CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Well, well, well! So we are to have a battle royal for the honor of entertaining the 1912 session of the International Typographical Union. And such a nice little four-handed game it will be, with Ottawa in the frozen north, Houston and Oklahoma City in the torrid south, and Cleveland, "in the center of everywhere," as the contenders. In the March issue of THE JOURNAL We note invitations from three others besides Cleveland, and our friend from Houston tells of having

York. Its convention hall has a seating capacity of 1,400, with chairs spaced four inches wider each way than the most commodious theaters. Its main floor is easily convertible into a banquet or ballroom, and the mural decorations are unsurpassed in this country. It is lighted with thousands of incandescent bulbs, strung in rows on the ceiling and over the proscenium arch, hanging in clusters over the half a dozen entrance ways, and festooned from the balcony in graceful lines, making a lighting scheme that illumines every

a fine public building in which to hold the convention; all about how to reach Houston ("by way of New York")-that all trains carry Pullmans, etc., ad lib.

Now, we, in Cleveland, have choice of about a dozen suitable convention meeting halls, public and private, and by way of illustration we give herewith a view of one of our most recent additions in the way of architectural beauties. The new Engineers building, fourteen floors, of steel, concrete, white marble and terra cotta, is the finest auditorium and office building west of New

recess of the interior, and yet so arranged as to avoid any glare and to afford restfulness rather than tax upon the vision. Acoustics are second to none-anywhere-in the opinion of the foremost critics of concert and oratorio entertainments that have been produced there. One of the finest pipe organs in the world (not Carnegie-gifted) is a part of its equipment. It is ventilated by the most modern and approved sanitary system, a complete change of air being possible every two and a half minutes. And the entire structure, from the first shovel of earth turned for the ex

cavation to the last finishing touch of the decorators, is the product of union labor.

Now, understand, this is only a sample. Besides the Engineers building, we have Central Armory, Gray's Armory, Eagles Hall, Elks Hall, Pythian Temple, the Hippodrome and a number of other places suitable for convention purposes, with capacities ranging from one to ten thousand persons, and any of them within easy access of the business district.

But this convention hall proposition is really not so important as is our claim to the distinc tion of being the logical choice for 1912 convention honors. If the delegates to the 1911 session at San Francisco will consider our accessibility, our climatic advantages and our geographical location, we make no doubt Cleveland will be the choice for 1912. In the past decade four conventions have been held in the south-Birmingham, 1901; St. Louis, 1904; Hot Springs, 1907, and St. Joseph, 1909-and as many of them west of the Mississippi river, while about seven-tenths of our International membership is located east of the "Father of Waters." Add to this the fact that this year's session goes to the Pacific coast, and that in 1908 the gathering was convened on the Atlantic seaboard, and we submit that the Forest City has a valid and undeniable claim for favorable consideration.

Cleveland is but a trolley ride from some of the largest unions in the International jurisdiction, as compared with a Pullman camping party to any of our rivals. Half a day's journey or so from New York, Boston, Providence, Newark, Jersey City, Washington, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Toronto, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Louisville, Indianapolis and four hundred or more intermediate points, and only a few hours from Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Buffalo, Detroit, Toledo, Columbus, Dayton, half a dozen Springfields, and any number of other live towns, we certainly hold the "edge" on any of our contenders for location.

We are easy of approach also: New York Central and Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, east and west lines; Erie, Pennsylvania, Nickel Plate and Big Four from the east, south and west. No more palatial steamers afloat than the Cleveland and Buffalo lines from Buffalo and the Detroit and Cleveland lines from Detroit, converging at Cleveland, and connecting here with every vehicle of transportation to the four corners of the earth. No trouble at all to reach us, neighbors. And all we ask is that you come. We'll do the rest.

"Cleveland-in the Center of Everywhere

1912."

