above would be the means of placing the International Typographical Union in the front rank of the trades union movement in this country, and would give us a means whereby every printer in the United States and Canada could be brought into the fold and given protection, which can not now be given, and at the same time advertise the union label in the "country" towns by having it appear upon "country" printing.

I would like to have the opinions of some of the older correspondents of THE JOURNAL as to this plan of organization.

What say you, Brothers Dirks, Cooke, Bloomer et al.? HOWARD O. SMITH.

Helena, Mont.

NEW ORLEANS, LA.

George G. Norris was appointed a special commissioner to attend the state board of education meeting at Baton Rouge March 20-21, to look after the interests of the union printers and the allied crafts, and try and get a declaration from the board favoring home printed text books for the public schools and endorsing the allied printing trades label. He succeeded in having the following resolutions passed:

Resolved, That for the purpose of encouraging home talent and home industry, this board is of the opinion that hereafter, in selecting text books for use in the public schools of this state, preference should be given to such as have been either printed, or both composed and printed, in this state, provided that they be equal to competing books in intrinsic merit, mechanical construction and price.

Resolved, further, That however favorable this board regards the following: "Resolved, That this board of education regards the label of the allied printing trades council as a guarantee of good workmanship, and recommends that it be borne by text books prepared in future for use in the public schools of this state,' it feels that it is without authority to comply officially with the request contained in this resolution, but recommends it to the consideration of publishing houses whose books have been adopted by this board.

"

This is a good start to the ultimate success of No. 17 in its efforts to have the label recognized by the state board of education, and four years hence, our object being better understood, this union will undoubtedly gain its point. Mr. Norris worked hard and faithfully and lost plenty of sleep, being on the run night and day, and he is much pleased with the courteous treatment accorded him by Governor Blanchard, State Superintendent of Education Aswell and the state board of education. It was Mr. Norris who got through the legislature, by unanimous vote in both houses, Act No. 49, of 1898, known as the label law.

For some time past New Orleans has had a woman operator, a Miss Fincher, who also is a thoroughly good all-around printer, and who is touring the country. It has caused considerable discussion in the Sunday women's departments of the several papers, and Mrs. Lewis Graham, president of the L. Graham Printing Company, Ltd., in a letter in the Times-Democrat recently, made the assertion that it is as easy and less fatiguing to work a linotype than it is to play a pianola, and suggested that many girls might be earning $25

a week instead of being a nuisance to the neighborhood. The linotype looks easy to the uninitiated, but we would not beguile the dear girls into the belief that working the linotype is a continuous round of pleasure or that it is easy to acquire. On the contrary, it is a nerve-wrecking ordeal, and only the hardy and healthy men are able to stand a continuous strain without the effort telling. Miss Fincher will vouch for this statement and so will all the other female operators. Mrs. Graham has put her idea into practical operation, and now has a woman apprentice, aged about twenty-five years, in her printing office.

The following is an excerpt from an editorial recently printed in the Picayune, and should be thoroughly digested by the northern laboringmen, as Italians are immigrating to the south in hordes and are slowly driving the negroes to other climes, which is one point the editorial overlooked:

Would that the majority of the northern people could see the situation in the light of actual experience. They would put an end to the agitation that is encouraging the once peaceable negroes to perpetrate all sorts of violent aggressions and outrages in the attempt to seize and compel the social, civil and political equality which they claim the law gives them, and which they have been told their numerical majority as it exists in many parts of the south should enable them to secure by force. The people of the north who are inciting the negroes to such violence do not understand the trouble they are creating for themselves and their children. Fortunately the whites of the south are able to maintain their race supremacy. They will meet force with force still more overwhelming and resistless, and the negroes seeking all they claim will be driven northward on the lines of least resistance. They are already going in groups large or small, and often singly, but when the anticipated conflict shall occur, the negroes will migrate northward in vast hordes until not a northern state will be without a large negro population. Then the white men and women of the working classes will be driven into competition with a race whose plane of civilization is so inferior, whose standard of morals is so degraded, and whose home life is so shiftless that no enlightened white people can compete with them. In the great industries wages will rise or fall with the quality of the workers. The negroes can and will underwork the whites, and low wages under such conditions will be the rule. When the white workmen of the north enlisted in a great and terrible war to free the southern negroes and to convert them into fellow citizens and social and political equals, they had no idea what a terrible calamity they were bringing upon their own section, their fellow workmen and on themselves and their children. But they must pay the price. Already the negroes are an important political and industrial factor in many a northern community. In fifty years they will be in every northern state, claiming and struggling for the equality which the north has promised and guaranteed to them when it was supposed they would conquer and control the southern states and remain there. The southern people are paying for the wrong of slavery. The north has got to pay for converting at a single blow four million barbarians into citizens and social equals. The price to be paid will be immense.

