of this great question will be gener­ rights and principles underlying the lawt! ally satisfactory save that of the Supreme passed by Congress of the United States Court, I have not felt at liberty to await and signed by the President. Is there the decision of that great tribunal, and not, therefore, reason for the demand thus avoid the responsibility of making which labor makes for the enactment of my own determination of the pending a law by Congress that the courts of its case. I am clear as to the constitution­ creation, those inferior to the Supreme ality of this measure, but if I were in Court of the United States, shall not be doubt; I would uphold the law. Tt is a permitted to pa"" llpon the constitution­ part of that splendid practical philosophy ality of any law; but that this power shall of government which is intended for the be reserved solely and alone to the high­ betterment of mankind. The statesmen est judicial tribunal of our country, the who dealt with this question did not deal co-ordinate branch of our federal govern­ with abstractions. They were not en- ment, the United States Supreme Court.

REFORM IRRESISTIBLE.

MACAULAY. T IS a principle never to be forgot­ mind, which produces exactly the same ten, that it is not by absolute, but effect which would be produced by a D by relative misgovernment, that change in the government for the worse. nations are roused to madness. It may be that the submissive loyalty of Look at our own history. The liberties of our fathers was preferable to that inquir­ the English people were, at least, as much ing, censuring, resisting spirit which is respected by Charles the First as by Hen­ now abroad. And so it may be that in­ ry the Eighth, by James the Second as fancy is a happier time than manhood, by Edward the Sixth. But did this save and manhood than old age. the crown of James the Second? Did this "But God has decreed that old age save the head of Charles the First? Every shall succeed to manhood, and manhood person who knows the history of our civil to infancy. Even so have societies their dissensions knows that all those argu­ law of growth. As their strength be­ ments which are now employed by the comes greater, as their experience be­ opponents of the Reform Bill might have comes more extensive, you can no longer been employed, and were actually em­ confine them within the swaddling-bands, ployed, by the unfortunate Stuarts. or lull them in the cradles, or amuse The reasoning of Charles, and of all his them with the rattles, or terrify them apologists, runs thus: "What new griev­ with the bugbears, of their infancy. I ance does the nation suffer? Did the do not say that they are better or happier people ever enjoy more freedom than at than they were; but this I saY,-they are present? Did they ever enjoy so much di:l'ferent from what they were; you can­ freedom?" But what would a wise and not again make them what they were, honest counselor have replied? He would and you cannot safely treat them as if have said: "Though there has been no they continued to be what they were." change in the government for the worse, This was the advice which a wise and there has be"en a change in the public honest minister would have given to ( THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 31

Charles the First. These were the prin­ we take in, at one view, the whole life­ ciples on which that unhappy prince time of great societies. should have acted. But no. He would We have heard it said a hundred times, govern,-I do not say ill, I do not say during these discussion!!, that the people tyrannically; I say only this,-he would of England are more free than ever they govern the men of the seventeenth cen­ were; that the government is more demo­ tury as if they had been the men of the cratic than ever it was; and this is urged sixteenth century; and therefore it was as an argument against Reform. I admit that all his talents, and all his virtues, the fact, but I deny the inference. The did not save him from unpopularity,­ history of England is the history of a from civil war,-from" a prison,-from a government constantly giving way,­ bar,-from a scaffold! sometimes peaceably, sometimes after a Sir, I have from the beginning of these violent struggle,-but constantly giving discussions supported Reform, on two way before a nation which has been con­ grounds: first, because I believe it to be stantly advancing. It is not sufficient to in itself a good thing; and, secondly, be­ look merely at the form of government. cause I think the dangers of withholding We must look to the state of the public it to be so great, that ,even if it were mind. an evil, it would be the less of two evils. The worst tyrant that ever had his I shall not relinquish the hope that this neck wrung in modern Europe might have great contest may be conducted, by lawful passed for a paragon in Persia or Mor­ means, to a happy termination. But of" occo. Our Indian subjects submit pa­ this I am assured, that, by means lawful tiently to a monopoly of salt. We tried or unlawful, to a termination, happy or a stamp-duty-a duty so light as to be unhappy, this contest must speedily come. scarcely perceptible-on the fierce breed All that I know of the history of past of the old Puritans, and we lost an Em­ times, all the observations that I have pire! The government of Louis the Six­ been able to make on the present state of teenth was certainly a much better and the country, have convinced me that the milder government than that of Louis time has arrived when a great concession the Fourteenth: yet Louis the Fourteenth must be made to the democracy of En­ was admired, and even loved, by his peo­ gland that the question, whether the ple; Louis the Sixteenth died on the change be in itself good or bad, has be­ scaffold! Why? Because, though the come a question of secondary importance: government had made many steps in the that, good or bad, the thing must be career of improvement, it had not ad­ done; that a la.w as strong as the laws of vanced so rapidly as the nation. attraction and motion has decreed it. These things are written for our in­ I well know that history, when we look struction. There is a change in society. at it in small portions, may be so con­ There must be a corresponding change strued as to mean anything; that it may in the government. You may make the be interpreted in as many ways as a change tedious; you may make it violent; Delphic oracle. "The French revolution," you may-God, in his mercy, forbid!­ says one expositor, "was the effect of you may make it bloody; but avert it concession." "Not so," cries another; you "cannot. Agitations of the public "the French revolution was produced by mind, so deep and so long continued as the obstinacy of an arbitrary govern­ those which we have witnessed, do not ment." These controversies can never be end in nothing. In peace, or in convul­ brought to any decisive test or to any sion,-by the law, or in spite of the satisfactory conclusion. But, as I be­ law,-through the Parliament, or over lieve that history, when we look at it in the Parliament,-Reform must be carried. small fragments, proves anything or Therefore, be content to guide that move­ nothing, so I believe that it is full of use­ ment which you cannot stop. Fling wide ful and precious instruction when we the gates to that force which else will contemplate it in large portions,-when enter through the breach.

WHEN LABOR IS ORGANIZED.

Dun's Weekly Trade Review pays a increase." The organized workman is high tribute to organized labor. It says very little affected, because of his union that the increased cost of living being keeping .up the wages. Large employers beyond the increase in salaries do not have voluntarily increased organized la­ bear out the Bureau of Labor's ante-elec­ bor's wages commensurate with the in­ tion figures. creased cost of living, but they have not It also says that the unorganized work­ increased the unorganized laborer's pay. ers, such as stenographers, bookkeepers, The latter is, therefore, a great sufl'erer. mercantile clerl{s, "cannot cope with the -Trades Unionist. 'I.,

32 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER NON-UNION MEN A MENACE.

Are More to be Feared Than Employer or Any One Else.

HO are the greatest enemies of or­ manly self-respect bear to watch the ganized labor? The first impulse struggles of their union fellow-workmen would be to answer, "the corpora­ and accept the results and benefits accru­ ~ tions," "the trusts," or the employ­ ing from such struggles without lending ing classes generally. But is this so? Is a helping hand? it not rather the non-union workman? Every working man owes it to his self­ respect; he owes it to his fellow-work­ Who is it defeats every movement of man; to every thing he holds near and organized workmen to better conditions? dear, to join hands with the union of his It is not the employer that the union craft and do his share in the movement need fear when entering into a conflict, that means so much to all who toil. but those who are of the same condition Should he be in search of employment of life, and who would be equally bene­ he finds on every hand those eager to fitted by the success .of the union and as assist him, and should injustice be done members thereof. Every advance made him, just as eager to defend. and every advantage gained through the Come what will or may; it is much efforts of organized labor is shared by the better to feel that one is doing his part unorganized, who have been the greatest along with fellow-workmen to make the obstacles in the progress of the move­ world better than to, craven-like, accept ment. the benefits of others' efforts without How can men with the least spark of giving any aid.-Mine Worker.

WAVE OF TRADE UNIONISM UNQUESTIONABLY COMING.

It has been said that "there is a tide in those where a retreat has had to be made, the affairs of men which, taken at its the result can almost invariably be laid flood, leads on to fortune." As it is in to a lack of judgment or a lack of thor­ the affairs of men, so must it be in the ough organization. When the union was new affairs or organizations of men, for, as in everybody was enthusiastic, the meetings every other realm of nature, these organ­ were largely attended, members were con­ izations are subject to her immutable stantly on the lookout for new recruits laws, and must rise or fall as they ar~ and the tide was "at its flood." However, observed or violated. The labor organiza­ as soon as the novelty of the situation tion is no' exception to the rule, and can wore away, the enthusiasm began to fiag, profit by a study of her moods and of attendance decreased, and finally it was how to take advantage of them. sometimes impossible to secure a quorum. During the past few years trades unions Some unions and some unionists seem have been started to such a great and to think that as soon as their requests wide extent as to tax to the utmost the have been granted they can hibernate, capacity of the movement to assimilate like a bear in the p0lar regions, for more them. This has been an effect of existing than half a year. They forget that "eter­ conditions, rather than a cause. Monop­ nal vigilance is still the price of liberty." oly had raised the price of the necessaries Those who did not make large gains for­ of life to such an extent that the wage get that it does not take much to be an worker who had been given an increase equivalent to a year's dues and the effort in wages of 10 per cent., and a considera­ to attend an occasional meeting. In ble augmentation' of working time, act­ short, they did not take the tide "at its ually found that he was less able to flood." How could they expect to reap make both ends mf!et than during the any adequate reward? panic. The time then became :ripe for It may be stated here that the tide of organization, and it will be conceded that trades unionism is at the present time the harvest was large. Unions were unquestionably on the rise. A careful formed in crafts that had never known perusal of the labor papers from all parts the advantage of concerted action, and of the country will disclose the fact that wages were in most cases materially ad­ there is a feeling of optimism everywhere. vanced. Those who fell by the wayside, more or In a large majority of instances the less seriously wounded, are being picked positions taken have been firmly held. In up by the hospital corps (the trade union THE ELEOTRICAL WORKER 33

organizers and resusticated into renewed casional slice for good measure. We life and vigor. The true and tried war­ must remember that he has to sell his riors are still right on the firing line, goods in competition with the shark that and numerous hitherto impregnable po­ runs the scab shop. Many times he would sitions are being captured from the do more for us if he could. enemy. The worker who has a good employer There is every reason in the world to should take good care of him. This is feel encouraged at the present outlook, one of the best ways in the world to and the labor movement should place retain the union shop after we have got itself in shape to take the next tide "at it. The fair employer is a human being its flood" In the meantime, the order as well as the rest of us, and is simply should be to "closliJ ranks and forward doing the best he can under existing cir­ march." It is necessary, however, to cumstances. What we have got to show have a full quota of scouts in the field, his competitor is that he is losing money in order to ascertain the location and by not "being good." It is barely possi­ strength of the opposing forces, so that ble tbat in the not distant future all the traps of the wily antagonist may be shops will be "fair." Let unionists start avoided. the ball rolling by becoming fair them­ selves. "A fair day's work for a fair For the fair employer, we cannot say day's pay," and that day's pay spent for too much in his favor, and it is the duty union labeled goods-is it not possible of every unionist who has the welfare of that this would hasten the rising "tide, the movement at heart, to treat him with which, taken at its flood, leads on" to all the consideration that may be his pure and perfect brotherhood?-Fiano and due, and we can afford to throw in an oc- Organ Workers' Journal.

PAT ROONEY ON TROUBLE. FROM THE AMERICAN TELEPHONE JOURNAL. AT ROONEY a Cleveland lineman The wire chief delegated Pat on a case is much averse to admitting ignor­ of a swinging ground,' which. trouble Pat ance of any branch of telephone found readily enough, and, walking proud­ mwork. ly into the office where the telephone was He started as a full-fledged lineman located, he opened the bell box, looked "on a bluff," to use his own expression. over the apparatus very knowingly and "Sure," he afterwards remarked, "phwats blew into the transmitter as 'experts' are the sinse of alad star tin' as a grounds­ wont to do. "Yer tellifone's all right now, man fur $1.75 a day whin by only gettin' sur," he remarked to the mbscribeer, who a pair of spurs and lookin' rale tough he had been watching his every move. kin be after gittin' $2.85? Niver mind "What was wrong?" asked the sub­ about the climb in' business; ye can larn scriber. that as ye go along. To use wan of the "High insulation resistance," responded Cleveland Telephone Companie's mottos, Pat promptly. • 'There's a difference.' Look at me brother "I don't know what that is," said the Dinny in New York. There was the gos­ subscriber, suspiciously. soon for yeo I'll be blissed if he didn't "Sartinly ye don't," said Pat with a start out as a Frinch instructor for some look of superiority, "but if ye were a tell­ big bug family. Begorry, he didn't know ifone linesman ye'd understand it. Good as much Frinch as a dago, but that didn't day to ye, sur." worry Dinny. "-Tell, I tell ye phwat he done. The day before he was to start in­ "Just wait a minute," shouted the sub­ structing the kids, he goes to the Y. M. C. scriber, who had taken down the tele­ A. and takes his furst Iissen in French. phone receiver. "What is this scraping The next day he tached phwat he'd learn­ noise on the line? Here, listen for your­ ed to the kids, and no wan was iver the self." wIser. The last I heard of him he were Pat took the receiver, listened very in­ studying Frinch astronomy, be jaggers." tently for a few moments and, handing it It is related of Pat that one of the first back, replied: questions asked of him by the foreman "Don't bother yer head about that nise, was whether he could guy a pole. me good man. It's only sparrows picking "Begorry," Pat replied, "I've often b'uyed on the wire." a Dootchman, but niver worked wid anny "But it is much louder at times than it of thim Poles." is now," persisted the subscriber. One morning recently, after a heavy "Will, them'.s pigeons," argued Pat, rainstorm, several linemen were pressed without batting an eyelid. " Sure, sur, ye in to service to assist in clearing trouble. ought to be thankful ·ye ain't out WIst, Pat Rooney was one 0f the number, and where the aegles--" it was his first experience as a trouble­ But the subscriber had fled into the man. next office. 1;'1 34 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER GRAY'S ELEGY.

WRITTEN IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYA.BJ).

