He can give reasons that should convince even a Sinn Feiner, if any Sinn Feiner is capable of being reasoned with. He argues the case thus:

"Suppose Germany should win this war, and there should be a peace conference at which her voice was the prevailing voice, what part could Ireland have in it as a supplicant for home rule or independence?

"Could Ireland plead for liberation while Germany held Belgium and Serbia, Roumania and Poland, Alsace and Lorraine? Could she expect freedom as a boon from the empire that had forced the yoke of bondage on other nations?

"But suppose-the more likely thingthat the allies win the war, with Ireland holding back, rebellious and inclined to sympathize with Germany, what possible claim could she have for consideration at the peace conference? Who would be her friend? How could she face the charge that while France and Italy and Russia and America and England fought for the freedom of Belgium and the other oppressed little nations, she gave aid and comfort to their enemies? Would the allies hear patiently a plea that came from a nation too selfish to share in the sacrifice that they had made to save the world?

"The position of the Sinn Feiner, if he could see his own position, is that of a man who says: 'I care nothing for the wrongs of Belgium, nothing for the oppression of Serbia, nothing for the brutal massacreing of Armenians; I care only for Ireland.'

"But that is an impossible position to occupy in this age. Liberty is a treasure to be held in common, and for which all who value it must be willing to pay the price. The men who are fighting and dying for liberty; the nations that are giving themselves in a bond of world-wide comradeship to serve not their own interests alone, but the interests of humanity, will have small respect for a people who, having tried vainly to win their own independence as a boon from autocracy, in the closing hours turn to the champions of democracy and ask consideration."

These are not Mr. O'Connor's words, but they convey more or less accurately his viewpoint. The friends of Ireland will do well to consider it. It is an Irishman's viewpoint, and it goes directly, as we think, to the heart of the whole matter.

In discussing the recent deportation of Arizona workers in the American Federationist, President Gompers gives this logical answer to the question:

Anti-Union Employers
Blamed for I. Ŵ. Ŵ.

"Why the I. W. W.?"

"The responsibility for the existence of the I. W. W. movement lies with those employers who have reiected and ruthlessly opposed collective bargaining and who have denied their employes the right to further their interests in a normal, constructive manner.

"It is impossible to kill in human beings the desire and the ambition to aspire to something better. Indeed, it would be deplorable if that desire could be killed. When employers seek to prevent a natural outlet for this desire they provoke violence and disruption. The I. W. W. movement is a creation of economic despots and financial anarchists who oppose constructive organization of economic relations. After the copper kings of the southwest have created and fostered the I. W. W. movement they now seek to use it as a cloak to disguise its attack upon the trade union movement. "Approximately 12,000 miners are strike in Arizona. The copper operators are making enormous profits on war contracts. To entrench their power they began a campaign of victimizing active union men, thus disrupting the labor movement. Economic action was necessary to maintain their rights. The men presented demands which included the right to organize and to obtain higher wages.

on

"The copper companies arbitrarily refused even to consider the demands of the men and at once prepared for the contest. The strikers were not permitted to exercise their normal, lawful rights-to do peaceful strike duty as pickets-and were arrested on all manner of pretext."

In a statement issued by the Russian information bureau, this interesting sidelight on Russian conCo-operators Check aitions is given: Anarchy in Russia. "Among the forces

which have saved Russia from the dangers of anarchy at this critical moment, first place belongs to the co-operative organizations, the representatives of which took a definite stand at the very start of the democratic conference, for a coalition cabinet, for a strong government, for cessation of talk and for coming down to intensive work in organizing_all the constructive forces of the country. The co-operative movement which has played the role of a decisive factor in the latest crisis will be felt as the most powerful

constructive force in all the further developments of the Russian revolution. This is the only social movement which reaches almost every Russian village and represents the real spirit of the country. Not long ago the Russian co-operative movement celebrated its 50 years anniversary, and it was calculated that at that moment there were over 35,000 co-operative organizations in Russia with a membership of almost 12,000,000.

"Co-operation is most prevalent among the peasants and every member of a Cooperative organization represents a whole family.

"We cannot but accept the estimate offered by the present secretary of supplies, Mr. Prokopovitch, who is a recognized authority on the Russian co-operative movement, that the total actual membership of the Russian co-operative organizations approaches 60,000,000. Modern armies which are numerically much smaller than the above figure, are often, and quite justly, spoken of as an armed people.' shall we say then about the army of the Russian co-operative movement, which numbers in its ranks almost one-third of the great country's total population!"

What

"Individual contracts," the latest scheme of anti-union employers to resist collective bargaining with their Senators Denounce workers is denounced, Individual Contract. and its fallacy exposed, by a special committee appointed by the United States Senate to investigate the strike of street car men last, spring against the Washington Railway and Electric Company.

The committee, consisting of Senators Hughes, Pittman, King, Jones of Washington and Johnson of California, agree that the company is responsible for the strike. In separate reports the senators take sharp issue with the company's methods and its defense of individual contracts.