There will be no street car strike in New Or leans this year. The agreement of the union with the company expires July 1. T. M. Cooney, president of the carmen's union, says there is not even a remote possibility of a hitch in the drawing up of the new agreement.

The central trades and labor council will appoint two general organizers, whose duties it will be to

form the workmen not organized into unions. It also went on record as being in opposition to the proposed high liquor license law on the proposition that the body objects to monopolies, which it thinks would be created by the law becoming operative, and is against educating the youth of the city on such revenue.

T. H. Thomason, Ltd., had its plant nearly destroyed by fire March 26. The linotype and a small amount of job material was saved.

To-run-too. T. M. Weatherby, of the Item, is another candidate for delegate to Toronto. He makes the fourth in the field. This is the most quiet campaign ever held in New Orleans.

H. S. Hudspeth, president of No. 17, has been appointed organizer for the southern district, and is already doing good work.

Mrs. Mary Fundenberg, mother of Ed A. and George C. Fundenberg, of the Times-Democrat, died Friday, March 10, 1905, and was buried at Plaquemine, La., Saturday. E. G. CLARK.

PORTLAND, ORE.

In the April number appears notice of the organization of an ex-delegates' association by members of a local union. I am not one who does not appreciate the honor it is to be chosen as a fit representative of a local in an International Typographical Union. convention, but I do seriously question the advisability of forming these associations from members of a subordinate union. In my opinion, no good can come of such organizations, and they will have a tendency to create jealousy. The fact is that in almost every union there are men who have never been thus honored who are as brainy as those who have, and should the fortunate ones happen to be foolish enough to imagine they are a little superior, right there is where the trouble commences. Anyway, it is an organization within an organization, and I am opposed to it. At each meeting of our International Typographical Union will be found many who support the "ex," and it is not infrequent that they think they ought to have (and sometimes do have) as much to say about the legis lation as do the men who compose the convention. None of us have forgotten the heroic effort it took to purge ourselves of the "Wahnetas," and while I am laying no base motives at any member's door, yet it looks to me as though an exdelegates' association, in time, will certainly be lcoked upon much in the same light.

It

When my last letter was written we were in the midst of scale negotiations for job men. resulted in a draw, and we are working as before -eight hours at $19.20. I wish to say, however, that there are very few of our job members who do not receive more than the scale.

At our next meeting we will nominate candidates for office for the coming year. The greatest interest centers in the office of delegate. No. 58 is entitled to send two, but has decided to send only one. Those who have announced their candidacy so far are: Harry Austin and William H. Thomas, of the Oregonian chapel, and Arthur Purdy, of Glass & Prudhomme chapel. For presi

dent, the only candidate so far is Will Daly, of the Oregonian. Lon De Yarmond will seek reelection as financial secretary. There will be others, but that is all the cards I have received to date. E. F. CATON.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

B. L. White, machinist on the Tribune, has, by a little improvement-he doesn't call it an invention-saved the operators on that paper many occasions for sulphurous language. The little rod fitted beneath the assembler and optimistically designed to keep the spacebands straight, Mr. White has replaced by a flat band or platform, with guide rod, wide enough to support the spacebands and really keep them straight. Not only that, but the spacebands are prevented from falling through the assembler when the gate is opened to make cor

rections.

Sidney Hecker, an old Salt Laker, after a disillusioning trip to the effete east, has returned to the land of enchantment, and has assumed the foremanship of the Herald.

The political game is on. S. M. Stenhouse, for many years secretary of No. 115, has announced his candidacy for delegate. He will be opposed for the honor by B. L. White, machinist on the Tribune, and H. B. Freeman, a Herald operator and chairman of the executive committee. For secretary, George G. Welles, C. Hecker, Abner Thompson, Augustinus Goodmansen, William Ringert and W. T. Scheid will contend. C. H. Fenstermaker is spoken of for presi dent.

Joseph M. Vaughan, after a lingering illness of several months from consumption, died on March 23. Mr. Vaughan came here from Denver about a year ago. A brother was located at Leadville, but he was unable to come to Salt Lake for the funeral, so No. 115 took charge of the arrangements.

The city directory is being set by the Tribune and Telegram. In consequence work is good and profanity profuse.