For more than a century and a half VII. this Elegy has kept it.s place as one ot Oft did the harvest to their sickle yield, the masterpieces of English verse. It has Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe the threefold charm of exquisite diction, has broke; musical versification, and appropriate How jocund did they drive their team sentiment. In consenting to its publica­ afield! tion the author wrote to Dodsley, the pub­ lisher, in 1751, "Print it without any in­ How bowed the woods beneath their terval oetween the stanzas, because the sturdy stroke! sense is in some places continued beyond them." Accordingly in the early editions VIII. it was printed, not in separated, but in Let not Ambition mock their useful toil, continuous stanzas. The stanzas which Their homely joys and destiny obscure; Gray regarded as continuous, here end Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful either with a colon, a semicolon, or a smile comma. The short and simple annals of the I. poor. The curfew tolls the knell of parting day, IX. The lowing herd winds slowly o'er" the The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, lea, And all that beauty, all that wealth, The plowman homeward plods his weary e'er gave, way, Await alike the inevitable hour. And leaves the world to darkness 'and The paths of glory lead but to the to me. grave. II. X. Now fades the glimmering landscape O!l Nor you .. ye proud, impute to these the the sight, fault, And all the air a solemn stillness holds, If Memory o'er their tomb no trophies Save where the beetle wheels his droning raise, flight, Where through the long-drawn aisle and And drowsy tinklings lull the distant fretted vault folds: The pealing anthem swells the note of III. praise. Save that from yonder ivy-mantled tower XI. The moping owl does to the moon com­ Can storied 'urn or animated bust plain Back to its mansion call the fleeting Of such as, wandering near her secret breath? bower, Can Honor's voice provoke the silent dust, Molest her ancient solitary reign. Or Flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death? IV. XII. Beneath those rugged elms, that yew­ Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid Some heart once pregnant with celes· tree's shade, tial fire; Where heaves the turf in many a Hands that the rod of empire might have mouldering heap, swayed, Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude forefathers of the hamlet Or waked to ectasy the living lyre: sleep. v. XIII. But Knowledge to their eyes her ample The breezy call of incense·breathing morn, page, The swallow twittering from the straw­ Rich with the spoils of time, did ne'er built shed, unroll; The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing Chill Penury repressed their noble rage, horn, And froze the genial current of the soul. No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed. XIV. VI. FulI many a gem of purest ray serene For them no more the blazing hearth The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean shall burn, bear; Or busy housewife ply her evening care; Full many a flower is born to blush No children run to lisp their sire's return, unseen, Or climb his knees, the envied kiss to And waste its sweetness on the desert share. air, ( ,. THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 35

xv. XXIII. Some village Hampden, that with daunt­ On some fond breast the parting soul less breast relies, The little tyrant of his fields with­ Some pious drops the clOSing eye re­ stood,- quires; Some mute, inglorious Milton,-here may Even from the tomb the voice of nature rest; cries, Some Cromwell, guiltless of his coun­ Even in our ashes live their wonted try's blood. fires. XVI. XXIV. For thee, who, mindful of the unhonored The applause of listening senates to com­ dead, mand. Dost in these lines their artless tale The threats of pain and ruin to despise, relate, To scatter plenty o'er a smiling land, If 'chance, by lonely contemplation led, And read their history in a nation's Some kindred spirit shall ill;quire thy eyes. fate,- XVII. xxv. Their lot forbade; nor circumscribed Haply some hoary-headed swain may say, alone "Oft have we seen him at the peep ot Their growing virtues, but their 'crimes dawn confined; Brushing with hasty steps the dews away, Forbade to wade through slaughter to a To meet the sun upon the upland lawn. throne, And shut the gates of mercy on man­ XXVI. kind;- "There, at the foot of yonder nodding XVIII. beech That wreaths its old fantastic roots so The struggling pangs of conscious truth high, to hide, His listless length at noontide would he To quench the blushes of ingenuous stretch, shame, And pore upon the brook that babIes by. Or heap the shrine of luxury and pride With incense kindled at the Muse's XXVII. flame. "Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in XIX. scorn, Far from the maddling crowd's ignoble Muttering his wayward fancies, would strife be rov~, Their sober wishes never learned to Now drooping, woful-wan, like one for­ stray; lorn, Along the cool, sequestered vale of life Or crazed with care, or crossed in hope­ They kept the noiseless tenor of their less love. way. XXVIII. xx. "One morn I missed him on the accus­ tomed hill, Yet even these bones from insult to pro­ Along the heath, and near his favorite tect, tree: Some frail memorial, still erected nigh, Another came,-nor yet beside the rill, With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculp­ Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood, was ture decked, he: Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. XXIX. "The next, with dirges due, in sad array, XXI. Slow through the churchway path we Their name, their years, spelt by the un­ saw him borne: lettered Muse, Approach and read (for thou canst read) ~he place of fame and elegy supply; the lay And many a holy text around she strews, Graved on the stone beneath yon aged To teach the rustic moralist to die. thorn." THE EPITAPH. XXII. XXX. For who, to dumb forgetfulness a prey, Here rests his head upon the lap of earth This pleasing, anxious being e'er re­ A youth to fortune and to fame un­ signed, known: Left the warm precincts of the cheerful Fair Science frowned not on his humble day, birth, Nor cast one longing, lingering look And Melancholy marked him for her I behind? own. 36 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

XXXI. XXXII. Large was his bounty, and his soul sin­ No further seek his merits to disclose, cere; Or draw his frailties from their dread Heaven did a recompense as largely abode, send; He gave to misery (all he had) a tear, (There they alike in trembling hope reo He gained from heaven (,t was all he pose,) wished) a friend. The bosom of his Father and his God.

THE FARMERS AND THE LABOR UNIONS.

EQUITY PRESS BUREAU.

INCE the world was, and since some freely meet the demands for consumption. men produced in one line and oth­ To accomplish this the organized farmers ers in another, those who produced and organized laborers are uniting to es· ~ food stuff and those who consumed tablish Business Exchanges in all the it have been thought to be enemies-one great cities and' centers of consumption. striving for a higher price and the other Food 'products will be shipped directly to for a lower price for the same commodi­ these exchanges, whence the retail dealers ties. It was thought impossible to recon­ and grocerymen will receive their stock cile the fact that the farmers made more and supply their customers with scarcely money when farm products were high, a ripple on the stream of business. The and that the wage laborers saved more great advantage will be in cutting out the money when farm products were low. profit there is in speculatiBg market methods and insuring to both producers But since the organization of the So­ and consumers equitable prices. A more ciety of Equity, farmer!? have been study­ important movement has not been inau­ ing as they never studied before, and on gurated within the memory of this gene" lines that were never before presented to ation. ' them. They have learned that the wage labor­ The new doctrine first took form at ers are their principal customers, and Minneapolis when the American Federa­ without them their products must rot in tion of Labor and the American Society the fields. They have learned also that of Equity clapsed hands on common the better wages the laborers receive the ground. It has now crystalized in action more can they consume of farm products recently taken at Chicago between repre­ and the better prices can they pay for sentatives of these two great bodies as them. exemplified below. Having learned these things, the farm­ The first document is a declaration of ers were prompt to bring it before the facts and a statement of the needs of such wage earners, which they did at the great action, with an outline of how it can be International Convention of the Ameri­ done, made by a preliminary committee can Federation of Labor at Minneapolis of the Chicago Federation of Labor. Then last fall. comes a constitution formulated by a The laborers were as prompt to catch joint conference of the two great orders the idea as the farmers had been, and representing the two great classes of pro· realized that the farmers were their best duction and consumption, and approved customers; that without the patronage of by the Executive Board of the Chicago. the farmers every shop and factory would Federation of Labor, establishing "The close or run on very short time, and the Equity Exchange of Chicago," whose ob­ laborers would be out of employment; ject is to secure such distribution of farm also that, when the farmers get good products as shall bring more steady and prices for their products they are able to equitable prices to farmers, and, by elim­ buy more of labor's products and thus inating market graft, supply organized stimulate all the industries. laborers at lower prices than they are now compelled to pay. An efficient com­ Here was common ground on which mittee was apPOinted to work out the de­ both classes could stand, a ground of tails and establish the Exchange. Steps mutual interest and personal friendship, were also taken to establish such ex­ and they clasped hands. changes in all the great cities and centers It only remained to devise a means to of consumption. The UllIon between these safely adjust prices so that each should great organizations, it must be under" be benefited. The plan of the Society of stood, is not organic, but purely co-opera­ Equity was adopted-that of the farmers tive; and it is the glp.atest movement, themselves fixing the minimum prices on more pregnant with great economic re­ their products and then supplying the sults than any movement that has been market, not in gluts, but to fully and inaugurated within the centuries. °1o_~

'-~, THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 37

HE following editorial from The cuse their most honorable leaders of the ,r: Dayton Daily News, the leading vilest crimes-that man is breeding a D paper in the city of Dayton, 0., we state of affairs that bodes no good. believe will be of interest to our This speech of Kirby's reads like A. readers. It indicates a change of senti­ C. Marshall. Marshall is by far the ment in that community, and is a good brighter of the two men, but his reputa­ size-up of John Kirby, who has long been tion is such that neither laboring man nor trying to play the role made infamous by loafer would pay any attention to what such characters as Parry, Post and Van he says. With Kirby as his mouthpiece, Cleave. however, he may do a good deal of dam­ KIRBY'S SPEECH. age. Kirby and Marshall have virtually had the industrial situation in Dayton in "Editor Daily News: "I am anxious to know why The Daily hand for some time, and the result is that News did not print the speech made by they have not benefitted anything or any­ Mr. John Kirby the other day. Can you body but themselves-the one getting a tell me why The News happened to over­ little notoriety and his name frequently in print, and the other what money he look the matter? "Curious. coul~, out of the game. "Dayton, 0., April 20." If the labor unions are as much of an The Daily News did not overlook the evil as Kirby says they are, he is still matter. There were several reasons suffi­ not upon the right track. If they are the cient unto The Daily News, however, why most corrupt institutions in this country the speech was not printed. In the first they can not be suppressed, nor their place there was nothing new in it. It members intimidated by misrepresenta­ wa,s the same tiresome string of platitudes tions and threats such as Marshall forms and denunciation which Mr. Kirby has and Kirby utters. If the unions are been delivering whenever he got a chance wrong, strong men should be reasoning for several years. It was not worth the with the members, showing them the error space it would have occupied. of their way. Weaklings should not be permitted to go about stirring up hatred Further, The Daily News has no sym­ and array,jJ:J.g the members against persons pathy with the methods of Mr. Kirby. who are ";ot members. There is a right The gentleman is a successful business way and a wrong way to go about eradi­ man, and so long as the shoemaker sticks cating evils, and no evil was ever eradi­ to his last he is a useful member of so­ cated by wild-eyed misrepresentations or ciety. But should the shoemaker conceive threats. the Idea that he is fitted for something else than shoemaking, then he may make Just take the case of Samuel Gompers, a miserable failure. for instance. Mark Hanna thought well enough of him to consult him upon all oc­ During a strike in this city several casions, and to make him an officer in his years ago, Mr. Kirby gained considerable own organization. Wllliam McKinley notoriety. He was brought into promi­ thought well enough of him to- say that nence that might have proved a good op­ he was one of the cleanest, ablest men portunity for a strong man. But Mr. this country had ever produced. Theodore Kirby, not being a strong man, seems to Roosevelt thinks well enough of him to have been puffed up by his notoriety, and invite him to the White House every week, in a vainglorious attempt to achieve fame to consult with him, to sit beside him and as the great arbiter of labor and capital, seek his counsel. The International Peace or rather in an attempt to bring about a conference, with Andrew Carnegie as new condition of affairs in things indus­ President, thinks well enough of Samuel trial he has, in the language of the small Gompers to make him Vice President un­ boys, slopped over. It doesn't require der Andrew Carnegie. The laboring peo­ much water to overfiow a small tub. ple of this country so love him that they There is a serious reason why The would be willing to lay down their lives Daily News does not exploit John Kirby. for him. Think you that it is a good It believes him to be a dangerous menace thing for John Kirby to stand before an to Dayton. It believes that instead of audience and denounce Samuel Gompers settling any kind of la:bor trouble, he is as an abettor of murder, a dishonorable only a cheap disturber, and, that Dayton, - creature, and so on? Think you that a if he is permitted to run wild, will sooner man who would do such a thing can have or later have to pay for 'his foolishness. any influence in settllng labor troubles? The laboring people of this city, whether Think you that the laboring people are union or non-union, are not thugs and such poor fools as not to feel rankling in murderers. Neither are they fools. their breasts after reading Kirby's speech Neither can they be intimidated by idle °a hatred that turns reason out of the threats, nor scared into doing any man's mind? bidding by loud talk. For a man to stand The sooner the manufacturers of Day­ before an audience and denounce union ton learn that Kirby and Marshall are a men as thugs and murderers. and to ac- pair of disturbers, fomenting strife, en- \1 38 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

genderlng discontent, encouraging hate, they should be checked. The Daily News the ,better It w1ll be for the manufactur­ is doing Its part to check tnem by refus­ ers. Dayton does not want a .relgn of ing to print Kirby's speech, and the man­ terror, and the workingmen here are not ufacturers can check Marshall by cutting the kind of workingmen to bring about a of! the revenue he is getting out of the· reign of terror. But there Is a limit to deal. the endurance of even "Workingmen, and these violent outbursts of Kirby and We trust that "Curious" will see the Marshall will, unless checked, point to wisdom of The Daily News in refusing that end. And they can be checked, and to print the address.

SCENES FROM THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP.

CHARLES DICKENS.

HE dull red glow of a wood-fire­ "This is another! How many of these for no lamp or candle burnt with­ spirits therE' have been tonight!" D in the room-showed him a fig­ "No spirit, master; no one but your ure, seated on the hearth with its old servant. You know me now, I am back towards him, bending over the fitful sure? Miss Nell-where is she? where light. The attitude was that of one who is she?" sought the heat. It was, and yet was ~ot. "They all say that!" cried the old man. The stooping posture and the cowermg "They all ask the same question. A form were there; but no hands were spirit." stretched out to meet the grateful "Where is she?" demanded Kit. "Oh! warmth, no shrug or shiver compared tell me but that,-but that, dear master!" its luxury v!:ith the piercing cold outsIde. With limbs huddled together, hea.d bowed "She is asleep--yonder-in there." down arms crossed upon the breast, and "Thank God!" finge~S tightly clinched, it rocked to and "Ay, thank God!" returned the old fro upon its seat without a moment's man. "I have prayed to him many. and pause, accompanying the action with the many a livelong night when she has been mournful sound he had heard. asleep, he knows. Hark! Did she call?" The heavy door had closed behind him "I heard no voice." on his entrance with a crash that ma~e "You did. You hear her now. Do you him start. The figure neither spoke, nor tell me that you don't hear thaU" turned to look, nor gave in any other way the faintest sign of having heard the He started up, and listened again. noise. The form was that of an old man, "Nor that?" he cried with a triumphant his white head akin in color to the mold­ smile. "Can anybody know that voice ering embers upon which he gazed. He, so well as I? Hush! hush!" and the failing light and dying fire, the Motioning to him to be silent, he stole time-worn room, the solitude, the wasted away into another chamber. After a life and gloom, were all in fellowship,­ short absence (during which he could be ash~s and dust and ruin! heard to speak in a softened, soothing Kit tried to speak, and did pronounce tone), he returned, bearing in his hand some words; though what they were he a lamp. scarcely knew. Still the same terrible "She is still asleep!" he whispered. low cry went on; still the same rocking "You were right. She did not calL unle8lI in the chair; the same stricken figure she did so in her slumber. SIre lias was there, unchanged, and heedless of his called to me in her sleep before now, sir. presence. As I have sat by, watching, I have seen He had his hand upon the latch, when her lips move; and have known, though something in the form-distinctly seen no sound came from them, that she spoke as one log broke and fell, and, as it fell, of me. I feared the light might dazzle blazed up-arrested it. He returned to her eyes and wake her: so I brought it where he had stood before; advanced a here. pace-another-another still. Another, He spoke rather to himself than to the and he saw the face. Yes! changed as visitor; but, when he had put the lamp it was, he knew it well. upon the table, he took it up, as if im­ "Master!" he cried, stooping on one pelled by something momentary recollec­ knee, and catching at his hand,-"dear tion or curiosity, and held it near his face. master! Speak to me!" Then, as if forgetting his motive in the The old man turned slowly toward him, very action, he turned away, and put it and muttered in a hollOW voice,- down again. I \,. ~ THE ELEOTRICAL WORKER 39