From the Los Angeles correspondence of George Stein, organizer, we learn that Earl Rogers, special prosecutor, in the employ of the Merchants and Manufacturers, has resigned-"some say in disgust, others because of financial disagreements with Zeehandelaar" (Otis' man Friday). And now we believe we know why our own "Jay Pay" Dawley, erstwhile legal adviser of the Cleveland unionsmashing organizations, and in bygone years employed to defend some of our most notorious crim

inals (and altogether without distinction, as they embraced "high financiers," petty thieves, felons of the first degree, and what not), has migrated from our midst and taken up his residence in Los Angeles. While we refuse to even hazard a guess at the analogy between a defender of criminals and a prosecutor for the self-styled "law and order" union busters, we are now "hep" to Mr. Dawley's pitching. Not a doubt in the world but he's gone to the coast to establish his priority for Mr. Rogers' job.

Work in the job offices here for the past two months has been very brisk, all the larger offices being engaged upon mammoth jobs of catalog printing, and the job contingent in some cases being compelled to work overtime day after day for several weeks to complete contracts on time.

Organization work here is progressing very favorably. A live committee has charge of this feature of our forward movement, and results are beginning to show. During the past month twelve new members were annexed to our rolls, and new prospects are numerous. President Lynch paid us a visit recently on his swing around the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio league circuit, and met at headquarters with the organization committee. Mr. Lynch heard reports from the committee, and outlined the several new plans and gave much good advice for furthering the organization campaign in which No. 53 is engaged.

At this writing the Britton Printing Company is engaged in enlarging its quarters, having taken over that portion of the first floor of the Caxton building immediately below its old quarters on the second floor, and doubling its former mechanical capacity. The first floor is to be occupied in its entirety by the composing room, and the vacant space gained by moving this department downstairs will be given over to new equipment for the bindery and pressroom. Half a dozen modern book presses will be installed and added impetus given to a business that has prospered wonderfully since the inauguration of the eight-hour day in January, 1906.

The Members Printing and Publishing Company has been incorporated at Columbus, and will soon be in operation on West Twenty-fifth street, near Detroit avenue. Its projectors are prominently identified with the Chamber of Industry, and will conduct a strictly union establishment.

FRANK H. SEFFING.

JAMESTOWN, N. Y.

The sad news of the death of Paul M. Dean, a charter member of No. 205, which occurred in New York, March 14, was received here, much to the sorrow of every member of this union. He spent nearly his entire life here, being foreman of the Journal jobroom for about twenty-five years, when a few years ago he relinquished his reins here and went east. Mr. Dean was a happy, congenial and trustworthy man, and every printer who came in contact with him always held him in high esteem and always remained his friend. He was 51 years of age, and leaves a wife, a brother, O. F. Dean,

who was also a charter member of No. 205 and who was with him in New York, and his aunt, Mrs. Maria Eddy, of this city. The remains were brought to this city for burial. No. 205 sent a remembrance in the form of a floral set in token of respect in which this local held him. Mr. Dean died of pneumonia and was only sick ten hours.

The Union Advocate Company has rejuvenated its labor paper, making needed improvements and adding facilities, which has already made the paper a credit to the publishers. It can now be compared with the best of them, and the locals are supporting it by taking it as a body. Louis E. Ruden, president of the central labor council, has been called to the associate editorship, and is making good, not only as a writer, but in looking after the makeup as well. Under Mr. Ruden's régime it is expected he will double the circulation within six months.

On March 15 about thirty-five persons, friends and neighbors of Elmer E. Sprague, editor of the Union Advocate, called at his home and paid him their compliments on his tenth wedding anniversary. Mr. Sprague was happily surprised and the evening was very enjoyably spent. A handsome library table was left as a token of their appreciation. E. GEORGE LINDSTROM.

NEW ENGLAND TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION. The New England Typographical Union's employment bureau is an assured success from the outset. Immediately upon the announcement of its inauguration applications for registration were forwarded to the secretary, and at the same time notices of vacancies were received and sent out. The system of handling applications is so simple that little work is entailed at the present time in conducting the bureau; what it may develop it is not possible to forecast. But the executive board is much gratified that operation was started without delay or friction.

