duced on the machines under a piece scale; that they were above the average operator employed in cities where a time scale existed in point of speed; and that because of the speed of these men the publisher was enabled to get out a large paper with a small number of machines, and thereby was the beneficiary in the way of saving the price of additional equipment, etc. The union contended that it should make no difference to the publisher what the individual operator earned per hour, but that it was the price per thousand ems that should be considered, and the union did not think that the price in Houston was too high.

The union, presenting its argument as to why the time hands should receive an increase in the scale per hour and also have extra compensation for overtime, contended that the time hands should be increased in pay so as to make the scale something near what the operators received, as they were of equal, if not greater skill, in many instances. The union showed that the cost of liv ing had greatly increased in Houston, and was likely to still further increase, since the last scale was agreed to by the publishers and the union; and that rents particularly were higher than in cities of similar size to Houston. Many other arguments were advanced by both sides in support of their contentions, and the case was then left in the hands of the local board of arbitration. After holding several sessions and considering the matter thoroughly the local board was unable to reach an agreement, although I desire to say that the arbitrators for the union made every effort to secure a settlement locally, and offered every concession possible to do so. The case then went to the National Board of Arbitration for final settlement.

This board met at the headquarters of the International Typographical Union in Indianapolis on June 2, and I was requested by the Houston Union to assist Mr. McBeth in the presentation of its case before that body. When the case came up Messrs. Palmer and Foster, the publishers of the Post and Chronicle in Houston, appeared in their own behalf, and Mr. McBeth and myself appeared for the union. After listening to the arguments from both sides, the national board took the matter under consideration for several days, and finally handed down the following decision:

That all time hands employed on the Houston Post and Houston Chronicle receive 55 cents an hour for day work and 572 cents an hour for night work, eight hours to constitute a day's work, and all time worked in excess of eight hours each day be paid for at the rate of price and one-half per hour. That the machine piece scale be reduced from 122 cents a thousand for nonpareil to 11% cents, and from 131⁄2 cents a thousand for minion to 121⁄2 cents. All other conditions existing under the old agreement to remain the same.

The contract is for three years, it having been mutually agreed between the union and the publishers that this should be the length of the contract.

While the reduction in the piece scale in Houston of cent a thousand will reduce the pay of the operators a trifle, yet the income in the way of

the time hands will mean that these members in Houston will in almost every instance receive an actual increase of about $3 per week. The securing of price and one-half for all overtime is quite important to the local, as always before the overtime has been single price in this city. The actual amount of money that will be paid to our members in Houston by the publishers under the new scale will be quite an increase over the amount paid to them under the old scale, as there are considerably more time hands employed on the papers than machine men, and the scale for the time hands will be somewhat more equalized with the machine men than in the past.

I have received many communications during the year from the officers and members of various unions in this section of the country asking for information and advice on matters pertaining to the welfare of their locals. In each instance I have gladly assisted them all I possibly could, and a great deal of work has been attended to in this

manner.

I have also investigated as far as possible the chances for forming new locals in some of the smaller cities in this section, and I have found that the prospects for meeting with success in this work are very bright. I expect to take up this work shortly, and feel confident that I will be able to organize several new locals.

In conclusion, I desire to express appreciation to President Lynch and other members of the execu tive council for their advice in the work undertaken; also to the officers and members of the various locals I have visited for their able assistFraternally yours,

ance.

On August 6 I received instructions from President Lynch to go to Detroit, Mich., and attempt to reach a settlement with a large linotype plant which had been unfair since early in the eighthour strike, information having reached headquarters that possibly an outside man could do something with this firm. Upon reaching Detroit I met with the executive committee of No. 18, and the Detroit situation was gone over fully, from the time of the eight-hour trouble down to the present time. It was decided that I was to open negotiations with the McCune linotype plant and also five job offices that were unfair to No. 18.

The McCune linotype office is a five-machine plant, owned by a stock company composed of operators. All but one were formerly members of No. 18. I interviewed the members of this company personally and at my request a meeting was arranged with all the stockholders. For a time things looked bright for an early settlement with this firm, but, after many meetings, negotiations were for the present time declared off. I am of

the opinion that the typotheta's use of the "big stick" had a great deal to do with our failure in getting together.

I visited five of the non-union job offices and the Michigan Farmer office. Had several conferences with the proprietors, but nothing came of them, for the same reason, I believe, as in the McCune case-typothetæ "big stick." I returned to Toledo the middle of October.