"She is sleeping soundly," he said, "but tage to replenish the exhausted lamp at no wonder. Angelhands have strewn the the moment when Kit came up and found ground deep with snow, that the highest the old man alone. footstep may be lighter yet; and the very He softened again at sight of these two birds are dead, that they may not wake friends, and, laying aside the angry man­ her. She used to feed them, sir. Though ner (if to anything so feeble and so sad never so cold and hungry, the timid the term can be applied) in which he had things would fly from us. They never spoken when the door opened, resumed flew from her!" his former seat, and subsided by little and Again he stopped to listen, and, scarcely little into the old action, and the old, drawing breath, listened for a long, long dull, wandering sound. time. That fancy past, he opened an old Of the strangers he took no heed what­ chest, took out some clothes as fondly as ever. He had seen them, but appeared if they had been living things, and began quite incapable of interest or curiosity. to smooth and brush them with his The younger brother stood apart. The hand. bachelor drew a chair towards the old "Why dost thou lie so idle there, dear man, and sat down close beside him. Nell," he murmured, "when there are After a long silence, he ventured to bright red berries out of doors waiting speak. for thee to pluck them? Why dost thou "Another night, and not in bed? he lie so idle there, when thy little friends said softly. "I hoped you would be more come creeping to the door, crying, 'Where mindful of your promise to me. Why do is Nell, sweet Nell?' and sob and weep you not take some rest?" because they do not see thee? She was always gentle with children. The wild· "Sleep has left me," returned the old est would do her bidding. She had a man. "It is all with her." tender way with them; indeed she had." "It would pain her very much to know Kit had no power to speak. His eyes that you were watching thus," said the were filled with tears. bachelor. "Yon would not give her "Her little homely dress, her favorite," pain?" cried the old man, pressing it to his "I am not so sure of that, if it would breast, and patting it with his shriveled only rouse her. She has slept so very hand. "She will miss it when she wakes. long! And yet I am rash to say so. It They have hid it here in sport: but she is a good and happy sleep, eh?" shall have it; she shall have it. I would "Indeed it is!" returned the bachelor; not vex my darling for the wide world's "indeed, indeed, it is!" riches. See here,-these shoes, how worn "That's well. And the waking?" fal­ they are! She kept them to remind her tered the old man. of our last long journey. You see where the little feet went bare upon the ground. "Happy too,-happier than tongue can They told me afterwards that the stones tell, or heart of man conceive." had cut and bruised them. She never They watched him as he rose and stole told me that. No, no, God bless her! on tiptoe to the other chamber where the And I have remembered since, she walked lamp had been replaced. They listened behind me, sir, that I might not see how as he spoke again within its silent walls_ lame she was but yet she had my hand They looked into the faces of each other; in hers, al'd seemed to lead me still." and no man's cheek was free from tearb. He pressed them to his lips, and, hav­ He came back, whispering that she was ing carefully put them back again, went still asleep, but that he thought she had on communing with himself, looking moved. It was her hand, he said,-a wistfully from time to time towards the little, a very, very little; but he was chamber he had lately visited. pretty sure she had moved it,-perhaps in seeking his. He had known her do "She wa,'l not wont to be a lie-abed; that before now, though in the deepest but she was well then. We must have sleep the while. And, when he had said patience. When she is well again, she this, he dropped into his chair again, and, will rise early, as she used to do, and clasping his hands above his head, uttered ramble abroad in the healthy morning­ a cry never to be forgotten. time. I often tried to track the way she had gone; but her small footstep left no The poor schoolmaster motioned to the print upon the dewy ground to guide me. bachelor that he would come on the other Who is that? Shut the door. Quick! side, and speak to him. They gently un­ Have we not enough to do to drive away locked his fingers, which he haa twisted that marble cold, and keep her warm?" in his gray hair, and pressed them in The door was indeed opened for the their own. entrance of Mr. Garland and his friend, "He will hear me," said the school­ accompanied by two other persons. These master, "I am sure. He will hear either were the schoolmaster and the bachelor. me or you if we beseech him. She would The former held a light in his hand. He at all times." \ had, it seemed, but gone to his own cot- "I will hear any voice she liked to 40 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER hear," cried the old man. "I love all she witness his unchanging truth, and mind­ loved." fulness of bygone days,-whole years of "I know you do," returned the school­ desolation. Give me but one word ot master: "I am certain of it. Think ot recognition, brother; and never-no, her; think of all the sorrows and affiic­ never in the brightest moment of our tions you ·have shared together, of all youngest days, when, poor sIlly boys, we the trials and all the peaceful pleasures thought to pass our lives together-have you have jointly known." we been half as dear and precious to "I do; I do. I think of nothing else." each other as we shall be from this time hence." "I would have you think of nothing else tonight,-of nothing but those things The old man looked from face to face, which will soften your heart, dear friend, and his lips' moved; but no sound came and open it to old a1'l'ections and old times. from them in reply. It is so that she would speak to you her­ "If we were knit together then," pur­ self; and in her name it is that I speak sued the younger brother, "what will be now." the bond between us now! Our love and "You do well to speak softly," said the fellowship began in childhood, when life old man. "We will not wake her. I was all before us; and will be resumed should be glad to see her eyes again, and when we have proved it, and are but to see her smile. There is a smile upon children at the last. As many restless her young face now; but it is fixed and spirits who have hunted fortune, fame, changeless. I would have it come and go. of pleasure, through the world, retire in That shall be in Heaven's good time. We their decline to where they first drew will not wake her." breath, vainly seeking to be children once again before they die; so we, less fortu­ "Let us not talk of her in her sleep, nate than they in early life, but happier but as she used to be when you were in its closing scenes, will set up our rest journeying together, far away; as she again among our boyish haunts, and go­ was at home, in the old house from ing home with no hope realized that had which you fled together; as she was in its growth in manhood, carrying back ihe oid cheerfui time," said the school­ nothing that we brought away but our master. old yearnings to each other, saving no. "She was always cheerful, very cheer­ fragment from the wreck of life but that ful," cried the old man, looking stead­ which first endeared it, may be, indeed, fastly at him. "There was ever some­ but children as at first. And even," he thing mild and quiet about her, I remem­ added in an altered voice,-"even if what ber, from the first; but she was of a hap­ I dread to name has come to pass,­ py nature." even if that be so, or is to be, (which "We have heard you say," pursued the Heaven forbid and spare us!) still, dear schoolmaster, "that in this, and in all brother, we are not apart, and have that goodness, she was like her mother. You comfort in our great affiiction." can think of and remember her?" By little and little, the old man had He maintained his steadfast look, but drawn back towards the inner chamber gave no answer. while these words were spoken. He "Or even one before her?" said the pointed there as he replied with tremb­ bachelor. "It is many years ago, and ling lips,- affiiction makes the time longer; but you , "You plot among you to wean my heart have not forgotten her whose death con­ from her. You never will do that; never tributed to make this child so dear to while I have life! I have no relative or you, even before you knew her worth, or friend but her; I never had; I never will could read her heart? Say that you could have. She is all in all to me. It is too carry back your thoughts to very distant late to part us now." days,-to the time of your early life, when, unlike this fair flower, you did not Waving them 01'1' with his hand, and pass your youth alone. Say that you calling softly to her as he went, he stole could remember, long ago, another chITd into the room. They who were left be­ who loved you dearly; you being but a hilld drew close together, and, after a child yourself. Say that you had a few whispered words (not unbroken by brother, long forgotten, long unseen, long emotion, or easily uttered), followed him. separated from you, who now at last, in They moved so gently, that their foot­ your utmost need, came back to comfort steps made no noise; but there were sobs and console you"- from among the group, and sounds of gripf and mourning. "To be to you what you were once to him," cried the younger, falling on his For she was dead. TheIe, upon her knee before him; "to repay your old little bed, she lay at rest. The solemn a1'l'ection, brother dear, by constant care, stillness was no marvel now. solicitude, and love; to be, at your right She was dead. No sleep so beautiful hand, what he has never ceased to be and calm, so free from trace of pain, so when oceans rolled between us; to call to fair to look upon. She seemed a creature '''1

THE ELEOTRICAL WORKER 41 fresh from the hand of God, and waiting dying boy, there had been the same mild, for the breath of life; not one who had lovely look. So shall we know the angels lived, and suffered death. in their majesty after death. Her couch was dressed with here and The old man held one languid arm in there some winter-berries and green his, and had the small hand tight folded leaves gathered in a spot she had been to his breast for warmth. It was the used to favor. "When I die, put near me hand she had stretched out to him with something that has loved the light, and her last smile,-the hand that led him had the sky above it always." Those on through all their wanderings. Ever were her words. and anon, he pressed it to his lips; then She was dead. Dear, gentle, patient, hugged it to his breast again, murmuring noble Nell was dead. Her little bird, a that it was warmer now; and, as he said it, he looked in agony to those who stood poor slight thing the pressure of a finger around, as if imploring them to help her. would have crushed, was stirring nimbly in its cage; and the strong heart of its She was dead, and past all help, or need child-mistress was mute and motionless of it. The ancient rooms she had seemed forever. to fill with life, even while her own was waning fast; the garden she had tended; Where were the traces of her early the eyes she had gladdened; the noiseless cares, her sufferings, and fatigues? All haunts of many a thoughtful hour; the gone. Sorrow was dead indeed in her; paths she had trodden as it were but yes­ but peace and perfect happiness were t'

LABOR'S WEAPONS. Slowly, but surely, the world is begin­ He boycotts. Yes, but he learned the ning to understand the labor movement, use of that weapon from the cruel black­ and with that understanding comes each list-the blacklist that made him an in­ day a larger measure of co-operation and dustrial outcast, that denied him the sympathy from the other classes. right to be the breadwinner and sent him But there are still those who can not away from his home with the wail of his or will not see the workingman's move­ child and the sobs of his wife breaking ment as it is intended by him to be, his heart. therefore he is periodically denounced. The striker is but a rebel. The rebel He is a striker, they say. So he is, but has been the torch-bearer of civilization not until he has been arrogantly told since man realized he had a soul.-At­ that there is nothing to arbitrate. lanta Constitution.

TOO MUCH TALK. Undoubtedly a great part of the mis­ There are many cruel battles in which chief which has cursed the world since the weapons are "looks like daggers and the beginning has been done by too much words like blows" duels in which there talking. Where no fuel is, the fire soon is no bloodshed, but the wounds of which goes out. Where no tale bearer is, the are not to be healed by any amount of strife soon ceaseth. Had our first parent, subsequent remorse or repentance. old Mother Eve, not paused to parley with There is much truth in the saying that the serpent, paradise would have never a strong character never is entirely un­ been lost, and thenceforth all through derstood, and therefore, it often is possi­ history, idle words have been among the ble for those who are lacking in strength agencies which have turned the fate of to gain credit therefor by a judicious nations. A word once spoken can never amount of reserve. It is a mistake to be be recalled. Alas for the times when too communicative, even to one's inti­ men and women bewail themselves in mates. Confidence to strangers is idiocy. bitterness of spirit over the careless word To unravel one's self, as it were, is scarce meant to be unkind which had so to explain one's personal magnetism.­ much better be left unsnid. Stronghold. 4.2 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER HOW IS YOUR BACKBONE?

T IS a bad thing to have a weak Men with backbone. Is there any busi­ back. All the nerves of the body, ness any where that is running unless D nearly, have their starting place somewhere there are a few brave souls along the spine. A good share of that have plenty of faith and lots of the muscles are in some way or other backbone? You can think of none. You hinged to the backbone. Whatever hurts never will. Backbone makes the world the bacl~, hurts the whole body. From move. blows in the breast, or upon almost any There is no place in the world for the other part of the body one may recover, man that is weak in the back. There is but a severe blow anywhere upon the plenty of room for him in the earth, but back will put a man out of the fight none on it. quickly. But what if a man is naturally weak Backbone seems to be missing in a as to the spinal column? Then let him . great many people in these days. "I do make the most of what he has and work hate to say 'No.''' Did you ever hear hard for more. It is the man that hath men say that? Thousands of young men that shall have more. Small though the go down to ruin, just because they are portion may be at the beginning, the asked to do what they know to be wrong store may be enlarged by cultivation. and have not the backbone to say "Ex- The man that is willing to stiffen up the cuse me." backbone he has with straps and braces A good share of the crookedness in to steady him till he gains more, will business comes just that way. Somebody surely see that the promise is being veri­ was urged to do a mean thing, and had fied to him. One good solid "No" in the not the manhood to say, "Get out!" In day of temptation is worth a thousand days to come, when exposure stares them weak "I'd like to accommodate you!" in the face, these weaklings go out and hang themselves or go by the pistol route Heaven help the man that says, "I rather than havo it knoVv"n that they ha.ve can't help it. T want to be a good fellow. weak backs. I hate to make my chums feel bad by re­ fusing. So I keep in with them!" But how we honor- the man with the strong backbone! We get up close to Being a good fellow lays the train him and try to absorb some of the fire which will one day blow the best mean­ that makes him such a power. We feel ing man sky high. There is nothing in the inspiration of his life and for a time heaven or on earth for the man that the world thinks we ourselves are won­ stakes his all on being a good fellow. derful men, just because we are absorb· Backbone, young man! Backbone is ing a bit of moral strength from the the thing to cultivate. All the best things giant at the head of the procession. of life are ready for the man who has Who are the men that are carrying it. Nothing for the one who lacks it.­ this nation on their shoulders today? Spare Moments.

"MAKING GOOD." The fellow who hurries and worries and But he pales and he quails, and his ener­ flurries, gy fails, And rushes and gushes and rants; And he couldn't win out if he would; Who chases and races through all public For he sighs and he cries at the vanish­ places, ing prize, With his eyes ever on the main chance, When it comes to the test-"Making Will blunder, then wonder when he has Good." gone under, Why he all the shocks never stood. The fellow who's ready and sturdy and steady; But he failed, for he paled and he shiv­ Who hustles and rustles and learns; ered and quailed, Acts honestly, fairly, uprightly and When it came to the test-"Making squarely- good." That fellow success quickly earns. Let him win it-that minute he will be The halter and trimmer may catch a strictly in it, faint glimmer And meet every test as he should. Of smiles and of wiles of Dame Chance. He will work like a Turk, and a duty In his dreaming and scheming may catch ne'er shirk, a faint gleaming, And go right ahead "Making good." Of a goal that his eyes will entrance. -The Commoner. :.f:

THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 43 HOW THEY REASON.

There are men outside the ranks of pendence is a mere wordy vapor. Or­ organized labor who refuse to join, be­ ganized with his fellows, he has an oppor­ cause, as they say, "they want to work tunity to have a say regarding his -own where they will, when they want to, as labor, but alone he is as helpless as a long as they want to, and for what they sapling on a moor in a tempest. Many a want to." They greatly prize their inde­ good man outside of organized labor pendence. Some of these men are accept­ clings to this idea of personal independ­ ing the hours and wages created by organ­ ence (which he believes he would lose if ized labor without assisting in any way he joined a union) and is used by his to further the cause of organized labor. brainier fellow man, who urges this idea The man who insists that he will not join a upon his continually. It is impossible labor union because he wants to work where, to understand this type of man, but it is when, as long and forwhathewantsto,isa difficult to get an angle on a man who will joker. Where can a man be found who take a fellow worker's place when offered can do it? A man who is compelled to a premium to do so, in order to starve earn his living by hard work must accept his fellow into submission. No lower work when and where and on such terms animal hunts of its own kinds.-Gray's as he can secure it. His boasted inde- Harbor Post.

ADVANCE.

Stay not too long in curious thought, The waves will calm, the mild winds Plunge into act and know blow, That fate, with lesser doubt is fraught Lo! yonder is the isle in sight Than your first trepidations show; Whither your better hopes would go, Stay not near the friendly shore. And farther, rising from the night, Trust all upon the instant's throw. New peaks within the new sun's glow! Boldly strike out, and more and more -L. J. Block, in Ohio State Journal.

LIFE.