If Mr. Kreiter, of Washington, believes that ridicule is a substitute for argument, I presume he will continue to be satisfied with his talent in that direction. He should remember, however, that fast operators are just as numerous in time offices as in piece offices. The coincidence does not extend to slow operators, who are entirely absent from many time offices. Mr. Kreiter's idca in regard to limiting the production of the machines is one which I can heartily second. It would remove practically all objections to either the time or the piece system.

To Herbert W. Cooke, of Boston: You are wrong in your premises regarding the priority law. A recent decision by President Lynch, on an appeal from a member of Salt Lake union, ruled that the oldest sub was entitled to the first regular situation to be given out. The foreman is permitted to judge whether a man be competent to sub; any man deemed competent to sub is enti tled to a situation when his turn comes.

Cards deposited-March 8, Charles W. Riau

hard; March 17, J. N. Randall; March 21, Sidney Hecker; March 22, Charles Hartsough; April 10, Charles McCarthy; April 4, W. I. Hendley.

Cards withdrawn-March 7, R. M. Nesbitt; March 7, L. J. O'Brien; March 14, E. J. Potter; March 20, C. J. Quinn; March 22, J. H. Randall; March 29, Harry Gravitt; April 3, Fred Trotter; April 7, Ben Durham; April 10, Charles McCarthy. JOHN J. NEWTON.

EMPLOYERS LOSE IF THEY WIN.

What can employers gain if they defeat the efforts to reduce the hours? The fund they are accumulating will not cover more than a fraction of their losses, and the only way to make up is to compel employes to work for lower wages. Are wages now so high that brains and skill are unable to find better recompense elsewhere? Reducing wages will more than ever cause the best workmen to seek other places and occupations for advancement. Further, this method of recouping will fail for the reason that it will cause lower figures to be given on estimates. Some remarkable estimating is done in Chicago; this week a job was reported to have had three bids made on it-$500, $800 and $1,200-and another job was figured on at $1,600 and $800. The lowest bidder finds fault with his workmen because he loses money on the job, and the others think wages are too high, and that is why their bid wasn't low enough.

The number of incompetents is sure to be increased by a contest, because employers will claim as usual they are getting along all right, no matter if they have a force which does not average as good as a first year's apprentice-and some of these will have to be retained.

Possibly prices might be increased, but the excuse for doing this will not be as sound as it would be if wages were advanced or hours reduced.

Another factor is the probability of the battle starting afresh after a little while.

The employing printers of Chicago lost a great deal of money in 1887 by fighting the nine-hour day, but from all appearances it will be much more expensive to oppose the eight-hour day, and the results prove much less to their liking, even if they should win. Their "open" shop would mean labor without a minimum basis, because the employers' associations have no penalties for members who get labor too cheaply, and many of them would force wages down as low as they could. The great cry would be that it had to be done to prevent work going to this, that or the other place. It is strange that employers complain of the competition of unorganized towns and at the same time seek the destruction of the very organization which diminishes the evil that troubles them. In fact, the position of employers toward competitors who are unfair to labor is so ridiculous that it throws doubt on the sincerity of their complaints about them. Whenever an effort is made to force an unfair concern to the same minimum basis of wages, employers of union men help their opponents, and declare it

cern

is their special purpose to do so, if any such constates that it intends to run an "open" shop that it will pay the scale to such union men as it chooses to employ. Of course, if it is possible to do without them, it doesn't intend to employ any, because the scale is too highevery cent paid out by it in wages being actually doled out grudgingly.

The more thoughtful employers acknowledge the hours must be reduced, though they may declare it can not be done at this time. Let them beware lest they are justly accused of striving to hold back progress and of acting against the best interests of mankind. Surely, it were better to welcome anything that tends to reduce the number of enforced idlers and to lessen the excuse for criminality. All that should be insisted upon is intelligent method. To fight year after year against the efforts of the toilers to improve their conditions is to engage in a losing battle whichever way the tide may turn.

Three years ago Chicago Typographical Union asked for the eight-hour day, and the answer was that it could not be granted locally. Now it is an international affair, and we are told it would be ruin to have it at present, but that it must come later, though no definite time is sug gested. How long would it be before the eighthour day was a reality if we waited until employers were willing to have it? Do we not hear "the same old story" from employers whenever increased wages or reduced hours are asked?

Though some employers talk as if it were not the toiler's business to say what wages and conditions he will accept, he has more right to fix the selling price of his labor than the one who buys. Necessity usually compels him to take less than its value, and to make necessity less urgent he combines with others. To many employers this is wrong because it prevents them from levying as heavy a tax on the toiler as they wish to do. The more successful unfair employers are, the greater their moral loss. Real happiness never comes from grinding down the toilers. Besides, the years are short, indeed, when they are past, and to feel at the close of life that you have tried to deal fairly with all is much better than to know you have become the possessor of millions. Morally and financially, the employers must lose if they win the fight against the eight-hour day. ALEXANDER SPENCER. Chicago, Ill.

