THE JOURNAL OF ~ tt~\\lCAL WORREP . ~~ AND OPERATORS d3 c OFFI<!IAL PUBLICATION· INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS II OHN II Septe.m ber t 1917 111An;.\oy n II .t DJs>oJ'lli AFFILIATED WITH THE II l"WfISS n AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR IN ALL ITS D EPA R T MEN T S II az!.L. II . DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF ORGANIZED LABOR 11°f u;!.).\ II II "REO DEVIL" -- That's All You Need to Know About Pliers You can accept that trade mark with the utmost confidence of yom skill that they will work more faithfully for you, stand harder wear and ~ outlast other tools. Made by master mechanics with over 20 year.' experience. All sizes and styles of Combination, Burner Grip, Side Cut­ . ting, Needle Nose, Curved Nose, Flat· Nose, Splicing, etc. To be obtained from all good dealers. Write for literature. ·th .& H C I 105 Co it St., Sml emen way ·0., nco Irvington, N. J. , Union Made Union Label STAlIIIPZD wrra: TBB 17ln:Olll" LABEL. If you have not used this Bit, please do so at once. Any Electrician that does not like it better than any Bit he ever had, can get his cash back. Gentlemen, is this the kind of a guarantee you like to see on Union Label Goods? Now, it's up to you. ~:~u~ac~u~e~ w. A. Ives Mfg. Co., Wallingford, Conn. UNION ELECTRICIANS We are receIVmg daily inquiries for our No. 20 Catalogue from inter­ ested craftsmen who are looking for a GOOD bit. This is the "Mephisto." Write us today. The W; A. Ives Mfg. Co., Wallingford, Conn. Blake Insulated Staples BLA·KE 6 Signal & Mfg. Co. "3 - 4 Sizel rf2t 251 Caulewey St. l BOSTON :-: MASS. Pet. No... 1900. Pet. July 1906 BLAKE TUBE FLUX fT Convenient to carry and to use. Will not collect dust and dirt . nor get on tools in kit. You can get the solder­ ing flux just where you .want it and in just the desired quantity. When writing mention The Journal of Electrical Workers and Operatora. The Journal of Electrical Workers and Operators OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE International Brotherhood @f Electrical Workers Affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and all Its Departments. OWNED AND PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS CRAS. P. FORD, International Secretary, GENERAL OFFICES: REISCH BUILl)lNG SPRINGFIELD, ILL. Subscription, 25c per year, in advance. This Journal will not be beld res'ponsible' for views expressed by correspondents. The tentb of each month is tbe closing date; all copy must be in our hands on or befoN Second Class privilege applied for at tbe Post Office at Spring1\eld, IIIinou., under Act of June 29th, 1916. INDEX. Around the Circuit. ....................... ' ............ 55 56 Correspondence ................,...................... 71 86 Editorial .............................................. 64 66 Executive Officers ......................... :......... 63 In Memoriam ........................................ 58 61 Local Union Official Receipts........ .... .. 67 68 Local Union Directory ................................. 87 96 Missing and Void Receipts ............................. 68 70 Notices ............................................... 63 Things Electrical ..................................... 56 57 War Work and Union Standards ....................... 52 55 THE JOUBIAL OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND OPERATORS OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS Second Class privi\ese app6ed 101 al Ih. Post Office al Springfield. Illinois. und.r Act 01 Jun. 26th. 1906 Sinal. Copi... 10 Ceall VOL. XVI, NO.2 SPRlrtGFIELD, ILL., SEPTEMBER, 1917. 25c per. Year in.cIvanoe WAR WORK AND UNION STANDARDS By SAMUEL GOMPERS The initial step in the material prep­ But the construction companies began aration necessary for training the army their work along the same lines and poli­ to be used by our nation in the war cies that have inevitably resulted in labor upon which it has entered was the con­ unrest and complaints. These companies, struction of cantonments. No e ff 0 r t even some of those that had generally could be ma'de' in mobilizing new forces been fair, tried to take advantage of the until there were provisions for housing. fact they were performing emergency the soldiers, providing for them living work for the government and to make quarters that would enable them to keep that an excuse for disregarding wage­ physically fit. scales and standards of work that are There are being builded by the War necessary.to protect the lives and health Department sixteen cantonments; each of the workers. Numerous violations of cantonment is practically a city in itself the eight-hour law were reported.' The and must contain provisions for all of companies insisted that the men work the physical and mental needs of the sol­ overtime and many refused to pay the diers. The housing, the sanitary condi­ union scale or the time and one-half for tions, and recreation opportunities, must