On November 13 received a telegram from President Lynch instructing me to go to Norwalk, Ohio, investigate trouble in the Laning plant and report. Reached Norwalk the same evening. Held a meeting with officers of No. 516. Was informed that upon leaving the Laning plant on the evening of November 12 the employes were confronted with a notice which read:

"On and after Friday, November 13, 1908, working hours will be as follows in all departments: 7:00 to 11:30 A. M., 12:30 to 5:00 P. M." This meant a nine-hour day, at the eight-hour scale, and was the first intimation given of same. The employes of this plant had enjoyed the eighthour day since January 1, 1907-nearly two years. There were forty-six people who left the planteighteen of whom were from the composing room. The balance were bookbinders, electrotypers, pressmen and the bindery girls. There were left in the mechanical departments, four electrotypers, three lithographers, one stock cutter and the foreman of the composing room. Held several conferences with the management of the plant, but was unable to make much headway the first few days. The plant continued to run in a crippled condition until November 19, when three bookbinders and one pressman arrived from Cleveland, and were put to work in the afternoon. The next morning they failed to "show up" at the office and very little work was turned out. On November 20, two pressmen and two printers arrived from Akron, Ohio, and were put to work. On November 21 the management capitulated, the "rats" walked the plank, and the entire union force returned to work on Monday, November 23, without prejudice. The trouble lasted just ten days.

In conclusion I desire to express my thanks to International and local officers for favors and courtesies extended and trust that the St. Joseph convention will be most beneficial to our organization. With best wishes, I remain,

Pendleton No. 214, allowed their charters to be revoked during the eight-hour assessment. The existence of the defunct unions had always been precarious, and, like a rotten harness, at the first strain they went to pieces.

I received instructions from President Lynch to make an effort to revive these unions, and I visited Oregon City, Albany, Eugene, Corvallis, Vancouver, Wash., Astoria, Ashland and Med. ford. I investigated conditions in these towns, but did not believe they were such as would warrant the issuance of charters except in the case of Medford-Ashland, where I found a number of members and ideal prospects. The towns of Medford and Ashland are growing rapidly, and this union. will undoubtedly be both strong and permanent. On the whole, I believe this trip was successful, probably not in immediate results, but I met the printers in each town and pointed out to them the advantages of membership and gave out a number of applications, and I am still pursuing the plan of securing all competent country printers as members for the International Typographical Union. At the present rate of growth of the towns of this state and the development of the printing business, I predict that the coming year will see several more husky unions in this section.

During this time I have expended considerable effort in trying to secure recognition from the publishers for Portland Mailers' Union No. 13. In this I have met with stubborn resistance, the em ployers having adopted a plan of concerted action in refusing recognition. I have held repeated con. ferences with the publishers on this subject, but without success to date.

During the year Capital No. 210 (Salem) has secured an increase in scale.

To sum up the situation in this section: We have secured one more union and now have members of the International Typographical Union working in almost every town in the state. This, coupled with the general healthy condition of the printing business, warrants the belief that we will have a much more interesting report in another Respectfully submitted,

year.

ORGANIZER DEVEREUX.

To the Officers and Members of the International Typographical Union:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-During the fiscal year now nearing its close serious disputes have arisen in only two locals-one in Grand Forks, early in February, and the others in Aberdeen, S. D., April 14, and most of my work has been confined to correspondence with local unions in this vicinity and conferences with non-union proprietors in the Twin Cities.

The Twin Cities and their immediate neighbors have failed to furnish anything of a sensational order during the past year, except the signing of two offices in St. Paul, the L. F. Dow company, July 11, and the unionizing of the St. Paul Typesetting Company, August 1. Negotiations were carried on between Mr. Dow and myself for sev

eral weeks, and it can be said of this settlement that the whitewash brush was not applied to any of the furniture, and every non-unionist employed there has flown to parts unknown. The L. F. Dow plant has increased in business capacity and is one of our best job shops today.

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul Unions signed new agreements this year with the newspaper publishers, embodying an eight-hour day provision, No. 42 securing a slight increase over its sister union in wages.

St. Paul and Minneapolis Unions have not neglected their non-union shops at any time, and both No. 30 and No. 42 have increased their membership and kept their powder dry, and are on the road to greater prosperity.