QUIT YOUR ABUSE.

Several years ago, in one of the warm meetings of No. 16, a brother who is now raising melons in Georgia arose and said: "Let me say a word and I know it'll settle this thing."

That's me at this time. Let the brothers at Philadelphia either shut up or plead guilty by their actions to an aim to rule or ruin. Personally, the writer opposed both Bramwood and Lynch in the last election, but the returns showed that the weight of the majority was on the other side, and at this time the writer hereof is supporting Bramwood and Lynch in their efforts to better the con

dition of the typographical union membership, and is disposed to question the motives of those who are attacking them through the craft and labor press. If the vote at the last election doesn't indicate confidence in the efficiency of the president and secretary, voting is no way to indicate it, and we must get the opinion of a select few before we can determine whether they are representative typographical union men or not.

Have a little more sense than usual and let the executive council get after the opponents of the eight-hour day, instead of distracting their attention by a factional fight which is disgusting to a great many of us who did not work or vote for Lynch or Bramwood. If you are for the union shut up at this time, and stay shut until the battle is lost or won. EDGAR SHAW.

Fort Worth, Texas.

PITTSBURG, PA.

It was with sincere regret that a host of friends and brothers said good-by to a loved and affable fellow man. Fred Horne is compelled to journey with his wife and child to a better climate. Fred has been in ill health for over a year, and his physicians advised him to go to San Antonio, Texas, in the hope that he may regain his health. I believe it can be safely said that we all hope to have him again in our midst.

Mr. and Mrs. George H. Brown have the sympathy of a host of friends here. Death took their only child during the past month.

We may have a woman's auxiliary here in Pittsburg. Must be something serious when "Jim" Adams talks interestingly for half an hour on the subject, and Fred Klein, also an "old bach," says

aye, aye.

Twenty-three years have gone since the International Typographical Union met in Pittsburg, and, from all appearances, No. 7 feels very anxious to have the convention here in 1906. Mr. Merz spoke very interestingly about the matter at the April meeting, and he certainly expressed the sentiment of the whole membership, and it is likely our body will instruct her representatives to do all in their power when at Toronto to bring about the desired choice of Pittsburg for 1906. This matter will come up at the May meeting.

We expect to do much on the child labor question in the near future. The legislature and governor have very strong men in the law-making body hot after them on the question, and this old state will surely stamp out the evil now existing. The place for children under sixteen years of age is in school.

Headquarters of No. 7 are now room 52, Shannon building, 328 Fourth avenue, where our genial secretary will be pleased to receive your weekly contributions.

Work is a little slack here just now, but can be relied upon to improve soon.

A clever way to advertise among organizations is now being used here. Generally, two representatives appear, and a note is sent in to the president asking that a hearing be given the party in the ante-room. They are granted ten or fifteen minutes and usually usurp one-half to three-fourths of

an hour explaining their ways, methods, etc., at a time when our own particular work needs attention. A suggestion is offered here that in future no such freedom or speech be granted. Let them come around and talk after we get through. No need of a repetition of the April transgression on good grace. Two people talked forty-five minutes, when it was stipulated that we admit one to talk ten minutes. A brother called attention to the fact, and President Bradley was very glad of it, and so were all present.

Would be a splendid idea to use in Pittsburg, that of presenting each new member with that emblem many of us so proudly wear at all times. Every man of us should wear a union button, though an "open shop" proprietor or any other fool should object.

Either Chambers M. Leighley or George Bradley would look good for 1905-06 as presiding officer. Both are popular, fearless, conservative, as well as considerate brothers, and no better union men could be found. As for the other most prominent position in No. 7, Charles Q. Lafferty is doing good work, and plenty of it, and no union man could ask for better services than he gives. He is always at his post, often toiling long after machine and case men are resting from their day's labor.

T. C. Griffin, foreman of the Dispatch, and Ed F. Kennedy, of the Gazette, are the candidates so far announced from the newspaper branch for delegates to the next convention. Edward Carpenter, of the Art Printing Company, and Fred Klein, of the Observer jobrooms, are the candidates from the job branch who would like to go to Toronto as delegates. H. C. CAMPBELL.

PALESTINE, TEXAS.