overtime provided for by the' Naval Ap­ be of the very best, for the men must propriation Act of March 4, 1917. be in the best of condition. In addition, Many companies advertised throughout there must be buildings for social gather­ the state in which they were operating ings, libraries, and for all other activities for workers in all kinds of· trades and necessary to maintain a fighting morale. thus an over~supply of men came to the The gigantic task of completing these place of construction. Some of these sixteen cantonments before September 1 workers paid their own expenses to re­ devolved upon the War Department. Ad­ spond to the advertisements, and arrived ditional understanding of the size and the at the place only to find no employment task comes from the fact that several for them. Companies persisted in this of these cantonments will cost from three advertising policy despite the fact that to five millions of dollars. In order to organizations of labor had put all of the complete the work before' the specified employment agenCies of their offices at time the War Department began work the disposal of the government. on the cantonments before legislation The situation at Fort Benjamin Harri­ was passed appropriating the necessary son at Indianapolis was typical of the funds. In this emergency work contracts labor troubles on cantonment construc­ were not let to competitive bidding, but tion. The Gaylord Engineering Company, contractors willing to take contracts un­ of Scranton, Pennsylvania" secured that der the circumstances began work on the contract. The officers of the Brotherhood basis of a memorandum which allowed of Carpenters, whose headquarters are in them cost, plus from 6 to 7 per cent. Indianapolis, offered to furnish all of the The cantonments which are located at carpenters needed in order thus to avoid well considered places scattered through­ a bringing in of an over-supply which out the United States have been the cen­ would work a hardship to the unneces­ ters of tremendous and intensive activi­ sary men brought in as well as result in ties. Almost incredible progress has lowering the existing scale for the work­ been reported at many different pOints. ers of Indianapolis. Due to the effects For one cantonment tall trees, in which of the war upon the building industry the birds were nesting, were cut and many building tradesmen, including car­ constructed into biIildings within a week. penters, plumbers, and electrical work­ Entire plumbing systems have been' ers, were walking the streets of Indian­ erected within a day. This is the work apolis looking for work. Despite this of loyal, intelligent American brawn and condition the Chamber of Commerce brain. joined with the Gaylord Engineering Com- 52 THE JOURNAL OF ELECTRICAL pany in the advertising campaign which shall be created an adjustment commis· flooded Indianapolis with large numbers sion of three persons, appointed by the of workers from afar. Immediately pro· Secretary of War; one to represent the tests from the men of Indianapolis out Army, one the public, and one Labor; of employment, from those who had been the last to be nominated by Samuel Gom· victimized by misleading advertisements, pel'S, member of the Advisory Commis· and from the officers of labor organiza· sion of the Council of National Defense, tions, were sent to the headquarters of and President of the American Federa· the American Federation of Labor and to tion of Labor. the War Department. The American "As basic standards with reference to Federation of Labor took the matters up each cantonment, such commission shall with representatives of the War Depart· use the union scale of wages, hours and ment and efforts were made to protect conditions in force June I, 1917, in the the workers and to have the Gaylord locality where such cantonment is situ· Engineering Company observe fair stand· ated. Consideration shall be given to ards. However, the government had no special circumstances, if any, al'lsmg established agencies for dealing with after said date which may require partic· such a situation .. The carpenters struck ular advances in wages or changes in the work at Fort Benjamin Harrison in other standards. Adjustment of wages, order to enforce their demands for jus· hours or conditions, made by such boards tice. The strike lasted two days. This are to be treated as binding by all parties. was one of the convincing arguments Nl!.'WTON D. BAKER, that ,made it plain that 'some extra· SAMUEL • GoMPERS." ordinary governmental agency must be established to insure justice for workers In pursuance of this memorandum, engaged in cantonment construction and General E. A. Garlington was appointed thereby to avoid interruption of the work to represent the Army, Mr. Walter Lipp· whic]1 must be completed at an early man, to represent the public, and Mr. date. John R. Alpine, Vice·President of the A. Several conferences were held at the F.