On March 6 the employment bureau's first report was issued, as follows:

March 1, 1911, eighteen unions reported a total membership of 2,362, of whom 2,261 were regularly employed six days per week as holders of situations or substitutes or extra men working full time; sixty-five were occasionally employed, their employment aggregating less than six days per week; and thirty-six were out of work. Of the unions reporting, seventeen reported no overtime ever accumulating which was not being given out, and one union reported a little overtime, in amount almost negligible. There are applicants for employment enrolled in the employment bureau classified as follows: Linotype operators, admen, machinist-operators, job compositors, stonemen, makeups, machinists, book compositors, foremen. During the month the bureau sent out to applicants notices of opportunities for employment as follows: Linotype operators, admen, job and book compositors. The following cities reported opportunities for employment for members: Augusta, Danbury, Fall River, Hartford, South Framingham. The following cities filed no reports: Auburn-Lewiston, Bangor, Portland, Waterville, Brockton, Lowell, Lynn, Marlboro, New Bedford, Taunton, Waltham, Berlin, Concord, Manchester, Danbury, Meriden, New Haven, New London, Stamford, Newport, Providence, Woonsocket, Barre. Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, St. Albans. The following com

ment is pertinent: Boston, job trade dull; Augusta, possibilities for job men here; Danbury, some demand for good jobbers; Fall River, chance for good operators; Hartford, reports special opportunities for job printers; South Framingham, occasional opportunities for job printers.

This report is printed here as a whole in order that the membership at large may obtain an idea of what the report bulletin will be. The only disappointing feature of it is the large number of unions which do not report. There are no doubt several reasons for the failure, some of them good for the present. First of all, some secretaries must have waited for authorization from their union before sending out the statistics called for. Secondly, some unions may have hesitated to furnish statistics which might be published broadcast. The report shows that this fear is not well founded. The figures for no city will be spread upon the bulletin. Thirdly, secretaries were careless or simply forgot to send in reports. Several letters setting forth the last reason were received immediately after the bulletin was issued, with promises that in future reports would be submitted promptly. Under all the circumstances it is fair to presume that the number of unions reporting on April 1 will be larger than on March 1, and that ultimately the report will be general. On the other hand, the executive board found special encouragement in the fact that several unions sent first responses, after nearly eighteen months' correspondence, to the employment bureau letters; and several new affiliations are likely as an immediate result of its inauguration.

re

All the comment to date on the bureau is enthusiastic. Those who have said that the employ. ment bureau is the "best thing" ever undertaken for the benefit of New England printers are too numerous to mention in the limited space allowed a JOURNAL correspondent. President Martin ports that in Boston, when the employment bureau's announcement was read and explained, the comment was all favorable. Yet the executive board for a long time doubted that Boston, as the largest union in the jurisdiction, might hesitate to approve the bureau, because it might fear that the bureau would operate to transfer members from smaller toward the larger cities. The experience of the board to date indicates an opposite tendency. This feature of the operation of the bureau will receive special study. Numerous inquiries concerning the operation of the bureau have been received from cities outside New England, but as yet the answers which can be made to such inquiries are not comprehensive. Time will give the experience so necessary to measure ultimate suc

cess.

Springfield has an active committee at work on preparations for the convention, which will asOdd Fellows Hall semble in that city June 12. has been tentatively selected as the place for holding the sessions, and Gilmore's Hotel will be headquarters for delegates. The committee is preparing an artistic souvenir for the convention and for Springfield's twenty-fifth anniversary, which will be celebrated at the same time.

Negotiations of the newspaper scale in Provi

dence, reported incomplete in the March New England letter, have resulted in recognition of the new scale in all daily newspapers in the jurisdiction. Representative Maloney late in February and early in March made a special trip through the Vermont cities. General improvement in all is reported, with prospects for extending the eight-hour day in one jurisdiction. After this trip he returned to Bridgeport, where he is still continuing his successful organization work. Providence Union will invite him to assist in an organization campaign soon to be undertaken.

