Another Minneapolis printer to get into the political game is A. C. Wallace, who was recently appointed assistant state fire ranger of Minnesota.

John Ostensoe, formerly of Minneapolis, is in town for a short stay. He comes from Sisseton, S. D.

Oscar Schupp, of the Morning Tribune, is back on the job after a visit with his parents at Davenport, Iowa.

Will Dick Parrent, of Fort Worth, Texas, please send his address to the undersigned?

EDWARD S. Kern.

DAVENPORT, IOWA.

Recently the Daily Times acquired a ninety-nineyear lease on property located on East Second street, on which they are going to erect a new building at an outlay of approximately $75,000, which, when completed will be one of the finest publication buildings in the west. The building is to be fireproof, the front to be built of white glazed terra cotta, and the walls and rear of brick, with the floors and roof of reinforced concrete. It will have a frontage of 55 feet on Second street, by 145 feet deep, running through to Commercial alley. A seven-foot areaway will be left clear in each side of the building, thus providing for air and light on all four sides. It will be two stories in hight, but when complete will tower as high as an ordinary three-story building. Ground is to be broken as soon as the frost is out of it, and they expect to be located in their new quarters by September. The pressroom, 22x70 feet, will be on the ground floor, on the right side, in which will be installed a new high-speed Goss sextuple perfecting press, leaving enough room for a similar machine when business warrants. Just back of the pressroom will be the stereotype room, near which will also be located a shower bath for the use of the employes. The composing room, 58x53 feet, will take up the entire width of the building in the rear on the second floor, and will have glass on three sides, which will make it exceptionally well lighted. It has also been announced that there will be several new "Mergs" installed. The front end of the second floor will be devoted to restrooms and an auditorium capable of seating 300 persons, for the free and unlimited use of the people of the Tri-Cities with no charge for rent, light, heat, or janitor service. Without a doubt it will be a credit to Davenport, and a great improvement on East Second street.

The German Democrat and job department are now located in their new building on West Fourth street, across from the city hall, and their old quarters are being torn down to make room for a new bank building to be erected for the German Savings Bank.

Death invaded our ranks twice recently. On December 28 Henry F. Wald, while at work on the Rock Island Union, was overcome by a chok ing spell, which ended fatally. He was 28 years old and leaves a wife and his parents to mourn his untimely end. He was buried on New Year's day, interment being in Oakdale cemetery. About

twenty members of No. 107 attended the services, and members from the Union office acted as pallbearers. Mr. Wald had been a member of No. 107 for about two years, coming here from Butte, Mont.

January 10 occurred the death of James Dromgoole, at the home of his sister. Mr. Dromgoole had been a patient sufferer from a lingering illness of spinal trouble, and for the last two months he had been confined to his bed. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, August 1, 1855, and came to Davenport with his parents when but a year old. He was a veteran printer, his first employment being on the old Gazette. In 1882 he entered the employ of the Rock Island Union and worked on that paper until a year ago, when he was elected township tax collector for Rock Island. Interment was in St. Marguerite cemetery. The deceased was also a member of the Woodmen and the Eagles.

Our contract with the newspapers and job printers expires March 1, 1911, and the committee has drawn up a new scale, which has been presented to the employers. Up to this writing we are unable to say what action they are going to take on it.

George ("Topsy") Siemons is holding down a sit in the county jail of Rock Island-not, however, as a prisoner, but as deputy sheriff. "Packy" Purcell, who has been manipulating a "Merg" in St. Louis for the past five years, is now running a mill on the M. W. of A. publication. Charles E. Washburn, formerly of Laramie, Wyo., is now located in Davenport.

A new printing office has started business in Rock Island under the name of the Novelty Printing Company. A. J. Lukens is the manager. The concern has applied for an assortment of labels.

Our label committee seems to be wandering around in the jungles or else has taken a "Rip Van Winkle" nap. Lately the literature minus the little joker has become quite numerous around here. HAROLD JACOBSEN.

JOPLIN, MO.

After a few months of conferences between the executive committee of No. 350 and the newspaper managers, the new scale was signed by the three daily papers-Globe, News-Herald and Times-and became effective January 1, for a term of three years. The new agreement provides for an increase of $3 over the old one, and reads as follows: Night-foremen, $25; floormen, operators and machinists, $23. Day-foremen, $23; floormen, operators and machinists, $21. One of the managers strenuously objected to the section requiring that "offices having three or more linotypes must employ a machinist," but rather than have trouble over this point, after other differences had been settled, he finally yielded. The jobmen also gained a substantial increase last October, when the signatures of all the job office proprietors were affixed to a two-year contract calling for $20 for foremen, $18 for jobmen and $24 for operatormachinists. The members of the executive committee, of which G. E. Grissom is chairman, deserve boundless credit for their efficient work in making

Joplin a strictly union town without difficulty in a single instance, and also in getting a scale that is satisfactory to all.