We are born; we laugh; we weep; Why do our fond hearts cling We love; we droop; we die. To things that die? Ah! wherefore do we laugh or wee!?? Why do we live or die? We toil-through pain and wrong; Who knows that secret deep? We fight-and fiy; Alas, not I! We love; we lose; and then, ere long, Why doth the violet spring, Stone dead we Ile. Unseen by human eye? o life! is all thy song Why do the radiant seasons bring "Endure and-die?" Sweet thoughts that quickly fiy? -Byron Waller Proctor. l l 44 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

CORRESPONDENCE

Local Union No. 21. In the meantime I would not advise any EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: of the brothers to come here as there is As our Local has not had a line in the really nothing doing and we have our WORKER for some time, owing to sickness hands full caring for the brothers who of Bro. Mack our press secretary, I have are here. been elected to write and to let the Hoping to be able to write the brothers brothers of other locals know how we are better news next month, I remain, getting along. Work around here is very Yours fraternally, slack, none of the companies are doing THEo. H. WOTOCHEK. any new work, mostly repairing and only Philadelphia, Pa., April 1, 1907. such repairing as is absolutely necessary, they all have laid oft men lately and there Local Union No. 23. are no Signs that there will be anything EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: doing for some time to come. What the The American Bell Telephone Co. and real reasons are I cannot tell, but the fact the Independent Telephone Co. of St. remains that good deal of work should Paul, Minn., are discharging all union be done by the companies to their anti­ linemen excepting those they can in­ quated systems which they operate now duce to drop their card. They have also and which are a menace to public safety reduced the wages going so far as to cir­ and a disgrace lo a city beautiful. When culate a printed circular stating that first I write about the menace I mean the class linemen will receive a wage of fifty many miles of death wires and thousands to Sixty dollars a month. of pushguys which have done service Toll line crews are being paid at the once and are left hanging until they rate of twenty-five to thirty-five dollars break by age and their own weight across per month for ten hours per day. high tension wires: result, see daily They also contemplate in the near fut· papers. It is a disgrace and eyesore to ure working all men ten hours per day on the architect, the painter, the sculptor or the job. Installers are receiving a wage to any intelligent man to see miles of of twenty to forty dollars per month. poles, black and slimy with the dirt and This with ten hours of labor may look dust of years and with cross arms point­ like a good proposition to the average ing three ways to heaven, line our telephone employee, especially when con­ streets and mar the eftect which the Sidering that you must destroy your card above mechanics and others tried to pro­ in order to hold your job. "., duce that is to make this city of brother· Trusting this will appear in the next ly love as beautiful as any, but I sup­ issue of the WORKER, I am, pose it will be years before this will hap· Yours fraternally, pen. WM. E. CRONQllST, The strike against the Bell is in its Recording Secretary. tenth month now and is still on, good St. Paul, Minn., April 9, 1907. . m'any of the boys have left the city and the few that are left will do so at the Local Union No. 24. earliest opportunity. We have had but EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: few desertions of practical men, mostly It has been some time since the WORK' fellows who had no confidence in them­ ER has had anything regarding the con­ selves or who could not make a living at ditions in this part of the country. Since anything else. Good many of the brothers our friendly little engagement with the have branched out into new trades and employers a year ago conditions, for a several of them have assured me that true union man, have been going from they have given up linework for good as bad to worse. We had a lot of foremen they can make just as much money at and straw bosses with weak intellects, their new avocations as they did at line­ who, by tearing up their cards, were per· work with less risk to life and limb. mitted by the companies, to scab. It has been decided by some of the boys The Bell have men working for $45 and to make another effort to see if the strike $50 per month, 9 hours per day, on the cannot be settled, as there had been job, and carry their dinners with them. rumors lately that the company would We are expecting, when it gets warmer, meet some of its former employees with to have to buy blankets and sleep on the a view of settling the misunderstanding. job. i

THE ELEOTRICAL WORKER 45

The Tri-State is better to the men they Universe seems to be at a stand still, but have, giving practically the same as last will say there is lots of work to do but year, but the home guards not already on nobody knows when the companies expect stand little show of getting in on this. to commence to do it. Any card man coming this way is Bro. McOdrom has bettered his condi­ sure of getting something, such as it. is, tion by accepting a position with the in preference to men here on the ground. B. & O. Electrical Dept. Success to you There should be a lot of work this spring Mac. Several good card brothers has but cannot say what it will be until later. paid us a visit in the past two months, The Soo. intends to send out a crew in amongst them were Bros. Jack Goodwin the near future and this ought to be a and J. Welch. The brothers felt very sor­ fair thing as they want good work done. ry to hear of the death of Wm. McKin­ There is some outside influence at work stry-falling off a pole in Mahanay City, for every scab in the State of Iowa with Pa. Bro. D. Hill and Bro. H. Hill have all the young boys who ever saw a picture both started in the saloon business. The of a pole are coming here in twos and brothers extend a hearty welcome to all gangs of seven or eight expecting that good card men to call around and see they have nothing to do but select the them. I am still proud to say that we job that suits them best and be put at are still adding a new light to our circuit the head of the pay roll. They may get every now and then. There seems to be it, but those on the ground fail to see inquiries every day as to when they ex­ and cannot understand where they are pect to start the electrical work on the getting the dope from. trolley job between Baltimore and Wash­ We understand that the W. U. boys are ington. Well at present nobody seems to to get an increase of 10 per cent the first know but as soon as they do, I'll let the of the month, the operators getting theirs brothers know through our WORKER. They last month. are only laying the road bed and doing Some of the boys working for the North the bridge work at the present time. American were paid off last time at the Well, as I don't want to take up too rate of single time for Sunday instead of much space in the WORKER with my letter double as has been the rule heretofore. and trust the editor will find a place for This must have been done through error it instead of the waste basket, but before as the company is in connection with the closing I will say Hello to the old war Postal Telegraph which has always been horse, H. T. Morgan of L. U. 263, and fair. the same to Wm. Hall, at present work­ The General Electric is trying to get a ing in Butte, Montana, but was sorry to new franchise from the city still they are hear of you losing your dearest friend in coming to the front with an application the world-your mother and father. blank to be signed that is certainly the N ow I wish success to all struggling limit. You have to give a record of your sister locals in their struggle of bettering ancestors with character, commencing condiuons and all members of the 1. B. where Darwin leaves off and including E. W.. I remain, your offspring; you also promise to con­ Yours fraternally, tinue in their employ regardless of condi­ WH. H. GREEN, tions until they get through with you. Press Secretary. There are many and various requests that Baltimore, Md., April 22, 1907. you are to promise to obey, but there are no promises on the first part. Local Union No. 37. Trusting that conditions will be better EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: and everybody working before you get this, I will close for this time. On assuming my new position, with per­ Minneapolis, Minn., April· 15, 1907. mission on one of your valuable pages I will attempt to enlighten the Brothers what the Connecticut District Council is Local Union No. 27. doing and trying to accomplish. We think it would be well for possibly :bJDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: all states to form Councils, as working Well, as the sun is commencing to get conditions vary in the several states. high and shine on both sides of the fence, Another thing too, which is possibly a I also think it is about time to get an­ secondary consideration, it would be the other letter in our worthy journal and elimination of much expense as is fre­ trust the brothers will feel satisfied and quently seen, for instance in the New not live under the impression that the England District Council you will see a Press Secretary has been kidnapped or number of locals without any representa­ strayed to parts unknown as some of the tion. brothers thought so, I will ask to be ex­ A serious proposition confronts us and cused for neglecting to get a letter in that is the raising of money. A short the WORKER the past two months. time ago the different locals throughout Well, work around this section of the this state subscribed $125.00 by assessing 46 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER different ones in proportion to their mem­ naturally better conditions for the mem­ bership. bers would then take an interest in its The results accomplished with this laws and if not narrow minded would small amount of money was most gratify­ abide by them, recognizing that it was ing. A special organizer from our own for his own advancement. ranks was put into the field in one of the Los Angeles is considered by authori­ hardest localities in the state, and their ties on the subject as one of the worst delegate present at the meeting Sunday, organized spots in America and organizers said the membership of his Local was innumerable will not contest to point with eighty. the natural results that wages are low It appeals to us if part of the per. capita and living high, some company's paying paid, was paid into a state fund for the as low as $3.00 per 10 hours for linework. maintaining of a state business agent, As inducements for the non-unionist in also to take up special organizing in con­ the electrical trade circulates literature junction with his other duties. Hoping and offers unusual sick benefits while for to hear from the other State Councils, if its members entertainments and baseball there are any in existence through your the last named being for the purpose of columns, I remain, bringing our members clos~ together and Fraternally yours, also cementing the ties of friendship with JOHN J. McNAMARA. other labor organizations for they all Press Sec. Conn. State Council. have their teams and consider it in the same light as ourselves that the trophy is not the cup put up by our labor paper, Local Union No. 61. but harmony, friendship and the desire to know each other better. EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: The Labor Temple, a seven story build­ The interest displayed by the individual ing which Los Angeles unionists are look­ member as an organizer cannot be better ing forward to with pride will be started shown than by the present numerical the 1st of May and its presence alone we strength of No. 61, and it is entirely due expect without the added enthusiasm to the fact that every member during the which it will excite in our breasts will last six months has taken upon himself further strengthen our members in addi­ the duty to enquire of the man working tion to making us more compact. by the side of him was a union man 01 not, and if not has always been thorough­ If we had the same ideal conditions as ly prepared with logical argument to ex­ we have climate, we would certainly not plain to him the advisability of being be selfish enough to suggest that the connected with the 1. B. E. W. travellng brother keep away for we thor­ oughly believe in the survival of the fit­ In September, 1906 the total member­ est, but there are apparently so many ship was about 240 and April 1907, 490, here that appear fit that the remark that the difference being entirely composed of there is always room for one more ap· delinquents and men who had never been pears misquoted for the companies are connected with organized labor, showing laying men off every day. Wishing all that the consistent members arguments brothers success, I am must have been very plausible and that Fraternally yours, they did not forget their duty as union HARRY WARNER. men by putting forth the cause of union- ism. A very noticeable feature existing in Local Union No. 73. Los Angeles labor circles and I presume EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: it exists in other localities is the lack of As every craft in the building trades interest shown by the Trades Unionists of Spokane (the insidemen, wiremen of meaning (the man that pays dues) who the 1. B. E. W. included), are asking for fails to tell his fellow workman that he an increase of wages on April and May is a member of a labor organization, but 1st, and as there always is a possibility is only too eager to inform him of his of trouble at such times, we take this affiliation with a fraternal body, forgetting, means of notifying your Local and all that if it were not for the existence of members of the Brotherhood to have all labor bodies he would be minus the insidemen stay away from Spokane. amount necessary to make him such an Should there be any of your members who enthusiastic organizer for the fraternal wish to come here have them send their body he belongs to. addresses to our Secretary, Box 635, and The business affairs of local unions after our wage question is settled, the should also be run upon the same basis prospects are that we will need a number as those of fraternal bodies "strictly busi­ of good men. We will then advise all ness" and I have no doubt that if the wishing to come here of conditions and sentiment which so often governs the the outcome of our scale. On or about union man for his fellow brother behind May ist, 1906, this Local went on strike in dues who is in distress was eliminated against the Washington Water Power Co., we should have better union men and taking out 65 brothers, this strike is still THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 47

on and we have not lost a single man. Every member of Local 92 present at The Home Telephone Co. is also unfair to meetings when appeal was read seemed the Brotherhood all over the Northwest. to realize the immediate benefits which The brothers will please keep these com­ would accrue from placing in the hands panies in mind. Nevertheless good line­ of our brotherhood a fund for no other men have been in demand and a good purpose than that of helping those of our lineman can always get on with fair peo­ brothers fight for not alone their rights, ple here. Phone men $3.50, 8-hours; but our rights as well. power men $4.00, 9-hours. The only con­ A hard f01lght battle won in one locali­ ditions are that he must have a card with ty makes the battle easier of success in him and be able to do the work. 'another territory. There is nothing We have this one more request to make which has more of a moral influence on of your Local, that your Secretary read the actions of our opponents than a well this notice before your Local for at least filled treasury. three meetings. Realizing these facts Local No. 92 raised With best wishes to your Local and the their dues from 90c to $1.00 per month. Brotherhood, we are, The extra 10c to be sent to the General Yours fraternally, Office each month for the defense fund. J. F. BROWNELL, President. Our first installment was sent in for A. T. SHORTLEY, Secretary. the last quarter of 1906 and on receipt of same our Grand President and Grand Local UI1ion No. 80. Secretary addressed our local in very EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: complimentary terms for which our boys feel justly proud. I would very much like Since the last letter from this Local in to hear of every local in our brotherhood the journal, nearly all our members found inaugurate some such a scheme for there employment at the Exposition grounds, is nothing more beneficial to an organiza­ and, there are very few men idle at tion of our character than high dues and present, and work will last until about a full treasury. A few Single figures will the 1st of May, when everything will be show what can be done with just 10c completed and a great number of the per month from every member in our traveling members will be on their way glorious brotherhood. home. The conditions in Norfolk are very bad. There must be nearly 35,000 members, Open shop. You know what that means, possibly more, but we will take that figure. Ten cents from each member for and there is little chance of it being set­ 12 months, $1.20; for 35,000 members, tled very soon. $42,000, which should make a very neat At the navy yard here, there was a little amount to throw into an infested clean sweep and we have about 3 or 4 district if used judiciously_ members over there which leaves us in The prospects for any extensive work a very bad shape. around these parts does not look very There has been no overtime here and bright. The Bell and the city have not we who came here, are all disappointed, come to any definite agreement as yet and glad to get straight time and I think relative to placing the wires under­ we will all go away with less money than ground. we came here with. The telephone men here are watching The Exposition will be opened by the with interest the purchase of the United time this letter reaches the members and States Telephone Company by the Bell it is going to be a grand naval and mili­ interests. The validity of the sale will tary show, well worth visiting and hope probably have been decided by the attor­ that quite a number of our Brotherhood ney general before the appearance of this will be able to attend, as it will also letter. Which ever way it goes will, it is afford a trip to the sea side and well. believed, have a bearing upon the future With best wishes. work in this district. Yours fraternally, G. W. KENDALL, JR. Our lads are much pleased over the fact Press Secretary.• of the Electrical Workers 01 Olean, N. Y_ getting in line again. This was accom­ plished through the hard work of our dis­ Local Union No. 92_ trict organizer, Bro. Louis Donnelly. It EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: appears to me there is no reason why a flourishing Local can not live in Olean, Some time ago our worthey Grand if every one of the members stand for President issued an appeal to all mem­ loyalty and harmony_ bers of the International Brotherhood for an individual voluntary contribution for They certainly have our best wishes l the purpose of establishing a nucleus to and we pray that they may not fall into a defense fund. The object of this. de­ the rut they did before. fense fund was clearly stated in the I would like to suggest that there Is } Grand Presidents letter. another town in this district which re- 48 THE ELECTRICAL 'YORKER