Fall River Union was unsuccessful in the attempt to secure a union label ordinance governing city printing, the city solicitor ruling against it. The executive board of the New England Typographical Union has, however, suggested a change in the phraseology of the ordinance, and a further effort may be made in the same direction.

Augusta Union continues its activity already commented upon in this column. The increase in membership continues, and efforts are being made to place the label. A new proposition for the Kennebec Journal, the agreement with which runs out October 1, is in preparation.

One of our Connecticut correspondents, whose letter has been mislaid, states that the publicity bulletins sent out by the New England Typographical Union usually reach him just too late for the meeting of his union, and has suggested that the time of issue be changed to accommodate him. The suggestion is a good one, but it will be applied in a larger way. Unions throughout the jurisdiction have been asked to report their meeting dates; and when the reports are in a date for issuing literature will be selected which will accommodate the greatest number. CHARLES Carroll. Providence, R. I.

SEATTLE, WASH.

The past winter has been one of the worst ever experienced from the printer's standpoint in the northwest, and it has been particularly rotten in Seattle. From all local unions around this part of the country comes the same story of no work and lots of idle subs.

No. 202, at its last meeting, provided for a committee of eighteen to carry on ventilation demonstrations. The preliminary experiments that have been conducted by a smaller committee have shown the soundness of the theories of the originators of the plan-i. e., a vacuum system-intakes and pipes within the room to be ventilated connected with an exhaust fan. The committee in-. tends to secure a room, and, after installing the necessary piping, etc., to produce conditions as nearly like those in large composing rooms possible, in order to show what the apparatus will do in the way of taking out the vitiated air as well as the heavy gases that are produced by the machines. It is intended to give a number of demonstrations in order that all the membership will have an opportunity of seeing them and making criticisms and suggestions to the committee. After the work is concluded the union will be in

as

a position to give other local unions the benefit of the knowledge gained. As far as can be learned, this is the first time this matter has ever been taken up in a systematic way, and yet any one who will give the matter a little thought will admit it is probably the most important matter before the printers today. Many of our ills can be traced directly to bad air.

From present indications there will be a large field of starters in the delegate sweepstakes on the third Wednesday in May.

R. M. MCCULLOUGH.

The entertainment committee of Seattle Union has received much encouragement in its efforts to have the eastern delegates to the San Francisco convention come by way of Seattle, and there is no doubt of having a big special train to San Francisco in August.

The first of March Secretary Shannon, of the committee, mailed 650 invitations to officers and members of the International Union, and many replies and some queries have been received, indicating considerable interest in the efforts of No. 202 to entertain visitors of the typographical faith.

The northwestern delegates and those west of the Missouri river will find it to their advantage to purchase local tickets to Seattle and then take advantage of the $32.50 round-trip rate from this point on the printers' special from here, as it is not likely that rates will be granted from other northwestern points at that time of the year. The Seattle committee took up this matter with the railroads in January and secured the above rate through the action of the Western Passenger Association.

Vancouver Union has taken up the matter in an enthusiastic manner and will be represented here by a committee from that union. It is said that Vancouver may become a candidate for the next convention, and if this is a fact, the members of that place have the endorsement of Seattle, for it is a lively burg that never does anything by halves, and would undoubtedly entertain the International Typographical Union convention in 1912 in such a creditable manner as to leave no regret as to such a selection.

However, the Seattle committee is only working to get a big representation of union printers and delegates here in August, and already the local papers have given the subject complimentary publicity. The entertainment idea is wholly in the hands of No. 202, and the money for the reception of visitors is being raised by an assessment extending over a period of eight months, so as to prove burdensome to no one.

The program will be published later on and before the time of the convention, so that all delegates will know what is coming off here on their arrival.

It was suggested that the committee charter a steamer and make the trip by water to San Francisco, but when it was considered that so many would get seasick and would arrive in San Fran

cisco in a down and out condition the idea was abandoned.