The musicians' union bestowed official laurels upon two members of the typographical union at the annual election of officers in January. Our worthy president, Don C. Grafton, received the presidential honors of the musicians, and while he had four opponents for the office, the printermusician had a walkaway when the ballots were counted. W. R. Snoeberger, the other printermusician and our efficient recording secretary, was elected secretary of the musicians' union. The musicians are well organized here and have a membership of about one hundred.

Charles C. Carter is a recent arrival from Coffeyville, Kan., and is working on the Globe. Joe Phillips, of Springfield, Mo., accepted the position as machinist on the News-Herald.

The Globe employes are well pleased with the managing editor's choice of L. C. McCarn, who has been working in the adroom, as telegraph editor.

The Joplin Printing Company has added another Miehle press to its well-equipped plant, and it is rumored that a linotype will be installed soon.

Charles Hertenstein, of St. Louis, president of No. 8, represented the International here in the pending scale negotiations with the newspaper managers in December. Mr. Hertenstein has a number of friends in Joplin, and made many more during his short visit.

A complete photo-engraving plant is the latest acquisition to the printing industry of Joplin, installed by the Joplin Engraving Company.

Oh, you Oklahoma City in 1912! You look good to the Joplin printers. W. A. MYERS.

CHARLESTON, W. Va.

State Printer Guthrie is getting out the House Journal, the senate not having yet organized at this writing, owing to a lot of "baby play" on the part of the members, or a part of them, at least. The Tribune has had a mandamus gotten out and the matter was heard before the supreme court as to whether or not Guthrie was the lowest bidder, they claiming the extensions were not properly added up, and that when they were properly added they (the Tribune Company) would be the lowest bidders, and asked that the printing commission award them the contract. In the meantime Guthrie is printing. He has two linotypes, and has installed the first monotype ever used here. The plant of the company has been moved to the old Tribune building, on Summers street, and is being added to in a large way by new material and an increased force.

The union elected Howard S. Jarrett as delegate to the state federation of labor, which met here this month.

The tie in the senate has left the matter in doubt as to whether or not John Harris would be elected as clerk of the senate, he having held that position several times, and for several terms appointing A. D. Butts as printing clerk. Mont Topping, as clerk of the house, has been likewise good to How

ard Jarrett, and it is hoped that they will both "light" again, as it seems good to see some of the home printers get some of the "pickin's."

L. P. Goodrich has packed up and gone-first to New York and later up in New England.

John Hunter has no opposition in his candidacy as delegate to San Francisco; at least none have announced themselves as yet.

The state board of trade is getting out again this session its weekly bulletin informing its patrons of the passage of legislation of interest to the membership. This is the second term it has published this bulletin, and it has been decided to make it a permanent feature.

All the shops are busy, with plenty of help, so far as reported, unless some extra machine men could be accommodated, and they only spasmod ically. D. C. LOVETT, Jr.

SPRINGFIELD, MASS.

No. 216's new scale seems to be working smoothly, and the committee that drafted it is to be congratulated on the thoroughness of the work.

Death has taken one of our number in the person of Gilbert Grippen, who died in Pittsfield, Mass., on January 5, after a long illness. He was one of the Phelps employes, and was taken ill early in the year 1910, and after a long time in the hospital left for Pittsfield. He was taken with grip on the first of September and was unable to shake it off; pneumonia set in and he succumbed, after a long fight for his life, on the date stated.

Evidently satisfied with the work of its executive, No. 216 at its December meeting re-elected its old officers en bloc, though there was a somewhat spirited contest for the post of sergeant-at

arms.

Howard T. Cooke is the new chairman on the night side of the Union, replacing Arthur Phillips, who has performed creditably in that capacity for over a year. Charles P. Hughes is acting in a similar capacity on the night side of the Republi

can.

Bowling is flourishing among the newspaper men. Four teams, two each from the Republican and two from the Union, are fighting for premier honors, and at time of writing it is difficult to say which team will take them. The Republican men have instituted what might be termed the Most Noble Order of the Metal Pig. A round pig has been cast and on it has been inscribed by one of the artistically inclined ones, "The Sunshine League, 1910-11-Lowest Score." Every week a nonpareil slug is attached by means of wires, on which is carved the name of the bowler who has distinguished-or disgraced-himself by rolling the lowest string. The emblem is becoming quite a souvenir, and, tied up as it is with ribbon, makes a unique ornament for the composing room. dare not name those whose names decorate the affair at present.