quires some attention and that is Corn­ factory agreement a day or two after ing. There are enough men working sending my last letter, which contained there at the business who if they were his name, as proprietor of an unfair shop, corralled ought to make a nice little and to make matters worse the letter Local. laid in the office a month and was not HARRY S. BROWN, printed till March; so, unfortunately, al­ Press Secretary. mORt two months after Mr. Latour "got Hornell, N. Y., April 3, 1907. right" our official journal arrived in Wor­ cester saying he was unfair. Local Union No. 95. Mr. Latour requested an explanation, and is satisfied that it was simply hard EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: luck. But it shows, brothers, that the. Since becoming a member of Local No. contractors read the WORKER "o~ce in a 95, I have never seen it represented by a while" also. letter in the columns of the WORKER. Up- Page Electric Co., Plummer, Ham & . on reminding ourselves of this fact, I of Richardson, Delta Electric Co., Worcester course, was the one that should be im­ Electric Contract Co. and George L. Brig­ mediately ele~ted and harnessed into the ham are still unfair. office of Press Secretary. There is a new company in town, that It seems rather difficult to make the I have been to see the manager of re­ start, but I trust that it may prove to be peatedly, but I can't come to any agree­ a pleasure after becoming more familiar ment with him. That is the Southgate with the requirements and duties of the Electric Co., which is practically unfair. position. Likewise, it is sometimes hard The outlook today is better than at any for the unorganized workman to weigh time since the strike started (eight his interests in the balance of Brother­ months), most of the boys are working hood and Justice, but after he decides to and business in fair shops is picking up. do so, and once becomes a worker in the But I wish the union men of the east, ranks of Organized Labor, and he is of and especially of this district would bear manly principal, he will continue to in mind the fact that we don't need any strive fo!" Laber's interest, and his inter­ outside heip in doing this work. est so long as he is a wage·earner. "Or­ ganization is the only Salvation for the We have had men with good cards in wage-earner. " their pockets, blow into Worcester and go to work for "scab" shops. Chase them Regardless of the strike on with the up and explain matters and they tell you Missouri and Kansas or Bell Telephone they did not know there was trouble; Company, over the entire district of Mis­ and some of the cards issued less than souri and Kansas, for almost a year now, fifty miles from Worcester, too. I tell our Local is steadily growing and inter­ you brothers, it is a shame. est is becoming more expressive in every line of business. We are having larger Every card electrician in the northeast­ attendance at meetings; our financial con­ ern states should know that there is a ditions are better; our committees accom­ strike on in Worcester. plish better results and our members We have been trying to drill it into work more harmoniously and in earnest them for eight months and we expected than ever before. better results. Local No. 95, is doing its best, as an Several strike-breakers have left town individual striving for the upbuilding of since the warm weather, and I know of our Brotherhood, and the mark of our several more that will go soon; some of ambition and aim is Victory! them came here not knowing of the trou­ ble and could not see their way clear to WiShing success to Unionism and the I. leave in the winter. B. E. W., I remain, Yours fraternally, We expect to celebrate a closed shop G. P. GARRETT, victory by the Fourth of July. A couple of shops are wavering now. Watch them Press Secretary. drop. Joplin, Mo., April 24, 1907. Time's up and so is space (if you gave this paper away, I would write more, Bro. Local Union No. 96. Collins) and I will now close with best EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: wishes to the I. B. E. W. Yours fraternally, . Just a line from Local Union No. 96 GEO. H. MILLER, to let you and the Brotherhood know that Recording Secretary. we are still doing business every Monday Worcester, Mass .. April 27, 1907. night at the same old "wharf." The situation has not changed to any great extent since last letter. Local Union No. 109. We have gained one more closed shop, EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: and that is Mr. Peter V. Latour's. Local I 'Would like to whisper to you and all No. 96 and Mr. Latour arrived at a satis- brothers, that we are still here, but not THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 49 very strong. Why? Well, I don't like to rush for linemen are needed around here, tell it, but as you want to know, it is up yours truly will tell you. I am not to me. telling this to keep you away, but these To begin with, it is the same old story, are facts. We like to see travelers now the members are negligent in regard to and then. our meeting nights. They each and every If Kid Holcombe sees this he will please one want the measley 25 cents advance write to 1112 12th street, Rock Island, Ill. of pay we asked for and got, but when it Brothers, stick by your Local. Attend comes to standing by the Local and act­ the meetings, do your part of the work, ing a members part, and assist in the get right in with both feet just as if it all work that a few are compelled to do, no depended on yourself. Don't be afraid. they are at home or have other engage­ Wishing success to all, I am, ments. Fraternally yours, You, of course find it that way most N. TERRELL, every where to an extent, but that does Press Secretary. not justify anyone to stay away. Why a Rock Island, Ill., April 26, 1907. man that claims to be a man, will do such, I am at a loss to say. Here is another proposition. When a Local Union No. 112. man or set of men ask for an increase EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: of pay, and gets it, why they shirk and After looking in several of the WORKERS try to beat the employer is more than I I do not find any letter from Local No. can see, not that I want anyone to over 112, so I will take it upon myself as a tax his physical powers, far from it, but member of No. 112 to write a few lines I do and always will think that he should which I hope will escape the waste bas­ give a fair days labor in return. In that ket. As a member of Local No. 112, I way I believe that there would be less really feel ashamed that we have neglect­ strikes and lockouts as the moneyed man ed to appear in the correspondence col­ would see that we not only wanted what umns. At our next meeting I will ride is rightfully our own, but are willing to 70 or 80 miles to see especially about a act a man when we are treated as such. press secretary. I am now working for Here is another. How is it that some the W. U. Tel. Co., about 70 miles from members get in bad standing in one Local Local No. 112, but am very, very proud and go away, and bob up later with a to say that we are a solid I. B. E. W. gang good paid up card? There is something always looking out for the welfare of the wrong somewhere. If all the brothers I. B. E. W. wherever we may go .. We and ex-brothers would read our Constitu­ initiated one new man in our gang last tion, pay their bills, and be men, there night and the ride of 70 miles and staying would not be anyone advertised as is the up all night looks like nothing by the following: side of our Local attendance. I want to say that Bro. C. T. Collins of Local No. On the" 14th of March last, ex-brother 428, of Bakersfield, Calif, is very much Harry Dodge came in to Davenport, Iowa, of a poet and let him keep up the good without money and without tools. Bro. work. Red Stephens loaned him tools and put him to work with the understanding that In behalf of the gang, we l'emain, he square up his card. He agreed to do Yours forever, so. Mr. Jones, the general foreman stood J. T. COLT.INS, for his board (he having worked with Secretary. Dodge elsewhere), and the Local allowed Irvington, Ky., April 24, 1907. him to work, believing he would pay up and deposit his card. He worked 10 days and quit, got his money, jumped his Local Union No. 155. boardbill of $10.25. EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: Do you, brother, or anyone else think Local No. 155 is still doing business at that right, and I ask all brothers to hand the old stand, and taking in a new mem­ it to Harry Dodge in large bunches when ber every meeting night or so. he comes your way. I hope, and I guess We are rejoicing over our membership he (Dodge) will see this, so he will know as it is the largest we have ever had that he can not go where there is a Loc3.1 and everyone is up to date. At present but what will know of his dirty trick. we have about eighty members, and all Such as that makes it hard on brothers working for the good of the Order. that are all right, and does not benefit at Brothers Reynolds and Walter have all the man that does the act. been elected as delegates to attend the Work here is none too good, but all' D. C. which has a meeting at Dallas, Tex., members I believe are working and a April 8th and 9th, and it is hoped they few travelers also; but, should you come will do themselves and the Local justice this way be sure your card is up, if it is as they always do their best. not there will be nothing for you. If any Local No. 456 called on us last meeting 50 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER to witness the initiation of a new mem­ the "WORKER," I will again impose on ber. You were welcome, boys, come again. your good nature. Bro. J. C. Clarke met with an accident I have heard numerous remarks con­ a few days ago, by getting his foot hurt cerning the previous one which were not while loading some trolley feeder, but 1s very complimentary to the writer. In on the works again with his happy smile. answer to all I will say that I am not Bro. S. B. Hays, our genial vice presi­ from Missouri; all the kickers have to dent, has left us for California. Treat do is to tell me and I will place them in him right boys, as he is true blue. the position of a Missourian, I will show Wishing the I. B. success, I will close them. the circuit. It is true that Local 164 was up against Yours fraternally, it but the enemy Is gradually retreating. "DEACON." If any of you brothers who are only just Oklahoma City, Okla., March 30, 1907. looking on will just put your shoulder to the wheel there will not be a better Local in the Brotherhood. Local Union No. 162. The situation in and around New York }j]DITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: as far as the Brotherhood is concerned Is Our Press Secretary has not been up settled entirely satisfactory from our for a couple of weeks so I guess I will point of view. I will admit that there are write a few lines as I know a number of many strange but old familiar faces in the brothers are waiting to learn what the our meetings. There is a grand chance new company is doing here. for all to get together and get the proper recognition as Electrical Workers which The Union Consolidated Company has we are entitled to. Don't expect politi­ the work in charge and already has a cians to do it for you. You must do it store room, and the way the "long hard­ yourselves. less," spoons, axes, etc., are coming in it looks like work, and plenty of it, but if We had the pleasure of a visit from our any brother is thinking of coming here .Grand President at our last meeting and though suffering from a severe cold his to work for them. let him be sure the remarKs were instructing and very inter­ yellow sticker is . in his due book and esting. The members of No. 164 know secure a green card before he starts, for that he has worked hard for the Brother­ we are going to make this the best job in hood while here and those of us who the 6th District. know him are glad to see that he is still We have a fine contract with all parties wearing the same size hat and the mem­ concerned and intend to live up to our bers of No. 164 wish him success at all share of it to the very letter. times. Probably there will not be much doing In reading over a pamphlet issued by before the 1st of May, though some of the Local No. 6 of San Francisco entitled splicers wi! get busy before that. "True Statement of Facts," in. my esti­ There is a good deal of conduit on the mation the Brother who gave that title ground and lots more coming. to it will never be held accountable when The attendance at meetings is dropping he is called to his happy hunting ground off. Say! There is a large, juicy, and for any "fibs he may have included in permanent vote of thanks for the man same. There are the true facts of the who .will suggest a means of inducing the injustice done our sister local laid bare. .membership to turn out. I have an apology to offer No.6 in behalf of Local No. 164, that an ex-member of I say induce, advisedly, for when you No. 164, Charles Roggerman, who took force them to come there is no pleasure, out a traveling card, and possibly another, neither to themselves nor to the balance. is now scabbing it in San Francisco Our District Council has just finished against No.6, but there is truth in the its Second Annual Convention and there old saying "Chickens come home to is one rather significant fact connected roost." This is a matter which should with it. interest every local in the Brotherhood, One year ago there were 7 delegates and it seems very strange to me that and in the convention just passed there Locals on International organizations were 20. seated in a Building Trades Council will As this is a party line I guess I will vote to unseat a local of another Interna­ cut out and give the rest a chance. tional organization and not expect a come W. C. GOOLD, Financial Sec. back. Are we going to sit idly by and say nothing? Has not each local got the power to communicate with each Inter­ Local Union No. 164. national body whose locals were the in­ stigators of this crime and put it to them EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: in plain English, the injustice done by a Now that you have really recognized local of theirs in San Francisco in voting Local Union No. 164 as being in the fold to unseat a local from the B. T. C. and by printing their first letter for years in seating a lot of renegates and strike· THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 51 ," breakers who claim to be electrical work­ very pleased to see it inserted. However, ers? We would request that Secretaries we are getting along fine adding new send us as soon as possible all informa­ lights to our circuit every meeting. I am tion he can regarding any members who, sorry to say we have lost a bright light he thinks, come from this vicinity. and a good worker for the cause in the The '5ituation in Hudson County at person of Bro. C. A. MacDougal, who has present seems very good and while I left here for San Francisco. Our worthy would not advise Brotherhood men to president is still hopping round as the travel this way, there is no reason why result of his fall last July 4. He has sued good men cannot make out all right dur­ the company for $5,000.00 and he has ing summer months. Wishing all locals been given judgment for $2,000.00, but in the Brotherhood success, I am the company have appealed against the Yours fraternally, decision, there he would not get a de­ W. P. CLEARY. cision before the end of the year and like­ Local No. 164, .Jersey City, N. J. ly not then as the law courts are not for the working man, however. I hope he Local Union No. 198. will get the money OK as he needs the dough. I think this is about all this EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: time, with best wishes to all the brothers, As it has been some time since you I am have heard from us I thought I would let Fraternally yours, you know we are still doing business here. GEO. JENKINS. The Bell company has just completed a $250,000.00 job here and they are tearing down all the old stuff. When that is fin­ Local Union No. 221. ished the crew will leave for Burlington, EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: which is going to rebuild. Local 198 is Local 221 is doing fine at this time. holding the line fairly well, all the boys Everything is looking prosperous for the are working with prospects for a good linemen at present. summer and our membership is slowly The Guffy Oil company has begun work increasing. The inside men are meeting on their lines to the Indiana Territory, with some trouble with the gas fitters. and have employed between fifteen and owing to jurisdiction lines regarding the twenty linemen, which took about all the hanging of combination fixtures and the available linemen in this vicinity. It is Local Building Trades has declared expected that the Texas company will also against us, but we have not conceded and begin work on their lines to the territory don't intend to give up this work if it in a few days, and with what other work take a lifetime. However we intend to that will be done, we expect work to be take the matter up with the federation, plentiful this summer. where we think it will be adjusted to the satisfaction of all concerned. Delegate The convention of the Sixth District Jno. Krahl has returned from the District met in Dallas the 8th and 9th of April. Convention at Waterloo and reports a Brother .Dan Rather represented 221 at very enthusiastic meeting and everything the convention. Brother Rather returned looks well for the craft all over this Dis­ from the Convention very much enthused trict. The next convention will be left over the work that was done by the Con· to referendum vote between Sioux City vention. We think it will result in much and Des Moines. good to this district. Brother H. Buckley and George Black, The South Texas Telephone company is of 544 and 372', also King Dodo have de­ doing some new work at Port Arthur, posited cards here. I see by the WORKER Texas. They are rebuilding and enlarg­ that Tex Strahl is in Idaho. I presume ing their exchange, but this job will not is organizing the Shoshone Indians into last very iong. a floating gang. We have a letter here Our Local is steadily pressing forward, for Russell Kilgow, which will be for· and taking in new members at almost warded to his address. I will state that every meeting. All members are well and there is a big strike on here of the car­ working at this time. All things con­ penters and Joiners. 1000 men out and sidered, we feel that we are getting along as the chief of police carries a card a splendid. stranger without the goods will be drilled Floaters are becoming very scarce in across the bridge or get a pass to Siberia. this part of the country just now. This is all for the present with best Yours fraternally, wishes to Trenton, New Jersey, I remain. ROBT. RAMEY. Yours truly. Financial and Press Secretary. T. J., Press Sec. Local Union No. 253, Local Union No. 213. !!lDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: Local No. 253 of Cedar Rapids is still I am afraid I am late this month, but on earth, although you don't hear from if it is possible to get this in I would be us very often. Work was a little bit 52 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER slack here for inside men this winter, but questing that the ·difficulty be adjusted, we are looking for a rushing summer, but but as he declared his lack of authority the outside men have all kept busy. We to do 80, the men were again called out. are affiliated with the S. B. L. A. here and One or two old time foremen, a few ground all of the trades affiliated ask for the hands, and several trimmers and spare 8-hour day and a good many of them ask motor men are about all· the help the for more money and the contractors all companies can secure. the strike being took it good natured. The inside wiremen 'rough and etrective. Quite a number are getting $3.00 and $3.50 for eight hours, of our ~en have left town and secured helpers from $1.00 to $2.00 for eight positions in other cities. There are no hours. The outside men have got a de­ men of any account coming here, and mand in but we don't know as yet how every indication points to an unqualfied they will come out. They are asking victory for our men. We are making a $3.00 and $3.50 for linemen and $4.50 for request for financial assistance from the cablemen, but their demands call nine various locals throughout the Brother­ hours. hood. Any contributions will be great fully received and acknowledged in our We are taking in new members every official Journal. meeting. The C. R. F. of L. are pushing a big celebration to be held in C. R. Brothers will please take notire and Labor day and we will try and show all have all linemen seeking work to keep visiting brothers a good time. Yours as away from Providence until this trouble ever, and a jolly bunch. is settled. FRED THOMAS, R. S. Yours fraternally, A. P. BARRY. Press Sec. Local Union No. 258. EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: On March 1st we presented an agree· Local Union No. 263. ment asking for $3.00 per day of nine EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: hours to the Narragansett Electric Light· I would like to have a few words to say ing Co., Rhode Island Street Railway Ce., in the ....A ... pril ''lORKER to let the Brothel~· Parotucket Electric Lighting Co. and hood know that Local Union 263 of Providence Telephone Co. We requested Shampokin, Pa. is still existing, but we an answer by April 1st, on that date all are up against it, for the most of our but the latter company refused to con· brothers are out of town, and there is sider our demands. The Telephone Co. only a few card men in our town, there informed our committee that they could is enough to make a nice Local if they give a reply on or about April 8, claiming would get wise and get in line. I think that owing to pressure of business they that work will be pretty good here this were unable to give the matter any atten­ summer if the company's do the work tion until that time, we were also assured they are expecting to do, there will be . by officials of the company that a satis· some light and trolley work for sure and factory arrangement to all concerned I would like to see them card jobs, but would then be reached. On April 9tll we if we don't get some one to help us to were informed by the Telephone Company build our Local up it won't be long till that they would concede nothing. The the Local will be one of the past, but other companies took the same stand and there is a few of us that will stick to the we accordingly voted to strike. We have ship till she goes down. One of our now been out three weeks and with one brothers was called to the Great beyond. exception no overtures for a settlement Bro. Wm. McKincrey came here from have been made on either side. The R. 1. Baltimore, Md., and put his card in 263 company sent for a committee and agreed last fall, and worked for the United Tel. to grant the men an increase of 25 cents & Tel. Co. as trouble man. He was sent per day and free transportation over its to Mahanoy City, Pa., March 4, to do lines at all times, the hours to be regu· some trouble work and was on a 40-foot lated (to suit conditions) by the foreman, pole and done some work and was just which were promised to be satisfactory starting down when it is supposed that to the men. The concessions granted by his strap on his hook broke and he fell the R. 1. Co. were considered fair and to the paved street below. Brother Roy the men allowed to return to work. After Hutcheson and Manager Jos. F. Ogden, having worked five days the men found was at the bottom of the pole and picked that the conditions as to hours were no him up, he was sent to the Fountain better than before the strike. This was Spring Hospital, but lived only 24 hours. freely commented on by the other com­ He was buried in Shamokin. He leaves panies and they pointed out that if the a wife, but no children. He had no home, R. 1. company's men were willing to go so he was at home any place that he back and work a 10-hour day the other worked. Billy as he was best known was linemen were not justified in holding out always pleasant and had a good and kind for 9-hour day. A committee waited on word for everybody and at all times ready the foreman of the R. 1. company reo to help a Brother in any way. I THE ELEOTRIOAL WORKER 53

