about six or eight months ago received a substantial increase in pay. and now as another agreeable surprise will be transferred to day work at the same pay and only six days per week. "Bill"

has been so much a part of the typographical force that we have always counted him as one of us. Every man in the office, from the managing editor down, feels perfectly "de-lighted" to think that his competency and patience are to be rewarded.

A letter from "Bill" Ashley, of Denver, informs me that "Slim" Hutter is now there, as is also Harry Parker, who recently left Omaha. Incidentally, it may not be known, but "Bill" Ashley is now a benedict and is holding down one of the Denver Times "mills."

A. D. ScoUGAL.

PROVIDENCE, R. I.

Providence Typographical Union held its regular meeting on December 18, to avoid meeting on Christmas day. At this meeting officers were elected for the ensuing year. The meeting considered amendments to the constitution offered by a committee on revision. The changes proposed were not of great importance, except that providing for a percentage system of collecting dues. It required two-thirds majority to adopt. The vote stood 47 to 24. One vote from the minority would have carried the proposition. The con sideration of the proposed amendments will be continued at the next meeting. The death of Clarence E. Burtwell was announced and a committee appointed to take appropriate action.

Clarence E. Burtwell died in this city December 10 of pneumonia. He had been sick one week, but the disease had been of annual recurrence for three previous winters. He was born in Fall River. July 27, 1850. At the age of thirteen years he started to learn printing in the News office, of that city. He came to Providence in the fall of 1868, and began working on the Evening Press. He was in the fire which destroyed the plant of that paper December 31, 1868, and was one of the thirty printers who climbed down the chain from the third story, where the composing room was located. He was initiated into Providence Typographical Union January 9, 1869, and held many important offices in that organization. For a number of years he was assistant foreman of the Press. When that paper suspended he worked for about one year on the Star, and in 1865 went to the Journal, where he was employed at the time of his death as night copy cutter. He was conservative and sincere in all his dealings, and was held in high esteem by all who came in contact with him. His funeral took place Wednesday, December 14, a large number of his fellow craftsmen attending. He leaves a widow, a daughter and a son. Printers are not usually prepared for such an ordeal as climbing down fifty feet of chain on a cold December morning, with a smothering fire in their rear. Consequently the escape from the burning composing room of the Press has remained one of the chief events in the local history of the craft. Most of the participants are dead. The writer recalls only one now alive, Joseph E. C. Farnham, of the firm of Snow & Farnham. Frederick W.

Stearns, now editor of the Union Signal, of Milwaukee, Wis., should have been setting type in the composing room of the Press that morning, but he missed an early train from Milford, Mass., did not arrive in Providence until 10:30, and thus avoided the thrilling experience. W. C.

A COMPULSORY SAVING SCHEME. As a consequence of the recent vote on the eighthour proposition, we will, twelve months hence, be face to face with a fight. In partial preparation for such a contingency, the defense fund will avail, but it will not be sufficient. The importance of gaining the eight-hour day is tremendous, and a successful outcome is imperative. We must build our defenses strong, have our forces well marshaled and loyal, our commanders shrewd and forceful-all the same Japanese. I have a plan to suggest that is both simple and practicable.

Commencing with the month of January, have every local union collect with the monthly dues an assessment of $1 or $2 a week from every member, this fund to be deposited in a bank to the credit of the union. When the time for inauguration of the eight-hour day arrives, have the treasurer of the union issue a check to each member for an amount corresponding with his contribution to the fund. For example, if the decision of the union when voting on the question was to contribute $1 a week, each member would receive a check for $52; if $2 a week, a check for $104, the money to be his own, and used as he sees fit.

The idea would be to issue these checks to the contributors whether there was a strike or not. In short, the union would act as a compulsory savings bank for a year.

The general effect the possession of this money would have on the outcome of the struggle is easy to estimate. It would amount to success-that's all.

Take, for example, a union with a membership of 200, and each one contributed say only $1 a week for the year. This would result in a fund of over $10,000 going into immediate use.

Let us look at the question individually. Take a family man, for example. There will be, first, a certain contribution from the general defense fund, and in addition to that he will have a cash capital of say $52. This will certainly keep him from worry or want for at least a month, and it is safe to say that the difficulty will be adjusted before the lapse of that length of time.