There is no use trying to describe the weather conditions on the Puget Sound in the summer time. It equals all the adjectives Tracy, White and French have used about the San Francisco climate and then some, for we claim to have it on the California metropolis in summer weather. Fruit and salmon and trout will be ripe then, and besides filling the eyes of visitors with the naturally wonderful beauty of the Puget Sound, we'll fill their stomachs with such good things they'll want to stay here. We still claim a population of over 300,000 based on the new city directory, and that chief of the census who threw out umpteen thousand names on us this spring can't put his name on our slipboard any more.

The committee cordially invites all delegates, exdelegates, ladies of the auxiliaries and friends to visit Seattle. The chief of police is a good fellow, and says it will be all right. Just come along, make all the noise you want to, get acquainted with the bunch out here, and we'll try and make the world look brighter and more cheerful every time you think of this burg after your visit. O. E. SHANNON.

MUNCIE, IND.

"M. F. (Percy) Monroe is dead!" These words flashed across the wires on March 14, 1911, startled the whole printer world. It filled with deep sorrow the members of the International Typographical Union from the highest officials to the most humble, for who has not heard of Percy Monroe. He was perhaps the best known printer in the entire International jurisdiction, and his friends were legion, while he had not one real

enemy.

Percy Monroe died March 14, 1911, at about 10 o'clock, at 323 North Mulberry street, this city. For two weeks previous to his death he had been ill and often made the remark that he would not last much longer. He did not take to his bed until about three days before he died, fighting nobly against the disease which was slowly but surely sucking his life away. His end was peaceful. No one seeing him lying in state and not knowing it would have imagined him a corpse. He looked more like a sleeping man taking a well-earned rest after a hard day's toil.

As soon as news of the death of Percy was transmitted to the officers, a telegram was sent to his brother Edward, notifying him of the death. He came and assumed charge of the body and took it to Springfield, Ohio, for burial.

In the death of Percy Monroe, Muncie Union No. 332 loses a member the value of which can only be estimated. We can hardly realize that he is no more. How we miss his kindly and genial smile, his simple but sincere manner and kind words of praise and encouragement.

Percy Monroe deposited a Cincinnati traveling card with Muncie Union on May 23, 1910. He had often before visited Muncie and usually remained for a long time. Little did we think that

He was consistent in all that he did and was not afraid to stand up for what he thought was right. Percy Monroe was friendly, and to have him for a friend was considered an honor. The writer was fortunate to number Percy among his friends, and as for his stanchness as a friend the writer could cite a number of instances, if necessary.

I wish I could do justice and write a proper eulogy on Percy's death, but my mind will not respond to my feeling. I will let others who have known him better and longer write the proper eulogy.

The strike committee having charge of the trouble at the Hoosier Printing Company made an interesting report at th March meeting. A number of important jobs had been taken away from the unfair firm and the prospects are bright for an easy settlement of the trouble.

Arrivals: W. R. Alspach and Fred Mayer. Withdrawals: W. B. Doyle, Lew Shardelow, J. O. Long and Fred Mayer. JOSEPH HERDERING.

MEDICINE HAT, ALBERTA.

The Medioine Hat Daily News has just ordered another linotype and will increase the size of the daily 100 per cent within the coming month.

B. J. McKerracher, of New York, who, though otherwise engaged, keeps his union card paid up, and who is on his way east after a tour along the Pacific coast, was a visitor in the city recently. He was, some years ago, a member of Ottawa Union No. 102, having served on one of the dailies there.

Two members of No. 451 took leading parts in the production of a comedy drama by local talent in the opera house on February 21-B. W. Bellamy, financial secretary, who is manager of the company, and Ed McB. Forbes, recording secretary. The show was a big success. The company has engagements in Redcliff, Bassano and Swift Current, the latter place being 175 miles east of here. D. R. Ware, manager of the Times, and Mrs. B. W. Bellamy also are prominent in the

caste.

The members of No. 451. regret to learn of the serious illness of F. G. Foster, who, a few weeks ago, retired from his position as manager of the Daily News. An operation has been successfully performed at the local hospital and Fred's many newspaper friends throughout Canada and the United States will be pleased to know his condition is favorable. B. W. BELLAMY.

THE honors of genius are eternal.-Latin.