The typothetæ derelict granted its employes a forty-nine-hour week, commencing January 2, 1909, which was accepted by the recipients under the impression it emanated from the enlarged heart of the "teapot's" remains. This was an opportune time for the move, as otherwise the worm would have turned and demanded more pay. As success breeds success, we expect the hitherto willing weapons of the enemy will soon see the cornerstone of their welfare and abandon their present mudsills for the privilege of paying dues.

Efforts were made to organize the printers of Mankato, Albert Lea, Red Wing, the Iron Range and elsewhere, but without marked results. The employers in the smaller towns, while not openly opposed to unions, are evidently averse to have their employes organized. This is proved by the process of priority practised in handing out walking papers to pro-union promoters.

Aberdeen, S. D., as a result of my visit, now has a working agreement with the local union in that city which is satisfactory to its members.

At Grand Forks, N. D., the typographical union is recognized as the leading labor organization of the city. Its success in signing a scale giving a material increase in all branches of the business reflects much credit upon the activity of the of ficers and members of that union. If all the local unions had equaled the success of this sturdy westerner in securing necessary reforms, the International Typographical Union membership would be several million dollars to the good.

The effect of the eight-hour struggle upon the country printer has been to give him an increase of about an average of $3 per week, and a reduction of from one-half to one hour per day in his working time. As his gratitude to his employer for this favor wanes and he gradually learns to recognize the real fountain of his fortune, we harbor increasing hope of enrolling him in the army of International Typographical Truth and Technical Teaching.

The Twin Cities, as well as other centers, are fully aware of the necessity of greater attention being given to the education and organization of this source of supply to the printing industry.

Most all the unions in this region have maintained their integrity, enjoyed their shorter workday, and in many instances increased their scales to meet the ever increasing price of meat and

other necessary provisions to perpetuate the species Americana.

During the past year several applications have been received from printers in the unorganized towns for provisional membership, and Interna. tional Typographical Union cards have been is sued from headquarters on my approval.

The contracts for the state printing during the last year were awarded in a large degree to the union shops in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. This is good evidence that job printing can be done more economically in the eight-hour shops than in non-union shops.

It is evident that the International Typographical Union has a large harvest to handle, and the field is now ripe for a more thorough and systematic education and organization of the country printer. To accomplish great results in this direction will require much work and perseverance, but I believe the gain will more than cover the outlay. In closing another year as organizer, I desire to thank the various unions with which I have co-operated, and especially the executive council of the International Typographical Union, for prompt, proper and energetic action on all matters at issue. J. C. DEVEREUX, JR.

St. Paul, Minn.

ORGANIZER DOLAN.

To the Officers and Members of the International Typographical Union:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-My operations were so limited the past fiscal year that I thought it almost unnecessary to make an official report. The work consisted of the following visits:

June 17-Went to Tarentum to investigate an office alleged to be improperly conducted. The offense was trivial, and I secured a promise to conduct the office according to law. This has since been strictly lived up to.

June 24-Made a trip to McKeesport in an endeavor to strengthen the union there. Interviewed all who were back in dues and made arrangements for them to pay same.

October 24-At Altoona it was reported several who had ratted were willing to rejoin the union. The majority wished to come in as new members by paying initiation fee. Secured the names of same and submitted them to union, which voted not to accept the propositions. Fraternally, Pittsburg, Pa. T. H. DOLAN.

ORGANIZER EICHHORN.

To the Officers and Members of the International Typographical Union:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-The following is my report for the year ending May 31, 1909:

On June 21-24, 1908, I visited Reading, Pa., in connection with the biennial convention of the Knights of St. John, in the interests of the union label. Some years ago, when the above organization met in Erie, Pa., a resolution was adopted which provided that all printed matter issued by the Knights of St. John must bear the union label,