Brother Walter J. Daniels left for Hat­ have about completed their plant in Oak­ tiesburg, Miss. to work for a new phone land; as the exchange was turned over to company in that place. Walter is a fine the local company last week, they expect young man and if any of the Brothers to be giving service in a short time. Now meet him give him the glad hand for he brothers, owing to the condition of work is true blue. Brother Wm. P. Hall, our here this is a poor place to land in as former R. S. is home from Butte City, living expenses are still away up, but Mont. He had a sad message of the death just as soon as the work opens up I will of his mother. Bro. Hall expects to re­ be pleased to let you know through the turn in a week or so. Well as this is WORKER. Easter Sunday and a very fine one I hope Local No. 6 is still out and they are till the next one we have, the Brotherhood having a difficult strike as they are fight­ will be increased to again its strength ing both the contractors and P. H. Mc­ and every local is striving for better Carthy, President of the Building Trades price and shorter hours will get them and Council, still at that I expect to see No. now Mr. Editor I hope you will excuse me 6 come out on top in a short time, as the for taking so much space in our worthy inside work is in bad shape in San Fran­ WORKER. Wishing you all success I re- cisco, for McCarthy with his scab organ­ main, Fraternally yours, ization cannot deliver the goods. Brother HARRY T. MORGAN. M. J. Sullivan, G.V.P., is in charge of this Address: M. & M. Tel. Co., Mandata, Pa. strike and he certainly is putting up a good clean fight and he deserves the WHEREAS, We mourn the loss of him praise and assistance of all 1. B. E. W. who, in life we held dear as a brother and members_ friend, and while we can never more I am pleased to state that No. 283 is grasp his hand and see his pleasant smile, going along nicely and increasing its we humbly submit to Him who has called members at each meeting. Our meetings our brothers spirit to the life beyond the are well attended and the members take grave; therefore be it great interest in the meetings. Resolved, That the sudden removal of Mr. Editor, I will thank you if you w'll Brother Wm. McKincrey from our midst kindly publish this letter in the May issue leaves a vacancy and a shadow that will and wishing all locals every succesl>, 1 be deeply realized by all members of remain, Fraternally yours, Local Union No. 263, I. B. E. W.; and be HUGH MURRIN. it further Resolved, That we drape our charter for a period of thirty days, and a copy of the Local Union No. 296. resolutions be spread upon the minutes of EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: this Local and a copy be sent to the fam­ ily and a copy be sent to the ELECTRICAL Well brothers, I am on the job again WORKER for publication. Signed. this month. Local 296 is getting along as HARRY T. MORGAN, fine as silk, we took in three new brothers ED. ROTH, last meeting night and we got our eye on WALTER C. ROTH, a couple more. Well brothers, work is Committee. not very brisk around here, the light company is doing some new work and ex­ pect to put another gang on so that will Local Union No. 283. give work to a few good card men. The EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: telephone company is not doing any work Just a few words from Local No. 283 this spring. Well brothers, news is slack for the purpose of informing the various around here this month so I guess I will members of the I. B. of conditions pre­ open the switch. Best wishes to all Local vailing at the present time on the Pacific unions. Fraternally yours, Coast. I am sorry to state that work of B. SMITH. all kinds is practically at a stand still as Press Secretary. the companies claim they can not secure material. The Gas & Electric company have laid off a great many men, the Trac­ Local Union No_ 335. tion company some and the Pacific Tele­ EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: phone company have reduced their force I am sorry to report to you that two seventy-five per cent. Gang, that former­ of our members have lost their due books ly worked 8 and 10 linemen are now re­ the past week. duced to 3 and 4 men-here in Oakland the Telephone companies have reduced I am sending you their names and their force in every department and they number of cards. So you may have them are doing scarcely any construction work published in the WORKER. I am issuing at all. I have talked with some of the some more, marked duplicate across the local officials but they can not give any inside of the book_ information as to how long these condi­ Fred Jinkins, Card No. 87920, of No. tions will last. The Home Telephone Co. 335, Springfield, Mo., lost in city_ 54 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

Ed. Burrell, Card No. 87906, of No. 335, Rowland Reed is back from an Electrical Springfield, Mo., lost or stolen in Tulsa, tour in Texas, also Brother Dill from the I. Ty. same place. Brother Saunders and Broth­ There were also valuable papers with er Frank Nettles had a 2 weeks rest in each one of these. Mr. Burrell's address St. Louis, Mo., and other points. But is Okmulgee, Ind. Ty., care of J. A. have come back to join us again. Heran, Bozark Hotel. To Brother Dutch Echert, Mr. George We are anxiously waiting for news of a Richie says he thinks of you every time settlement of the Tel. strike. he smokes your little pipe, but is sorry Fraternally yours, you did not get the beer, it was he says CHAS. G: CRISWELL. because you could not catch a bottle on the fly, and how do you manage to catch a train? Local Union No. 345. Our local last night at the special meet­ EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: ing voted a vote of thanks for the part In the absence of Brother McKinnon, he took in settling the strike or demand our press secretary, the local having me committee of the Light Co's. men. Bro. pressed into service, I wish all the boys Doc Harper, of Birmingham, who came who were here during the winter and down at a request of t1).e Local. Most fall to know just how everything is work­ everyone has gone and when the paint ing in Mobile. The boys with the Light runs out there will be more to follow. company ask for $3.00 and nine hours With best wishes to all brothers. and 2 hours off on Saturday afternoon. Yours fraternally, As I understand it they will continue at P. D. MARKELL. $2.70 per 9 hours, and 2 hours off on Press Sec. (Pro Tem.) Saturday, which the majority of the boys working for the light company accepted, as a compromise for their demands having Local Union No. 348. made a closed shop of it. Will it be a EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: winnillg ill the long Tun, let us hope so. Local Union 1'ro. 348 m.eets every Mon­ I would like to have all the boys know day at 8:30 sharp in Labor hall, 8th aven­ of the .. passing away of one of Mobiles ue, East, Chas. Birchardt, Rec. Sec., G. land marks, Brother J. V. Childress, or W. Phillips, Fin. Sec. "Slim" as he was so well known by, died Well it is so long since you have heard on January 10, and was followed to his anything from 348 of Calgary that you last resting place by 60 good fellow work­ may think that we are out of existence, men upon the following day. but we aint all the same. We have had a Bro. Geo. P. Woods, or "Smoky" left little trouble lately. Ex-Financial Secre· the next night afterwards on a passenger tary thought he needed our funds worse train for Texas, he got as far as Scranton, than we did, perhaps he did, but a little Miss., where they stopped for water, the matter like that don't bother us a little nigger fireman came back, got Smoky off bit, we are just as strong and we have then, the engine backed up to take water, pretty near everybody in town and thats Smoky got off and fell under the tender, what we need. If you think you have and got his leg cut off about 6 inches be­ space for a little from a local from the low the knee, he is now in the hospital North pole, or at least about a mile and here yet, maybe able to get out in a a half from it, why please insert this in couple of weeks. There is a great many the WORKER: G. W. Phillips, Financial boys throughout the country who know Secretary, 348 Galgany Alberta. Best Smoky and know him well, should feel so wishes to the Brotherhood. disposed to send a start to that wooden Yours fraternally, leg, let them send it to Geo. P. Woods, in G. W. PHILLIPS. care of Uncle Ben. I am sure it will be welcomed with many thanks. Remember Lqcal Union No. 348. boys we can place the dead away to their last resting place and then say our duty EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: is complete, but in a case of this brothers, I hope you will allow a small space in we must provide him a means of making the "WORKER" for this letter, as it has his living, so all jOin in and we will have been a long time since you have heard him on his way. Brothers Frank (Curly) from us. Edleman and Eddie Clark of Pensacola, I was elected Press Secretary a few Florida fame do begin to hike up the meetmgs ago and have also neglected to line on Saturday, Frank sa.ys he cannot write up anything, but now being started buy an Easter bonnet because Clark is I will do the best to all of my ability. not sure to sleep by it, it might make too We are young yet, but have prospered much noise! But then you can not always good in the last year. We have a mem­ sometimes tell. Should this have time bership of 53, and before long we expect to catch Harry Folans eyes there is some to nearly double it. We had a smoker of us whom would like to have a letter about a month ago, which was a great (rom him, not a postal card, do you mind. success. THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 55

The work in this town is going to boom Bell itself as Brother Collin's analysis of this summer as the town is growing fast it leaves' nothing unsaid. J'he subject and some talk of building a street rail· with which I wish to deal is the perni­ way. cious manner in which this pernicious 'what the Local Union wants to get in legislation has been acted upon by memo this town is an eight hour schedule and bel'S of our own organization, to whose more money and we will be D. K., as interests it is obviously detrimental in the we work a ten hour day on the Bell and extreme. I shall attempt to narrate as nine on the Light which is altogether too briefly and clearly as possible the whole much. history of the bill, in order to illustrate fully the action taken by these "brothers." We are gOing to have an open meeting on the 15th inst for the benefit of the The bill originally introduced was num­ boys that are working on the long dis· bered 275, was presented by Senator Lan· tance out of here and are now in town dee, at the instigation the Senator avers, of a Mr. Manor of Rock Island, Ill. The for a few days, and would like ~o get latter gentleman by the way is ch1efly everyone of the boys interested III fhe conspicous in his .locality for this par· "Union." tiality toward the clancred species of the We ~eet every Monday evening at 8:30 genus homo. o'clock in the Barber Block on 8th ave., East. Hoping every Local Union. is pro· Mr. Juul of Chicago was to have intro· gressing in the right way, I remam, duccd the measure in the senate, but ow­ Yours sincerely, ing to the contractor's association being LISLE SILVER. misinformed on the subject of Mr. Juul's status in the Legislature, he being a Sena· tor, they imagining him to be a member Local Union No. 870. of the House, they were unable to intro· EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: duce the bill into the lower house at that Brothers, I don't think that any letter time. has ever appeared in the WORKER from It was apparently the object of the per· Local Union No. 370. We have elected petrators of this bill to rush it through press agents but they don't press very the legislature and have it enacted into much but we are here to stay and have law before any of the future victims of 'been 'doing some big stunts in getting the measure should become aware of its new members during the last year and a existence. half. We are up against a serio~s propo· Local Union No. 134 seems to have been sition now as the Sunset or PacIfic Tele· phone company have layed off all men the firflt body to become alive to the situ· ation. It being evident to them that the except a few installers and some trouble passage of such an act would prove disas· shooters; the Home company are not. do· trous to their own as well as to any other ing anything so there are lots of Idle organization of electrical workmen, they men here and traveling brothers should immediately dispatched a delegate to this stay away from the coast. W. E. Ken~edy city to look over the ground and exert is circulating around here as orgamzer, himself to prevent the passage of the bill. he always wears a persuasive smile and is The delegate together with Brother doing good work as usual for the brother­ Collins, Sullivan and myself, attended a hood. To any of the old members of 370 meeting of the judiciary committee. Our who are away and see this, you can know audience before this committee had been that we are still doing business and have engineered with great difficulty by Dr. high jinks every Friday night after the Mark Gier, the afore mentioned delegate 7th of each month, or to be more plain we from No. 134 to whom too much credit have open meeting and smoker every cannot be given for his earnest and month and we make a special effort to get strenuous endeavor in combatting the bill. the nons there and then to get them in Brother Collins in an able manner, though line for the obligation ceremony. under trying conditions, presented our Fraternally yours, side of the story, being frequently inter· W. C. W. rupted in the course of his argument by irrelevant and inconsequental questions Local Union No. 427. drawled at him by members of the com­ EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: mittee. However, before leaving we seemed to have the situation pretty well A timely editorial came to my notice in in hand. the April issue of our Journal on the sub­ ject of "Pernicious Legislation." The able The contractors appeared before the editor of our official organ pOinted out in committee the following day, but Brother an effective and decidedly convincing Collins' eloquence had borne fruit and manner the many vicious clauses con­ their protestations and affirmatives had tained in a Senate Bill now before the little effect. Illinois Legislature for consideration. . The bill was laid over and we were to It is not my object in this letter to be notified at what date it would be up dwell upon the pernicious character of the for reconsideration. It was intimated to ~ ,I 56 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER

us that that date would in all probability Local Union No. 452. never arrive, and that tbe bill was to. all intents and purposes killed. Dr. Gier re­ EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: turned to Chicago, intending to return if As Local No. 462 has just elected me the notorious baby bobbed its head up again. Press Secretary, will endeavor to write He was never permitted to do so, how­ a short letter. 452 is a new local and our ever, as other interests had been at work membership is small, but is steadily in­ in his organization, which caused that creasing and is made up or men who are organization to completely reverse its fearless in the discharge of their duties action. I am now going to bring to your as members and who stand ready at any notice one of the most perfidious and and all times to do anything they are treacherous acts that could possibly be called upon to do that would further the perpetrated by a body of men in an or­ interests of the local and the brotherhood. ganization upon that organization at With a body of men of this calibre all large. Local Union 134 had, it appears, working for the same cause, I see no rea­ had a movement on foot toward securing son why in a short time this should not an increase from $4.50 to $5.00 per day be one of the strongest locals in the in the near future. You can imagine South. how much the contractors of Chicago thought of their bill, when they offered Work here at present is on the wane, to accede to all th~ demands of 134. If quite a IlIlmber of boys having taken out 134 would withdraw its opposition to cards and have left for the North and that bill. No. 134 had sought legal ad­ West. Would advise all wiremen to stay vice on the bill, and· their counsel had away from Pensacola at present as we instructed them, for their own preserva­ have a little grievance with the Bosses. tion, to fight the bill at all hazards. It Will advise later through the Journal seems however that a paltry 50 cents was when trouble is adjusted. With best sufficient inducement for that admirable wishes to all members of the brotherhood, body. I beg to remain, Is their evidence of any qualms of Fraternally yours, ~ons~ien~e on the part of No. 1 ~4. No indeed, we shall hear them in the WALLACE W. WORRELL. future as we have in the past, blowing President and Press Secretary, L. 452. their horns of self-satisfaction and self­ recommendation, proclaiming their selfish interests loudly enough to awake the soul of old Ramesis reposing in the I).ir-proof Local Union No. 458. cheops. My vocabulary fails me when I seek to EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: find words fittingly condemnatory in re­ As it has been a long time since this pudiating such actions. Local has had a letter in the worker, I There is no doubt that this action of thought I would write a few lines and let No. 134 materially helped toward the the brothers know how everything is passage of this bill. here. There is going to be lots of work Much hard work will be necessary in here this summer. The Street Car Co. bringing about the defeat of this bill is going to build more car lines and also under present circumstances. Too much build a new powerhouse, and there will be credit cannot be given Brother Collins lots of inside work also, as there is and Sullivan for the lively interest they building going up all over town. have taken and efficient work they have done in this matter. Why is it that D. We have a membership of about 20, C. fails to have its organizer or some but there is only half a dozen ever show capable man on the ground at this time. up at each meeting, which makes it Surely this is a matter of sufficient im­ pretty bad to get through with our busi­ portance for that body to take under ness. The only time we have a good consideration. showing is when we have a big feed and I should suggest that all Local Unions then·they all (;ome. send a letter to their respective represen­ The only way I can think of to make tatives in the house or senate protesting them attend meetings is to have an infer­ against the enactment of this pernicious nal machine fastened to each one, timed bill. Do all yon can to defeat it. Mean­ to go off at 8 o'clock each Friday night, while re~t assured all pressure possible with the keys up to the Local room. will be brought to bear to insure its death by the Grand Office and Local Well I guess this is all I dare write Union No. ~"7. Fraternally yours, now, for I fear when the brothers down O. F. DAVEXPORT. here see this I am liable to get damaged. I rERE ELEOTRICAL WORKER 57

Hoping to see this in the next WORKER, this bunch Will say in the beginning, I remain, yours fraternally, that WE. II small but lively baby in the KINNY. union and although we are just beginning Sec. Local No. 458. to cut our wisdom teeth I think you will find us as the months roll by a pretty This is one of our big feeds: healthy youngster. Menu. We had a pleasant and profitable visit Kilowatts a la Meter from Brother James J. Reid a short time Soup ago, and if there are any locals in his Puree of Rubber covered Giblits district that have not had the pleasure Consomme Socket Bushings of meeting him they had better get busy. Fish He is one of those fellows who as the Boiled Plug Cut-outs Fried Push Buttons old lady says, "Kinder liven things up." Relishes Come again Brother Reid. Porcelain Knobs Keyless Sockets Having noticed in the WORKER that in Salted Amperes Pickled Rosetts Local Union Directory that you have sign Incandescent Salad (b) for 463, which should be changed to Entries (a) mixed local, please correct this mis­ Fried Trolley Pole take. Knife Switches a la Meringo At our last meeting motion was made Dry Battery Sause that we were to wri te to head office to Vegetables send us an organizer for Montreal and Wire Lamp Guards Outlet Boxes Eastern Canada, as we want one badly. Insulating Joints At our last election: Bro. H. E. Rey­ Rubber Tape Wood Moulding noldE:. PreSident; Bro. J. W. Sullivan, Roasts Vice-President; Bro. J. Lusigman, Rec. Young Transformers Stuffed . and PresE: Secretary; Bro. H. C. Rolfe, Stuffed Circuit Breakers Financial Secretary; Bro. W. Sweet, Fore­ Roast Solder With Paste man; Bro. Laviollette, Business Agent. Fricassed Cross Arms Desert When Mr. James J. Reid, the first Arc Lamp Pudding Glass Insulators Grand Vice-President was here last Dried Current Pie month, he advised us that a large city Carbon Brushes - Locknuts - Buzzers­ like Montreal, it would be wise for us Conduit Pie-Hylo Pudding to have a business agent, so at the next Beverages meeting, we nominated Bro. Flynn and Alternating Currents extra old Bro. Laviolette. Bro. Laviolette was Transformer Oil Curve Grease elected by a very close majority of 4. P. and B. Points Since our business agent is on the road he has done very good for our local, he has brought at least fifteen members each Local Union No. 463. meeting. We all hope that he brings EDITOR ELECTIlICAL WORKER: them all in. Local No. 463 is still doing thriving Now Brother Collins don't put this in business in regards to getting new mem­ the waste basket, but put it in the bers. WORKER as 463 has never had a letter Our business agent is working hard in the ELECTRICAL WORKER. getting the boys in-they are coming Yours fraternally, pretty fast. At every meeting there is JULES LUSIGNAN. always a long chain of new members to Montreal, March 29, 1907. be initiated. Let them all come they are all welcome. "Every little bit Helps!" Our hlacl,board lectures is drawing <­ Local Union No. 484. pretty large crowd, but there is always a EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: gang of them that never come around. As our Local has not yet appeared in If .each brother would take an interest your "Valuable Worker" and being ap­ in the meetings, changes for the better pointed Press Secretary at our l3.st meet­ would be noticeable very soon. Don't ex­ ing I will try and convince you that we pect us few to do the work for all. The are still alive in Waterbury, Ct. work here is fair, and the outlook is good for some time to come. We initiated two honorable members Yours fraternally, at our last meeting. Namely the one J.LUSIGNAN. week old son of our Worthy President, C. K. Ahearn and four week old son of our worthy brother, Johp. Shea. We are Local Union No. 463. having good success at present as the EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: boys are bringing in five and six every You have never heard from Local 463 meeting. before in this ELECTRICAL WORKER, but I We gave a smoker in February, which D.ave beer.. chosen to throw the ink for was a decided success and expect to 58 THE ELECTIUCAL WORKER

give another in April to celebrate the gate elected by the Building Trades Al­ first anniversary of our local. liance of Mount Vernon in which we are We have had hard striving in Water­ affiliated and to hear some of the reports bury on account of recent labor troubles, he sends in is wonderful and if ever two but the boys hung together and worked delegates were doing their work it is our hard and we are now traveling along two with very large fields to cover they very successfully. Thanks to the ef!orts certainly shine_ I had a pleasant sojourn of our President and charter members of four weeks at the Power House here worked very hard in the past and are and of all the wind jammers I ever run still after the slow ones. Thanking you across, some of them are the limit, in advance for the space we have occu­ preaching brotherly love one minute and pied, I remain the next running down some member Fraternally yours, with the foulist of language, even if some Jos. D. HARTNETT. brother make mistakes and goes wrong, now and then, the cause can be laid to no one except to the above, we are all Local Union No. 497. human beings, but to hear them jammer­ EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: ing it is certainly disgusting, there had Will try once more to bring' Local ought to be a club formed, called say Union No_ 497 to the memory of the Booster club, in all unions where by all Electrical world. We are still in exist­ members would be obliged to boost and ence and doing business at the same old never run down. The work on the Power stand, while our local does not grow in House is progressing rapidly and it will members it grows in strength, we have certainly be a monument to skilled labor good delegates to District Council, and when it is finished, we are at present brothers that will most certainly fight working hard on our agreement with for the good of the union. We elected a every prospect of it being put through. Vice-President to fill the unexpired term We were given permission to have our of Bro. Turoy; the nev: Vice-President charter changed to read Yonkp.rA Monnt is Bro. Walter Forbs, a good true blue. Vernon and Vicinity at the last District Now we are going to have a picniC on Council meeting, which no doubt will July 20th with contests and games, there mean very much to us in the future. We will be a Climbing contest; first prize, had a social meeting here on the 18th $15.00; second prize, $10.00; third prize, given to us by those whom we patronized $5.00; fourth prize, pair of climbers. in giving our reception on March 1st, This contest is confined to members of some of the boys enjoyed it very much. the I. B. E. W. and they must show a I will now close and hope you will find good card before they are allowed to space for this report, I will say goodby climb_ Entrance fee one ($1.00) dollar, till next month. anyone wishing to enter can do so by Yours fraternally, sending their name with the entrance fee FRANCIS F. CROWLEY. to D. Sullivan, 20 Cartleton ave., Thomp­ kinsville, S. I., N. Y., but in no case will Local Union No. 505. they be entered without the fee. There EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: will be other games besides, such as the three legged race, and a one hundred I wish to state that I have been elected yard dash, and others, hope that all Press Secretary of Local No. 505, and good brotherhood men in this vicinity although r am not much on the corre­ will try these contests, some of the latter sponding line I will endeavor to make games are open to all. Well there is good to the best of my ability, as I ap­ plenty of work in this viCinity at present preciate the honor conferred on me by and it looks as if there will be for some the boys inasmUCh, and I am almost a time to come. Hoping you will find room total stranger to them all. in the WORKER for this I still remain, The brothers of 505 are about to enjoy Yours fraternally, what we believe will be a season of W. WATSO::-;. prosperity as work is booming in this Station Island, N. Y., April 21, 1907. section of the country and all but two or three of the boys are working. What is most important of all is the Local Union No. 501. fact that an agreement went into effect EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: on April 1st giving the journeymen $3.75 Between hail, rain, snow and sunshine per day and helpers $2.20 per day. I will try and say a few words while the This a number 1 considering that it is sun is shining once again. The members the first attempt of 505 to secure an are all hustling as never before and the agreement and as it went through with­ outlook in this viCinity is getting better out any great resistance the boys are every day, and when you think of it we highly elated. are not a year in the field, yet and at The agr~ement also gives us half Satur­ present we are supporting two delegates. day. of! from the second Saturday in May On Saturday, March 30 there was a dele- until September. THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 59

I am sorry to say that as in most all' ers who know of our existence and, as I' organizations No. 505 has a member who hope and trust, have the welfare of our is inclined to be a little of the black future success at heart. sheep variety, but as we are giving long To begin with prospects at present do odds and taking chances that the brother not look very favorable for this summer. will fall into line before the next meeting The Kinloch Tel. Co. are doing away with and set himself right we will say very all the employes they can, and what little on the subject at this time. places are to be filled, will be by the very As this is about all the news that I cheapest help they can find, and it seems can give at the present time I will ter­ the country here abouts is over run with. minate with best wishes from all broth­ Well, I can not call them men, but there ers of 505 to all brothers of the I. B. E. are those who cannot under any consid­ W. throughout the universe. eration think of their own and their Fraternally yours, families welfare enough to ask for a JOHN J. HILL. decent living for their labors. I am sorry to state that even in our "QUEER ENGLISH." organization their are many such ones We'll begin with a box, and the plural is and they are ever ready to give a fellow boxes, worker and brother the ragged end of the But the plural of ox should be oxen, not string, and when they are down and out, oxes. there are those who say he is no good, Then one fowl is goose, but two are called and who talk about an unfortunate, un­ geese, employed brother in such a way that it Yet the plural of mouse should never be makes even the devil ashamed of his meese. subjects. Brothers, I am speaking of You may find a lone mouse of a whole facts for I myself have often heard just nest of mice, • such talk and remarks, and it does not But the plural of house is houses, not stop at that alone, they go so far as to hice. talk even of the loved one in our homes, If the plural of man is always called they do not even have enough self respect men, for themselves and their own home to Why shouldn't the plural of pan be keep their head closed to such unbrother­ called pen? ly feelings. Well my dear brothers, we The cow in the plural may be cows or all know how and what is is to try keep­ kine, ing a local on its feet in such a wee But the plural of vow is vows, not vine. small place as this. Not long ago our And if I speak of a fool, and you show me union appointed a committee to learn if your feet, possible what the prospects would be for And I give you a boot, would a pan be an agreement with the Kinloch Tel. Co., called beat? and of course said company began to get If one is a tooth and a whole lot are scared, nothing to be alarmed at I am teeth, sure. In the meantime there was but Why shouldn't the plural of booth be one of the committee of three who would called beeth? go ahead with the duties, the other two If the singulars this and the plural is could not meet, perhaps it would have these, caused the loss of a much desired six Should the plural of kiss be nicknamed bit job; this member of said committee keese. had a very pleasant interview and was Then one may be that and thee would much incouraged, but as at the present be those, the great large and soulless Tel. Co. is Yet hat in a plural would never be hose. not as yet got over their soreness of We speak of a brother and also of breth­ having to come across to as good as ren, bunch of brothers of our craft as was But, though we say mother we never say ever bounded together. The company did methren. not see their way clear to stand by us. Then masculine pronouns are he, his or Well of course we learning how condi­ him, tions were did not get up any agreement, But imagine the feminine, she, shis or but decided to remain under present shism. working conditions, $2.50 per 9 hour day. To the English I think you all will agree, Since that time, well, it is a case of root Is the most wonderful language you ever hog or die, and brothers, right now, I did see_ want to state to all concerned that the Fraternally yours, only way to keep even with the big cor­ FRANCIS F. CROWLEY. porations is to do so by either the whole organization or by each district council, Local Union No. 519. and in that way we can either win a EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: glorious victory or cause them to loose I will communicate with our brother­ heavily. Brothers, here is a proposition, hood through the WORKER. I trust the as we stand we are nothing more than follc>wing will be of interest to all broth- slaves of frenzied finance, of course there 60 THE ELECTRICAL WORKEH are many of us who hope to some day for on that eventful evening we were win a place of standing, well in the eyes brought into existence, having been duly of the heartless corporations, and who instituted with eleven cha.rter members. will gain these points by any and all The regular order of business ha.ving ways and means. Now as we stand we been disposed of we proceeded to partake have all to gain and nothing to loose, of refreshments which consisted of ham for live we must and will do, regardless and cheese sandwiches, pickles, salad and of whether we are at play or at work. a host of other things I cannot remember, What is the future, stop and consider, including cigars and soft drinks and that as I see it, labor and capital are booked liquid so near and dear to most of us to fight it out and brothers it can be which comes in bottles and kegs. done without blood shed. Now, I cannot The mental food consisted of speeches take. all the space of our journal, and per. by the worthy G.V.P. Brother M. J. Sulli· haps none at all, so brothers I am going van and some of the members. to ask any and all to write me a line, express your views and opinions, it may The officers for the present term are: be of much and benefiCial interest to you, President, Bro. Elmore; Vice·President, I, and all of the great and large body of Bro. Ferry; Financial Secretary, Bro. working people. Can you give me that Stowe; Recording Secretary, Bro. Eld­ much of your time and consideration and ridge; Treasurer, Bro. Sorensen; Forman, perhaps the cost of it all will only be a Gro. Green; -Inspectors, Brothers Moyer few cents. With the interest of the and Powell; Trustees, Brothers Allison, brotherhood at heart and the welfare of Gillette and Martin. the working people, I remain, Our regular weekly meetings are al­ Yours truly, ways well attended. We are taking in E. A. KURTZ. new members most every m~eting night Paris, Ill., 401 Elm street. so that our books now show a member· ship of about fifty-five. Local Union No. 533. The brothers are all working together EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: in conjunction with District Council for Work is scarce here at present, both the best interests of the Local and the outside and inside. Brotherhood. The local extends a hearty The Pioneer Telephone have cut down welcome and well wishes for each and their force. The Street Ry. Co. have every member in the I. B. E. W. commenced the overhead work, and they GEORGE SORENSEN. seem to have about all the men they can use. I am happy to say you must have the "Green goods" or you can't work for Local Union No. 541. them, which cannot be said of the other EDITOR ELECTRICAL WORKER: companies doing work here. While we As we have been organized for some­ cannot offer any brothers encouragement time now its probably up to me to write to come hHe for work, we are always you. We have practically every good glad to see Visiting brothers, but are not man in the City in our trade in the local at home unless they have the cards. We now and expect to get the balance (only have not succeeded in all we have under· 4) of them very soon, as you know we tal,en, but are still hopeful. Next Satur­ were organized before with the Metal day night will be the first meeting of Polishers and Brass Workers, but it has nelpgates for our labor congress or cen· not been to the benefit of any of the tral body. Well we have over thirty members, therefore we got together and lights on our circuit-how is that for a sent a committee to call on the Electrical new local. We are always glad to reo Workers, with the result as you know. ceive the WORKER, but once in a while A charter in the I. B. E. W. We are only we see a familiar name that makes us 14 members at present, but the spirit homesick some. Come over Newton that exists among them is truely some­ (Shorty) and lets go fishing. thing wonderful. Hope the five will last, W. D. SPENCER. and I think it will. Now the thing I want to get at is this, from the time we left the Metal Polishers we have been Local Union No. 537. hounded by the cry of deserter, traitors, EOITOI\ ELECTRICAL WORKER: etc., from the handfull of remains of the Having been duly elected Press Secre· Metal Polishers. tary of Cable Splicers Local No. 537 it At the first meeting of the Trades becomes my pleasant duty to give some Council our delegate was not seated on alarm at the door of the editorial rooms an objection from the M. P. This was that will attract the attention of the left in the hands of the grievance com­ editor in order to gain admission into the mittee, which found that the only thing columns of the WORKER for our little local. the M. P. had against us was that the On February 2d we had what can Electrical Workers did not have jurisdic­ truthfully be termed a jolly good time, tion over chandelier work. The commit- THE ELEOTRICAL WORKER 61