There has been quite a lot of controversy locally anent the fact that our pensioners are compelled to pay old age pension assessment on the pension itself. It seems a manifest injustice, to say the

least, that after a man has paid assessment all his life he should still have to pay assessment on what he has already-literally-bought. True, it will be argued that the present pensioner is ahead of the game, but the principle seems to call for revision. Now, some of you coming delegates to the International convention, put your wits in steep and devise some scheme whereby a man does not have to pay twice over for the same thing.

The financial secretary has had a telephone installed in his residence, the number being 1821-1. This information is given as a correction, as owing to a misunderstanding the number has been printed erroneously on the working cards. Will the cardholder kindly take notice and make the correction on his card? A. F. HARDWICK.

HOLYOKE, MASS.

The beginning of 1911 finds No. 253 in a most flourishing condition. We have about fifty members and all are employed regularly. Our new wage scale went into effect on January 1, and everything points to our continued prosperity.

At our last meeting the scale committee made its report, which was to the effect that it had secured the signatures of all the employers. This scale is for five years, and carries with it an increase of $3, to be given a dollar at a time, on the first day of January, 1911, 1912 and 1913, then to run two years without any change. This increases floormen in jobrooms from $15, machine men from $18, newspaper floormen from $16.50, practically three different raises of $1 each year all around. Provision is also made for the proper piping away of the fumes from metal pots on machines and furnaces. William Daily, of the committee, received especial praise for his work on the committee.

E. S. Alden was again elected as president to serve us during the coming year. President Alden is "some" prominent in labor circles in this region, being vice-president of the central labor union of this city and owner and editor of the Artisan, a paper devoted entirely to labor's interest, which has a circulation of nearly 5,000.

Fred Guertin, formerly of this city, but now of the New York American chapel, was in town recently renewing old acquaintances.

The coming year bids fair to be a bright one in labor circles. We have with us an organizer from the American Federation of Labor who is endeavoring to organize all crafts not enrolled under the union banner. All the unions have taken hold enthusiastically and plans are being matured which we hope will make Holyoke one of the best organized cities in the country. All here believe that by helping others we help ourselves. We expect every member of our local to shout for the other fellows and at the same time put in a word for our label.

Already some of our members have the glitter of the "golden west" in their eyes and are on the hustle trying to urge the ways and means committee to greater activity, so that funds may be available when the time comes to elect a delegate for the San Francisco convention. President Alden is doing some great "missionary" work, but William

Daily, who will be remembered by many members of "Big Six" because of his years of service on the New York Times, is doing lots of quiet work, and some of the members who have before them the results of his unceasing work in signing up the new scale, which went into effect on New Year's day, believe he should be the delegate. At the present time it is hard to decide "who's who." W. S. FRIEND.

were

NASHVILLE, TENN.

The Tennessee Federation of Labor met in Nashville, January 2. It was the largest convention held in the history of the federation. There a number of international representatives, also fraternal delegates from the farmers' anion and a fraternal delegate from the Georgia State Federation, that state being represented by Jerome Jones. Tennessee should be one of the best organized states in the union. The writer sent out fifty circular letters to the different international officers inviting them to send representatives to the convention and received but one reply, from the cigar makers' union. The garment workers have organized a new factory, which gives them a membership of about five hundred in Nashville. This shows what can be done in other trades if Tennessee had a number of good organizers.

Printing business in Nashville is very dull. A large number of printers have been out of employment both in newspaper and book and job of fices. Several of the large offices which handle tariff work have had scarcely anything to do and the consolidation of the Tennesseean and American caused a number of men to lose their situations.

At the next meeting of the union the newspaper scale will come up for final action. Printers hope they will get the increase asked for.

The writer received a few days ago a family group of Henry Scott, an old friend of Decatur, Ill. Twenty years ago the writer and Scott worked on the American in the old hand days, and he prizes the picture very much.

ALFRED CAFFREY.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA.

The grand ball to be given this month will be a grand success, financially and socially. Already several hundred tickets have been sold. Ere this article reaches the readers other features for raising money will be well under way to swell our treasury and add to the convention fund to send our boosters to the 1911 convention in San Francisco to work for our city as the next meeting place for the International Typographical Union. The committees are working hard at this time, and everything seems favorable for success for Oklahoma City, which always makes good in all promises made by its boosters. Delegates and visitors need have no fear or hesitancy in boosting our candidacy, for all will be well satisfied after making a visit to our wonderful city, and enjoying the novel entertainment we will provide for them in case they favor us with the meeting in 1912. Now,

altogether, for one grand boost in San Francisco, and send the convention to the metropolis of the great southwest.