At various times, in connection with label work in behalf of No. 77, I had occasion to correspond with Supreme Secretary C. W. Wallace, Columbus, Ohio, concerning complaints made to me that some of the printing of that order did not bear the label, and to each one of my letters a courteous reply was made and in each instance it was shown that the information given to me was incorrect. In the course of events I was furnished with a copy of the supreme constitution of the order, and it was without the label, having the imprint of a Rochester, N. Y., concern, which I ascertained was unable to furnish the label, having refused to employ union printers and denying the eight-hour day. Subsequent communications with officers of Rochester Typographical Union and President James M. Lynch, of the International Typographical Union, resulted in a decision that I should take up the matter of the label on the Knights of St. John printing with the biennial convention, the opinion being that favorable action would have an important bearing on the situation in Rochester, with special reference to the aforesaid nonunion concern. Prior to the convention I communicated with officers of our local organizations in cities where the Knights of St. John were located in sufficient numbers to have important influence through their delegates, and through this co-operation I was successful in securing support from important delegations. A resolution providing for the label on Knights of St. John printing was introduced and favorably reported out of committee to the convention. When the resolution came up for action on the floor, Supreme Secretary Wallace cited the action of the Erie convention and stated that he did not believe it necessary to pass a union-label resolution to place the organization on record, it having previously expressed itself in a favorable manner and he had conscientiously tried to fulfill that requirement and intended to do so in the future; in his opinion the resolution was unnecessary and would place the organization in the light of not having lived up to its previous pledge, which he believed had been done, with but rare exceptions, the result of misunderstandings. The convention accepted this view of the matter and the resolution was withdrawn with the above understanding. I am convinced that the supreme officers of the Knights of St. John will see to it that the label will appear on all their printing. However, should there be further reason to complain, letters addressed to C. W. Wallace, supreme secretary, 49 North High street, Columbus, Ohio, will have courteous and prompt attention, and I am sure the matter complained of will be remedied.

On December 28, 1908, I visited Warren, Pa., where No. 428 had been unable to secure a new wage agreement with the proprietors in that place. On this visit I was unable to secure interviews with all the employers, and on January 9, 1909, again went to Warren to take up the negotiations. No. 428's agreement with the Warren Times did not expire until February 1, 1909, and I ascertained that the local officers had not officially placed the scale before the manager. The manager

of the Warren Mirror absolutely refused to talk or confer with me regarding the scale. Because of the fact that the agreement with one of the papers had not expired, and upon investigation into the situation, I thought it advisable to bring influence to bear through outside sources, I allowed the matter to rest for the time being, No. 428 and President Lynch concurring in the matter. On February 23 I returned to Warren and found that the owner of the Warren Mirror had died and the estate left in the hands of three trustees. I took the matter up with one of the trustees, who explained that the other two trustees were absent from the city, one being in Oklahoma and the other in Florida, and urged that the matter be left until they could take the question up after legally qualifying as trustees of the estate. No. 428

agreed to a further delay, and on May 10 I was informed that W. I. Bartholomew, one of the trustees, was placed in charge of the paper. On May 11 another visit was made to Warren and I was assured by Mr. Bartholomew that he would take up the scale question within a very short time, the fact that he had just a few days previ ously taken charge making it impossible to act intelligently at that time. While the delay has been vexatious, still I believe the local conditions warranted it, and I trust that the Warren situation will be cleared up in a satisfactory manner very shortly.

On February 24, on my way from Warren, I stopped at Corry, Pa., correspondence that I had had leading me to believe that a union could be formed to include Union City and Corry. How ever, when it came down to a matter of business, the Corry printers did not display the necessary spirit, and I allowed the matter to drop until a more favorable time.

I was informed by President Lynch that No. 205, Jamestown, N. Y, desired an organizer to at tend its meeting on March 6. On arriving there I ascertained that there was a disagreement among the membership as to the proper proceedings in adopting a scale of prices. I explained the matter to the union, and I understand that there was no further difficulty in preparing the scale to be presented to the employers. The present scale will not expire until July 1, 1909.

On March 23-24, I went to Mercer and Grove City, Pa., an opportunity presenting itself to form a union, whose jurisdiction would include these two towns. The printers in these two places agreed to attend a meeting to be called through. me, and, after considerable correspondence and delay, it was finally agreed upon to have a meeting at Mercer on April 24. The meeting was held at that place, but the Grove City contingent failed to arrive. I learned later (as is the case in many places. I am sorry to say) that there is some feeling between the two cities, and the popula tions refuse to "mix." A meeting of the Mercer printers was held, but a charter was not applied for, the meeting adjourning to meet April 30. Mercer, until recently, one of the few places where printers had to work ten hours per day. On the afternoon of the day

was

of the above-mentioned meeting, so I have been informed, the employers suddenly announced that the men henceforth would only work nine hours per day and I believe it was the direct result of attempt at organization, and undoubtedly offered as a bait to the men to cease to attain better conditions through a union of their craft. All my powers of persuasion were useless to complete a permanent union on the above date, and I reluctantly had to consent to allow the adjournment until April 30. All preparations had been made by me to go to Mercer on that date, when I received a telegram from the secretary of the temporary organization that it knew just how to proceed to complete the permanent organization, etc., and that I did not need to come. Later, I received word that the meeting was not attended by a sufficient number to fill out the charter blank. Information from that place, however, assures me that the spirit of unionism is not entirely dead and that a typographical union in Mercer is not altogether improbable in the near future.