Senator Pittman said:

"The impossibility of the individual negotiating a contract of employment with a powerful corporation is too absurd for intelligent men to discuss before an intelligent body. The very object of the individual contract, in fact, the chief object, is to avoid discussion and consideration. Influence, power and accomplishment in every activity of life has been accomplished through collective action. In my humble opinion, collective bargaining on the part of the employes is a principle that must be recognized. This obligation upon the part of public utilities corporations is imperative. They have no moral right to use their power and privileges in a manner oppressive to the citizens or obstructive to the peace and happiness of the public."

Senators Jones and Johnson said:

"By individual agreements employes are left wholly without protection. There is nothing of fairness in the closely knit, powerful corporations, on the one hand,

dealing with a single individual employed by it on the other. The employer is so potent, so well organized, has such concentrated force, and such extraordinary power of reserve, that the individual, among many thousands of employes, must, perforce, if dealing alone with the employer, deal substantially upon the employer's

terms.

"Collective bargaining is inherent in modern industry. It equalizes the two parties. The isolated worker has neither the opportunity nor the capacity for successful bargaining, but all the workers together approaching by organization, in small degree, the concentration of power that exists in the industry, may thus, by collective bargaining, obtain approximate justice. If, in individual bargaining, the employer is obdurate, the single worker can not hold out and must of necessity yield. In collective bargaining all the workers acting together make the struggle more equal. That collective bargaining has brought tremendous benefits to the employe does not longer admit of doubt."

To all specious chatter about "peace without annexations or indemnities," there is a sufficient and official The Ready answer. Such a peace Answer would mean, outwardly, a return to the status quo ante, and President Wilson put that out of court forever when he said:

"It was out of the status quo ante that this iniquitous war issued forth."

Other answers there are in abundance. The status quo ante is really gone forever, because Germany, though failing to conquer her major enemies, has conquered and is now ruling her allies. Justice to Belgium, justice to France, justice to Poland, Bohemia and Serbia all make such a scheme inadmissible. But if all these were forgotten the fact would still remain that a world fighting to end wars of aggression can not even pretend to return to a regime which bred the greatest of all such wars.

The head of the "League of Humanity" has just been convicted of violating the espionage act in two imOne by One. portant particulars. This particular aid of the kaiser is a deserter from the British army and a near-author of high reputation-with himself. The sentence has not been imposed, but is expected to be exemplary.

One by one the creatures who counted on the mildness, the carelessness or the blindness of Uncle Sam are waking to stern disillusionment. A score or more of German spies are in federal prisons. The "Jones family" rioters of Oklahoma are mourning the loss of their leaders, sequestered at hard labor for a term of years. A group of Teutonic editors are awaiting trial. An aroused community is demanding that La Follette be expelled from the Senate. And still the good work goes on.

REFERENDUM NOTICE.

The following propositions have been submitted as amendments to our Constitution by Local Union No. 150 of Augusta, Ga. In accordance with Section 21 of the Constitution, we are placing these propositions in the Journal for three consecutive issues. The Local Unions of the United Association, if they desire, will have the privilege of indorsing or rejecting the propositions up until and including Decemiber 31st, 1917. Any communications from Local Unions either rejecting or indorsing these propositions will not be considered after this date.

Augusta, Ga., Sept. 18, 1917.

Mr. Thos. E. Burke, General Sec'y-Treas.,

Chicago, Ill.

PROPOSITION NO. 1.

Amendment to U. A. Constitution. Local Union No. 150, Augusta, Ga., proposes the following amendments to the U. A. Constitution:

Amends section 21 of the Constitution by striking the words "20 per cent of the total membership" of the eighth and ninth lines and inserting in lieu thereof the words, "10 per cent of the total membership".

Further proposes to amend section 23 by striking the words "65 per cent of the Locals voting, of the third line and inserting the words "a majority of the Locals voting".

Adopted unanimously this the 27th day of August, 1917.

A. T. LEWIS, President, (Seal)
W. P. COPELAND, Secretary.
Local Union No. 150, Augusta, Ga.

PROPOSITION NO. 2.

Resolved that we adopt the initiative and referendum, and that all officers of the U. A. be elected by same and elections be held bi-annually beginning January 1, 1918, or as soon as possible after the adoption of this resolution. That the business of the

U. A. be transacted by the General Executive Board and that they submit their action to the General Membership for ratification.

Resolved further that no conventions be held hereafter unless called for by referendum vote as per Sections No. 21 and 23 as amended.

Proposed by Local Union N. 150 of Augusta, Ga., this the 27th day of August, 1917. Adopted unanimously.

A. T. LEWIS, President, (Seal).
W. P. COPELAND, Secretary.
Local Union No. 150, Augusta, Ga.

REPORT OF THE DELEGATE TO THE TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS OF CANADA.