Charles H. Munger, employed here for the past six months, has returned to his home in Louisville, Ky. H. H. Muir and wife have returned to their home in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Muir was employed as an operator on the Oklahoman while here.

"Kid" Pate, traveler, make-up on the Oklahoman three years ago, and since that time filling a like situation in New Orleans, is in the city, coming here from Springfield, Ill. Pate says this city is more up-to-date than any he has visited since leaving here.

Joseph King, ad "boss" on the Daily Oklahoman, and Miss Mary Ann Funkhouser, were married December 18. The Oklahoman chapel presented them with a swell silver set.

Guy McWilliams, employed at the Oklahoma Engraving and Printing Company, was married at Wichita, Kan., December 20, to Miss Ethel Keeler, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Mike J. Williams, ex-president and ex-delegate of Oklahoma City Union, was honored in December by being elected grand knight of Oklahoma Council No. 1038, Knights of Columbus. "Mike" is foreman of the Warden Printing Company.

Delegate bees are buzzing in several of the chapels at present. Chances are the field will be a big one. Oklahoma City will send her quota-twobesides a live bunch of boosters, to the San Francisco convention. At this writing no formal announcements have been made.

A new three-year scale was signed on Saturday, January 7, between the newspaper publishers of Oklahoma City and the typographical union. The new scale is effective from January 5, the date when the old agreement expired. Not all of the men will receive increases in wages, but the new scale introduces the sliding scale into the contract. A new agreement for the men in the job offices also went into effect on the same date. By the new rate, hand men on afternoon papers will receive $21 a week for the first year, $22 for the second and $24 for the third. Machine men will receive $24 a week. Under the old scale hand men received but $20. Hand men on morning papers under the new scale will receive $24 a week for the first year, $25 for the second and $27 for the third. Machine men will receive $27 a week. The new scale for job men calls for $21 a week, and is effective only for one year.

J. D. Rogers, of the Oklahoman chapel, surprised his many friends and fellow workers on Christmas day by slipping away to a small town and getting married. The young lady he made happy is Miss Catherine Renfro, from Kentucky.

Charles Daugherty, state labor commissioner and member of this union, has moved his office here, along with other state officers.

Shawnee Union No. 490 gave a banquet to its members and visiting members from Oklahoma City on Tuesday night, January 10. The occasion was a most enjoyable one to all present, and Oklahoma City was given a grand boost for the 1912 convention. HOWARD M. CASLER.

TORONTO, CANADA.

The so-called "national" organization should receive more consideration than has so far been given it. Under a high-sounding title, "Canadian Federation of Labor," appealing to the patriotic sentiment of those who do not delve beneath surface indications, this organization is gaining in headway every year, and some day we may find that it is here to stay. Among the allied printing trades, we have seen groups break away from the printers in Ottawa, the pressmen and binders in Toronto, and among other trades who have

"jumped" lately we find the bakers of Toronto. The fact that the cause of the strengthening of the national idea is the evading of payment of just debt to internationalism should not mislead us into minimizing the danger this national movement portends to trade unionism in Canada. The refuge of the tax dodger should be swept out of existence, and the sooner the work is begun the better. Trade unionism, in its dealings with the employers of labor, should present one solid, unbroken front, and in that way only will it be enabled to maintain its present prosperity.

Few thought several years ago that the disap pointed outfit who sought office in the Dominion Trades Congress in Berlin would have formed the nucleus for the present national movement. After their withdrawal from the congress those disgruntled ambitious ones met and elected officers, styling themselves the National Congress. For years they met annually, passed resolutions for submission to the Canadian parliament, and re-elected each other president and secretary, respectively. Their devotion to the movement which they created, in the face of apathetic interest at the recruiting end and adverse criticism from the internationals, appears in present light to have been founded on something more substantial than sympathetic encouragement from those interested in the disruption of unionism. When, during the eight-hour campaign of the International Typographical Union, some Ottawa printers became dissatisfied with the amount and manner of collection of their assessment and seceded, they were enabled to fall into the national fold and keep up appearances. Khowing their own salvation depended on the strengthening of the new organization, the leaders of the Ottawa seceders bent all their energies toward enlarging the operations of the National Congress. Two of those printers, men of well-known executive and organizing ability, than whom pershaps there were none better quali fied for the work in Canada, one of whom was a representative Frenchman, secured the positions of president and secretary, respectively, of the National Congress, and the name was changed to the Canadian Federation of Labor. Organizers were sent out in all directions. (Where did the funds come from?) In Ottawa a local national trades council was organized. Organizations in the east were induced to join, but west of Ottawa little headway was made until the shorter workday campaign of the pressmen arrived, when Toronto was invaded by the Canadian Federation of La