tee reported in our favor and the dele­ our delegate out of the Council for a gate was seated. Now at last nights short time. Now I will close my long meeting another rumpus was started by and probably tiresome letter with one the same crowd, that ollr delegatte should more request that you send me the names be thrown out of the Council. This came and addresses of 4 or 5 branch locals as very near going through, but was nipped we would like to hear from them in re­ in the bud by an amendment postponing gards to working agreements existing until some later time when the Council bE'tween fixture hangers and wiremen. would have the matter looked upon. One Thanking you for an early reply. I am' of the things that was mentioned was Yours fraternally, . that we would be compelled to go back to the M. P. In this work he was nobly E. H. GAXllIm". assisted by the colleagues from the Metal 4556 32d ave, South, Local 541. Trades Council, a council that I person­ ally helped to organize in Memphis, and of which a chandelier man was .the first Local Union No. 544. president. Now J don't want you to think that we are all in corner hiding, EllITOR ELECTRICAL \VORKER: but it makes it disagrE'eahle to constantly President, Jas. Malone; Vice-President, have to UE' on the edge and my idea in Pat. McAlpine; Financial Secretary, J. writing yon is to get all the information W. Hill; Recording Secretary, Farrell yoU' can give us. We have been nobly Scarlett; First Inspector, Geo. Armstrong; assisted by Bro. Flanagan anu he is Second Inspector, H. Shackleton; Fore· sticking right with us amI we will stick man, Robt. Berder. to the bunch. You can count on that. We have one of the best union townt';, 'Would yon advise me to write to the and as we are out for business, are going A. F. of L? However it can run on until to keep the ball rolling. they tire of it for we don't pay much at tE'ntion to it and I don't think it matters Fraternally yours, mUf'h if they should succeed in throwing FARHEI.L SCARLETT.

STATE COUNCIL. Delegates called to order at 11 a. m., from F. O. Plummer for the licensing of as foltows: inspectors of wire's be read and referred No. 96, Worcester, Strout and' Miller. to the N. E. D. C. No. ]03, Bradford and Roberts. Motion by Davidmyer that the minutes No. 104, Birmingham, Murphy and of this meeting be print'3cl in the 'VORKg;{. Dionne. Motion by Strout that the election of No. 224, New Bedford, T. A. Loftus. officers be postponed unLl1 next meeting. No. IiO::, Boston, F. H. Davidmyer. Motion by Murphy that all Lorals as , lliHr,nssed the question of organizing far as possible be visited and all Locals until 12:30 and alljourned till 1:30. The he notified of the next meeting and askrd object of the State Council as set forth to send delegates. was: 1st-A thorough organization of the Birmingham, Miller, Strout, David­ State. myer, Dionne and Loftus to attend to the 2d-A uniform wage. matter. 3d-A plan of information whereby The old per capita of one per cent per members out of work may be informed of month for the running expenses of the vacancies in any part of the State. Council was l'e-adopted. To meet at least once in two months Motion that we endorse the strike of to discuss trade conditions and such other No. 258 of Providence, R. I., ancI to keep matters as may come up. all linemen away during trouble was And to l{eep at it. until every man carried. working at the trade is a member of the Motion that the five Locals of Boston Brotherhood. try and form a greater Boston Council of The unseating from the Building Electrical Workers. Trades Section of the' C. L. U. of Boston Motion by Miller that we adjourn until of Local No. 503 (Fixture Hangers) was the .. th Sunday in May, at 10 o'clock at brought up and discussed. Resolution of­ Well's Memorial Building, 987 Washing­ feredby Bradford and Davidmyer that ton street, Boston, Mass. we communicate with First Vice Presi­ The next meeting of the New England dent Reed and ask for his assistance in District Council will be the 13th and 14th the matter was adopted. Motion made of July. Saturday and Sunday; at Boston. that we send a copy to Vice President S. A. STROUT, Secretary, Reed and one to the N. E. D. C. so voted. 419 Main st., Worcester, Mass. Motion by Strout that the proposed bill Boston, April 14th, 1907. 62 THE ELECTRICAL WORKER CHICAGO LINE~ENS' GLOVE FOR TELEPHONE LINEMEN AND ELECTRICAL WORKERS I UN"ION" :M:ADE I Made in Buck.kin, Hor.ehide and CaIC.kin ••••

Protection CODll"ort Durabilit.... EconoDl....

Write Cor our Illustrated catalottue-FREE The Chicago Glove &Mitten Co. Prnnrio+nr C; W!LTSH!RE, • I "t'IIV,"VI.

170 N. Halsted Street Chicago, U. S. A.

PRICE LIST OF SUPPLIES.

Cfuarter Fee, for each member .... U 00 Electrical Worker subscription, per Seal •••.••••••••••••..•••••••••••• II 60 . year ..•...... $1 00 Rolled-Gold Charms ...... 2 00 Treasurer's Account Book ...... 60 Solid Gold Emblematic Buttons, ea 1 00 Treuurer's Receipt Book ...... 26 Heavy Rolled-Gold Emblematic But- Warrant Book for R. S...... 25 tons, each ...... 60 Financial Secretary's Ledger, 200 Constitutions, per 100 ..•...... • 5 00 pages ...... 1 50 Membership Cards, per 100 ...•... 1 00 Financial Secretary's Ledger, .00 Traveling Cards, per dozen ....'. . . 50 pages ...... 2 50 Withdrawal Cards, per d'Ozen ..... 50 Minute Book for R. S. ••••.•.••••• 76 Application Blanks, per 100 ...... 50 Day Book ...... •...... •.•... 50 Extra Rituals, each .•...... • 26 Roll Call Book •...... • . . 60 Blank Bonds, each ...... •...... 10 Note-The a;bove articles wlll be sup­ Working Cards, per 100 ....•..•... 60 plied only when the requisite amount of OtBclal Letter Paper, per 100 .•.• 50 cash acoompaniee the 'Order, otherwise Offlcial Envelopes, per 100 •••...•• 60 the order will not be recognized. All omclal Notice of Arrears, per 100 50 supplies sent by us have postage or ex­ F. S. Report Blanks, per dozen ••• 50 press charges prepaid. Set of Book!!, including RecelptlJ, Warrants, etc .•...... •...... Ii 00 Address, Peter W. Collins, G. S. THE ELECTRICAL WORKER 63 Donnelly Climbers Ask your dealer for the Donnelly, He either carries them in stock or will get them for you, If not send to us direct,

Pri .. p.r~~~;!GPr:P~~~ . • ~oo Prict p;:Ehp~~!~~~ .. ~OO Pri .. por P&ir, hprdlll 001l0Gt ...... 1.JiG IPri .. por P&ir) hPr- 0011...... 1.JiG Inn. Span, 2S Otnll per P&ir, PoIipai.4. hlr& Spun, 40 Ofs. ,If P&ir, ilIo1uolinr Ri,,11 CASH IN ADVANCE Insist on hav ing the Donnellv, and you'll never regret it, Every Pair Guaranteed, Manufactured by The Blakeslee Forging Co. PLANTSVIllE, CONN.

Just th~ _thind for Electricians

t~ry as a side l ine THE BESSELTRIC Cigar Lighter

Works on either current and produces an instantaneous light giving 1500 lights for one cent, adapted for cigar stores, smoki nil' rooms and offices. Shipped complete with 5 ft. cord, attach· ment plug and extra lighting disk for ~.OO, C. O. D. F. O. B., Scranton, Pa. (Patented) Write for prices and discounts to wiremen. W hen ordering give voltage required and mention E lectrical Worker. :-: :.:

/S6./S8 Washington .IIveltUfI, Besseltric Lighter Co., SCR.IINTON. P.II.

"DIAMOND H" BR.ANCH OFFICES New york ...... •. . . . •...... 203 Broadway BOlton ...... •...... 170 Summer St. SWITCHES Chicago ...... 167 So. Canal St. Toronto, Ont ...... 52 Adelalde St. W. Hart Mf,. Co. Hartford, Conn. London, Enl" •...... • %5 Victoria St. --Yank ee" S p ir a l - R a tc h et Screw Driver RllI!ht aftel Lef"t No. 35. Hanel aftel Rigiel

In construction It Is the same as the No. 30 and 31, but smaller and fer driving small screws only. It is intended for electrical workers, cabinet makers, carpenters and mechanics having a large ~umber of small screws to drive, and where a lighter weight tool will be much more sensitive and convenient than the standard patterns, or No. 30. H is small enough to be conveniently carried In the pocket, measuring 7 in. long when closed (without bit) and weighing complete less than 7 ounce•.

It drives BOre"," in or oqt, ratchets Chuck in or out, and i8 arranged to hold rigid when olosed or extended. with fs U8;~~~~;i~e~~~,!!:~~Ou~h~~~r~ ~: ~~~~~t:?Jl :;;.. t:r~-:;h t~~l!.~ttened Drill Poin ts 5 Th. great con ••nience of thitl new 64- drh"ar in its .waller size and ]eeser la, I. and .'. as d:'!rr~~]:l~o~o::ne~: :::aem!t·oi!t shown, also ready h&.~ the No. 00. The lellKth ot A tool with bit III chuck I. g~ In. Cl""ed and 1~ In. when extended. Countersink can be furnished to fit E"tra long bits projecting: . in. be· No.3' Yankee Spiral-Ratchet ~~~: ~~:'('~a:rb~ 1~f8te:d tr~J!"::~ width•. Screw Driver.

NORTH ~ BROS. MFG. r CO .• Philadelphi a , Pa., U. S. A.

"Like a Duck's Foot in the Mud" HEN you draw on a pair of Hansen's gloves they fit and feel like kid. They are never W clumsy, stiff or unyielding, no matter what the weight of leather. They are cut correctly in shape and size; the seams are placed where they cannot pressed into the hand or grip; though reinforced at every point of strain there are no extra thicknesses or ridges to bind, stiffen and . ...,. .. hurt. They feel right and comfortable on the hand and they fit like the proverbIal duck. foot m the muc;l. Hansen's Railroad Gloves are made with and without rivets, lined and unlined, in all weights and leathers, glove or gauntlet style. hide numbers dry soft and pliable, no matter how often water-soaked or exposed to heat or steam. Send 16 cents for rich Oxidized Silver-6nish fob with :JOUT Send for handy free T tmebook and Catalogue, handsomely initial beautifully enameled 011 its fa"". Be aure 10 .tale initial wanted. i!lustra~ in actual colors; also full Pat· r Free informabon how you may get a o. C. Hansen Mfg. Co. 361 East Water St., Milwaukee ~ SAVE DOLLARS ~

No Rivets ·· Out Seams ·· They Fit ~--~~

By wearing "Sargent Cloves" you save m oney because you buy fewer gloves during the year.

W rite for our handsome booklet, In colors, so as to learn just h ow a good g love is made and we will send you a sample of our I!"enuine Chrome tanned (heat and waterproof) Horsehide leather made up in a v e ry useful match safe.

DETROIT LEATHER SPECIALTY CO. ~X CLUSIVE MANUFACTURERS DETROIT ...... MICHICAN TillS ADV. IS WORTII .90c to YOU

On receipt of $2.10, If you will mention thiS adv" 1 will end you a pair of Climbers, ,Ive you free a 51.00 aet of Straps and Pads and prepay express. Do it now. "Thisj?rice will be advanced monthly until turtht'r notice. These Cllmbt'rs are for sale by Supply Huuses in all large cities." JOlIN J. REIDY Manufacturer of All Kinds of Linemen's Straps and Belts MILL ST. AND SALTON TALL AVE., NEW HAVE CONN

OFFICERS AND 0 RECTORS : J. M. BOUR, Pres. EMERY TIUERWECHTBR, Vice Pre •• FRANK H. CHAPMAN. Sec·y. W. E. JACOBY, Treu. Jos. LAURR.

The Yost Electric Mfg. ~Oo

MANUFACTURERS O~ THE YOST SOCKET ELECTRIO APPLIANCES ("ND SPECIALTIE8 Cepital $200,000.00. TOLEDO. OHIO

To assure prompt attention, all communications should be addressed to the Company. reduce. the workln. & capacity of motor or SOLID GOLD $5.00 I SPARKING dynamo, wean ont the commutator, wastes power and may cau•• a fire. All this may be avoided if you uee

The onl, article that,,11I prennt .parkln•. Will bop tho commutator in good eonditloD and preTeD' ..... tina. Aboolot6I, wjll not aom the bruoh•• II 1riJI p1l11b1 kith Clou D' I.. ooll1lll1ltolD,. y'. UTI .. II&( -qil rJItr. S.. d (or SUck. 50•. pft mOl. ,5.00 PD 10_ Gold Plat.d • • $2.00 Small Solid Gold Butto... • .75 ,.,. 101, by &lJ Match Saf•• " .. B. E. W ." • .25 &, II':=;- .25 ""Iya... n ••,. K. McLENNAN CO., Copie. of CoDY8ntioD Proeeedin•• 180 Dearborn St. CHIO.... O Copi•• of Co... titutioD .06 Room 4,11 Blake Insulated Stapiea. Blake Compressed Cleats BLAKE lla SIGNAL & MFG. CO. 246 SUMMER ST. BOSTON, MASS.

BLAKE TUBE FLUX Convenient to carrY and to use. Will not collect dust and dirt nor get on tools in kit. You can get the solder. ing fiux jnst where you want it and In just the desired qnantlty.