To the Officers and Members of the United Association:

The Thirty-third Annual Convention of the Trades and Labor Congress was held in the city of Ottawa, September 17, 1917, and with 286 delegates present, representing 25 international unions, 2 provincial federations, 21 trades and labor councils and 210 local unions.

The convention was called to order by President Cameron of the Ottawa Trades Council who gave the delegates a very hearty welcome. The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Borden, welcomed the delegates and spoke of the serious crisis existing and what part the movement should play in carrying it on. But it is to be regretted that he was not more candid or open in his expression so as to convey to the workers the real seriousness of the problems that we are confronted with, which has caused the Parliament of the country to pass the legislation they have during the last few years and which is finding general disapproval at the hands of the workers. Hon. Thos. Crothers, Minister of Labor, was also present and addressed a few words of welcome to the delegates, as did Emanuel Koveleski of Rochester, representing the American Federation of Labo., and James Winstone, representing the British Trades Union Con

troller. The reports of the various officers showed the wonderful progress that was being made, especially in view of the terrible conditions that were prevailing throughout the Dominion.

The report of Secretary Draper showed the finances to be in a fairly healthy condition, and with an ever increasing membership the feeling of the general labor movement advancing towards that goal when the Congress would wield that power for good that it was organized for. President Watters reported on the many matters that had been brought forward in Parliament that was of interest to the workers and showed that we had received scant consideration in the request that we had put forward on behalf of the working class of the Dominion.

The address of Bro. Jas. Winstone, Fraternal Delegate from the British Trades Union Congress, was a masterpiece and showed the workers what the members of the movement had accomplished in Britain during the trying period of the war and what had to be further accomplished before the right of the workers would be recognized, the terrible suffering that was prevailing due to the profiteering and exploitation of the workers in industry, was causing serious signs of genuine unrest which was going to cause grave consequences in the future. He appealed to the movement in Canada to more devotion to the cause and fight that we might have a more united movement, both industrially and politically, because the future was a serious problem, and if the workers were ever going to shake themselves free from the shackles that bound them they must avail themselves of the present opportunities. He also urged that we select men to represent the workers of Canada at the next meeting of the International Secretarit, which would be held in Stockholm and which would discuss peace from a workers' standpoint so that in the Peace Congress the terms of the workers would be known.

Bro. E. Koveleski, Fraternal Delegate from the A. F. of L., carried forth a message of good will and fraternity and showed the wonderful development of the Federation. He spoke of the action of the Federation in endorsing the policies of President Wilson, and they felt proud of that position, as one of the leading democratic nations of this earth, that they were out to try and make democracy safe. Democracy cannot be established by patches on an autocratic system, and a national structure could only be perfected harmony with humanitarian ideals, a structure that would stand the test of the necessities of peace or war, and we should fight to that end. He pointed out that the Government of the United States had been more considerate of the position of the workers than any other country, and he felt proud of that fact that they had seen fit to recognize the power of the labor movement.

in

Miss Laura Hughes and Mrs. Rose Hen

derson also addressed the convention and received a rousing reception which showed the delegates in accord with the messages they carried from the women of the country.

Miss Henery of Chicago, Fraternal Delegate of the Women's Trade Union League, gave an inspiring message on the work of that institution and urged the delegates to see the introduction of Leagues into their own localities so that the conditions of the women workers might be improved.

There were numerous resolutions introduced, all of which aimed to improve the conditions of the workers, but the main discussions resolved itself round the report of the Executive Council and our position on conscription. The Congress having gone on record against conscription on many occasions and the promise of the Premier not to introduce it until the State was in danger, and also the assurance given that we would be taken into consideration when that time come, and the subsequent action of the Prime Minister in introducing the measure and having same carried without consulting us gave rise for considerable debate. The Congress Executive sought to minimize the effects of all of this, and the Committee on Officers' report sought to have the report amended to ask that their be no extension of the principles of conscription to industry, and many amendments were introduced to show opposition to conscription. I introduced a substitute motion to work for the repeal of the Act, upon which a vote was taken, and it was defeated by 136 to 106, and the amendment of the Officers Committee carried. The matter of the formation of a Labor party was introduced and carried, it being the general opinion that it was time the workers organized their own political party and the Executive was instructed to call Provincial conventions and arrange for the carrying into effect of this matter, and then to finally organize a nation-wide party that would give expression to the will of the wage workers of the Dominion.

They also decided to take part in the Stockholm Congress and three delegates were elected, President Watters, SecretaryTreasurer Draper and Vice-President SimpI was a contestant but failed of election, running fourth.

son.

The condition. existing, due to the high cost of living, caused a good deal of debate and the Executive were instructed to see what could be done to overcome the prevailing conditions.

The resolution introduced by myself, seeking the formation of an association with the returned soldiers so that all the interest of the workers could be best conserved, was carried without a dissenting voice.

The position of the returned invalided soldier was taken care of. An effort will be made to have a more liberal form of pension adopted that will remove the dis