We signed a new contract with the proprietors in our little town on the 10th of March, to run until the 1st of January, 1906, with a few changes from the one just expired, namely: A workday to consist of eight and one-half hours, instead of nine, as formerly. And three out of four offices signed willingly, and one balked, saying it could not afford the extra expense attached to the new contract, which in all would amount to less than $3 per week, or about 11 cents per day for each journeyman employed. We also raised the piece scale from 28 cents per thousand to 30 cents per thousand. The name of the firm which failed or

refused to sign up was the Daily Visitor and Weekly Advocate (both the same shop). They now have two men employed, and a few small boys stuck around the office, standing on cracker boxes setting type, and instead of working eight and onehalf hours, as we (the union) boys are doing, are working Sundays and nights and, in fact, most all the time, and are getting their paper out any time from six to nine o'clock at night, it being an afternoon daily (?).

Well, Palestine Union is composed of a nice lot of young men, and I wish especially to mention the fact that our executive committee, which is composed of Eppner Cohen, chairman; John T. Donaldson and Frank Trotter, did some noble work the past month. W. E. LANGSTON.

The other day I received from a well-known pressman of Ottawa the following jewel. Intelligent International pressmen will relish this bit of wisdom, I am sure: "I would like to know what benefits have accrued to our union through the co-operation of other organizations which we would not have had if we had not acted conjointly." That is the view of more than one, unfortunately. Some men will never dare to gaze beyond their nasal organ and do not seem to realize the benefits which have been conferred through this co-operation of loyal union men. I know this to be attributable to ignorance, but there are men holding similar views who can not be said to be ignorant. The above statement is made by a man who owes every dollar to union endeavor, union concentration, union loyalty, and brainy unionism. Before co-operative unionism existed here conditions, if compared, were almost intolerable and highly unsatisfactory. The change occurred when all the unions determined to work as one. They became a real force, and the blank shots were put an end to. That is the main reason for every concession in the printing bureau and other establishments. The man who does not realize it, can not conceive it, is indeed a short-sighted one.

In dealing with printing bureau affairs sometimes we are apt to ignore the real intentions of the management. If matters related are based upon information collected at times, these must be expected to be somewhat faulty. Politics has naturally considerable to do with the inner workings. Few can form any estimate of this interference. We know it obtains, and that is about all. Under the circumstances, is it fair and just to heap all the blame upon the heads? They are the national target, as a matter of course, but union

men must be reasonable and equitable in their appreciation of any management. This is my

aim and object each and every time. It may be sometimes one is more or less inaccurate, but in so far as I am concerned, at least, I desire to say, if such be the case, it is due to the source of information rather than to any motive of mine to be incorrect. Talking of the proofreading room particularly, I said recently the facts pointed to a preference for college men instead of printers. I must say right here this is not exactly so in so far as the printing bureau is concerned. In going over the names of the proofreaders I find a fair sprinkling of typos in this room, and also learn that competent printers have been given good positions in other branches of the service. That I was glad to learn, because I know printers as a rule make the best proofreaders. So on that score the objection is not serious. That a departure in one case or another has been recorded is not suf ficient reason for a failure to recognize the praiseworthy position of the management, who stand upholding the very same principle have upheld in this particular sphere of the business. management of a big concern is invariably assailed upon various pleas. Oftentimes such criticism is flimsy, because it emanates without a correct appreciation of the facts. Union men must be fair in their view of their superiors' doings. It does not follow these should be exempt from criticism, but it means we should not find fault unless fully assured we have the best possible ground for such statements as we make from time to time.

The

The allied trades and labor association is foreing several labor issues before public attention. This alone merits it general public approval. It is likely to get that, but will it receive the support it deserves at the hands of labor? If it did, it would only receive that which it is entitled to, but, unfortunately, much of the work of labor is minimized through the indifference of the union body, which in many instances fails to appreciate anything but the increased pocket receipts. This abor parliament is an important institution and should be supported. No reason exists for any indifference, as the various unions can do just as they please in the way of delegates. They have the choice, and should send the best available material. If they do, the best interests of labor will be safeguarded.

The pressmen's union of Ottawa has withdrawn its delegates from the allied trades and labor association. This union has obtained almost all it has asked, because it kept closely upon the heels of the typos and secured material aid from other unions. Now, when it has secured the eight hours and the highest wages, it withdraws, manifests its indifference toward the labor family and disregards the rule upon all honest unionists, which is to co-operate in common for the improving of the conditions of all fellow co-laborers. I draw the attention of the International pressmen to this inexcusable indifference

I urge upon the bindery girls the necessity of organizing. This can be accomplished without any great trouble, and much benefit will accrue to all as a result of a close combination. Within the