On May 11, 12, 13, I visited Kane, Johnsonburg and Ridgway, Pa. The plan being worked out is to form a tri-city union, although the printers in Ridgway feel partial to a union of their own. Ridgway, however, does not contain enough printers to hold a charter, although at one time more than enough printers were employed at that place. The matter is being taken care of, and we expect to have a good local in that section of Pennsylvania.

May 25, 26, 27 I made a visit to the Monongahela valley, in which are located Charleroi, Monongahela City, Donora, Monessen, Belle Vernon and Roscoe, Pa., all within a short radius of each other and within easy inter-communication. I found a splendid feeling for an organization there. About thirty printers are located in this valley and a meeting will be held at Charleroi, Pa., June 8, at which time I expect to complete a permanent organization.

In addition to the facts set forth as above in connection with my duties as organizer, I have written a large number of letters and mailed considerable literature, with a view to forming local unions of our craft. Some splendid prospects are being cultivated, and I have reason to feel that with continued efforts good results will surely be obtained. I don't know whether the printers in Pennsylvania are slower to grasp the opportunities as presented through the International Typographical Union than are the printers in other states, but the fact remains that the Keystone state ought to have more typographical unions than are now in existence. Possibly, the general lethargy exhibited by the workingmen in this state to their own welfare has cast its shroud around our own unorganized fellow craftsmen, but this should add zest to our efforts and make us more zealous to crown our work with success.

Much more might be said in this report that I believe would be of interest, but it would occupy more space than can possibly be afforded. Local unions in Pennsylvania can be of material assistance to organizers by supplying information re

garding unorganized printers in their vicinity, etc., and if this co-operation will be forthcoming the results will be surprising.

I realize that the duties of an organizer would indeed be arduous but for the valuable assistance and co-operation rendered by officers of local or ganizations, and the advice and counsel of the International president and secretary, always at one's service, are very helpful.

In closing this report, I desire to thank all those who have assisted me in performing my duties, and trust that it shall always be my good fortune to be able to have my efforts command the support of the officers and members of the International Typographical Union.

Respectfully submitting the above, I remain,
Yours fraternally,

ORGANIZER GIBBONS.

To the Officers and Members of the International Typographical Union:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN-Soon after my appointment as organizer I was instructed by President Lynch to take up work in Pennsylvania. This work necessitated my visiting the following cities and towns: Stroudsburg, Allentown, Wilkes-Barre, Olyphant, Carbondale, Pottsville, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Sunbury and several unorganized towns in the state. The report of my work follows:

In Stroudsburg I was unable to organize a union, due to a local trouble that exists between the two papers, and I found it impossible on the occasion of my visit there to overcome it. However, there is hope that the men there will soon see their way clear to again have a charter in that town.

From Stroudsburg I went to Allentown.

When

I arrived there I found the small organization that exists there was in arrears to the International, and liable to have its charter revoked. After going over the situation with Secretary Rehrig and the members, I succeeded in collecting in the outstanding indebtedness and having Secretary Rehrig mail check to Secretary Hays before I left.

My next stop was in Wilkes-Barre, where I spent some time in straightening out the affairs of that organization. After getting the executive committee together I found that a large amount of money was outstanding, and the treasury of the organization was about depleted. I called on all the delinquent members of the union, and when the regular meeting was held Secretary Long received almost $500 of the outstanding delinquen cy, of which he mailed to Secretary-Treasurer Hays the International's share of the amount taken in. I also made an agreement with the members who still owe small amounts that they pay $2 per week on arrearages, together with local dues and assessments, until their indebtedness is liquidated. I also succeeded in unionizing the Gosnik, a Polish weekly paper, and it now carries the label. The Raeder Printing Company is still