Success or failure of the move for a shorter workday will depend upon money and organization. Theoretically, every member of the International Typographical Union should be financially fortified for a period of idleness. But printers are proverbially careless and improvident, and if left to themselves will neglect to prepare. Let this weakness be overcome, and we can approach the contest with confidence and strength-confidence in the loyalty of our members and strength in the length of our purses and the reasonableness and justice of our cause.

This savings bank fund will tide over the needs of each individual, while the International fund

No. 66 held its annual meeting on Sunday, December 11, with a good attendance. Paul G. Clark was elected president for the ensuing year. It was voted to become affiliated with the Maine state branch of the American Federation of Labor.

The year just past has been a prosperous one, No. 66 having, with the assistance of the International Typographical Union, succeeded in getting an increase of $1 per week and an eight-and-onehalf-hour day on the newspapers.

The eight-hour day is the main topic, and although 'way down in the Pine Tree state, we hope to be in line in 1906. We have eight enthusiastic female members, all receiving the scale, and are expecting more to join in the near future.

Our annual banquet took place Saturday evening, December 17, and notwithstanding the fact that we have two Sunday papers here we had a large attendance. The feature of the occasion was the presentation to John H. Dooley, president of the allied printing trades council of New England, who has served as our president for the past three years, of a handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed. Although taken wholly by surprise, Mr. Dooley was equal to the occasion, and responded, saying that he hoped with the handsome timepiece to count the hours from 8 till 5 in 1906, while the boys responded as one to the tune of "Mr. Dooley."

Business is fairly good here for this time of the M. S. BURKE.

year.

PHOENIX, ARIZ.

Charley Lundstrum, who spent several months in the Home at Colorado Springs, is again doing duty on the Republican. He received some benefit by his stay there, and speaks a good word for the treatment accorded him.

Gambling is one of the features of Phoenix, and that in every form, day and night, but it was left to the operator of a machine here to get up one of the most unique of all gambling devices, by turning the intermediate pulley of his machine into a facsimile of a roulette wheel and placing a board by his chair with the green, red and black numbers, to correspond and represent the balance of the roulette board. When money is placed on the table he pulls out the clutch, and the number stopping at the top wins. He takes all money placed down, but "never pays a bet."

This is quite a resort for "lungers," printers included.

The matter of organizing a woman's auxiliary was brought up at last meeting, but it was dis

covered that there were not enough printers' wives to hold the offices of that branch, so it was dropped. It is said that in another year there will be more than enough to organize.

The territorial legislature meets here in January, when it is expected that work will pick up some in all lines, but there are more than enough men to perform the expected additional work.

The Gazette will soon change from a morning to an afternoon paper.

Some one with instincts distinctly criminal broke into the desk of the secretary-treasurer a short time ago and took something over $20. The robber has not yet been apprehended.

No. 352 will have little trouble in carrying through the eight-hour day.

No candidates have yet announced for delegate to the convention at Toronto next year.

ENNIS, TEXAS.

J. A. BALL.

Though we are a small band as to membership, we have enough to hold our charter, and a braver set of boys never lived.

No. 641 entered upon the second year of its existence in October, and in November the annual election of officers took place. Your humble scribe was chosen as its president, while K. R. Perry, formerly of Corsicana, was made vicepresident, and Thomas Gathright, the "old reliable," was rehitched in the harness of the secretary-treasurership. Other offices and committees were filled by appointment.

Ennis hasn't more than 10,000 inhabitants, but is one of the strongest union burgs extant. Nearly everything is organized, and it is hard for a scab in these parts. A trades assembly is sadly needed here. There is much work that can be done now. The clerks, machinists and No. 641 are at work, and I don't think the day is far distant when Ennis will need the services of an organizer. Work has been exceptionally good in Ennis the past year, mainly on account of our label (the only one in the county, and it being election year), and prospects are bright for more printing next year. Ennis merchants believe strongly in

the efficacy of printers' ink. The tourist is scarce in these parts, or he inadvertently passes us by, causing all forces at times to have to do overtime.

That was grand and substantial news from the American Federation. Now, it's up to every member to put his or her shoulder to the wheel, and when January 1, 1906, dawns let us roll in the sixth proposition like a glass ball. It can be done; it will be a reality.

I have been a reader of THE JOURNAL for the better part of the past fourteen years, and am compelled to admit that it is like "Old Kaintuck whiskey." grows better with age. The last number reflects much credit upon Editor Bramwood. It sparkles with wisdom and good works, and should bring a thought gratifying to every craftsman throughout the jurisdiction. May it still become brighter and better; there's no end to perfection-always room for improvement. The "Woman's Department" is very interesting reading, and it is gratifying to know that the wives

of the unionists are doing such a noble work. There is the spirit and enthusiasm here for an auxiliary, but not ladies enough to perfect an organization, although a Woman's Union Label League among the wives of the separate crafts is a probability very soon.

Wonder what has become of my old friend, James Cooper, of No. 87? Never see anything from his gifted pen any more. Perhaps Jim has steered some roadster down to the "Beautiful Buffalo Bayou," and is taking a "snooze" in the shade of the magnolia. Wake up, Jim. I've been there with you. GEORGE N. APPLEBY.

THE DEMAND FOR MEN.

Say, Mr. Trade Unionist, do you realize the growing demand that is going up-in clarion notes and trumpet tones-for real men?

Do you realize that with the closer welding together of that phenomenon known as society, that opportunities present themselves for its units-its individuals to stand out among its fellows to a larger extent than was true in past epochs?

Do you realize that our means of transportation and communication, free speech, free press and the ballot place greater responsibilities on the individual than ever before?

Do you realize that, try as you may to "lay on the table" questions confronting you, that your finer instincts of true manhood feebly attempt to arouse you to action?

Every period in history has its questions to solve; every age has produced its cranks and dreamers of yesterday, its martyrs and heroes of

tomorrow.

And in our time, Mr. Trade Unionist, don't be alarmed-don't take to the woods-because of the noise of your conservative member, who would ask to be locked up if he discovered an original idea.

Don't strive to win the fickle praise of our oneply intellectuals, industrial body snatchers, and modern Pecksniffs, whose standard of manhood is per-cent per-cent.

Watch the man who is always denouncing radicalism-"he who trims his sail to catch every passing wind." While the jousting, brawling radical, continually running amuck, is many times intolerable, he is far more endurable than the other extreme-he who, in the language of one of our International Typographical Union ex-presidents, "preaches the consoling philosophy of contentment."

A trade union-and a trade journal-should be kindergartens in developing men of moral strength, character and convictions. These endeavors will incidentally strengthen our efforts toward higher wages and shorter hours.

Trade unionists should realize that backcapping and session-holding (here guilty) is a sure sign of ignorance; that broad-minded men only discuss principles. But the vinegar-blooded, narrow-visioned fellow is always worried about the individual.

In the next decade, Mr. Trade Unionist, the labor organizations of this country will be in politics up to their eyes. You can howl your objections

till you're black in the face, but then you'll be set down as an economic fool or a political grafter.

You will also see the trade-autonomy cry shot to pieces. Even now your own craft has seized the machinists, and in turn that rapidly-growing and economically-radical body has annihilated the bicycle workers. The brewery workers flaunt defiance at the American Federation of Labor when that body declares the firemen shall not be kidnapped. The. carpenters and woodworkers-in fact, every calling in the industrial gamut—is lining up on this issue.

And then, because men have strong convictions on these questions, you fear your union will be destroyed. And you suggest to the editor of our JOURNAL that he freely use his blue pencil. And you tremble lest these radicals (?) will be denounced by our "prominent" citizens.

Your union is in dire straits when it needs the approbation of endowers of colleges, who think they can "rain-check" an entrance into the pearly gates by putting a market price on a golden harp and sound-money wings.

The salvation of the workers lies in themselves. Our hope lies in the man who thinks, and when occasion demands, who thinks aloud.

If you have done your best toward fostering and fomenting an enlightened discontent, you have not lived in vain, and when your end does come, mayhap some true friend will whisper the words of the immortal bard:

And the elements so mixed in him
That Nature might stand up

And say to all the world:

This was a man.

Toledo, Ohio.

JAMES P. EGAN.

AUSTIN, TEXAS.

C. L. Leache was elected president at the last meeting of the union, vice R. W. Parrent, resigned. Mr. Leache has also received official notification of his appointment as organizer.

Tom Whitley, a well-known jobman, has taken charge of the Forum, the labor paper, and is making it interesting.

Up to two and a half years ago there was only one job office, the morning newspaper, and two small afternoon papers in the union. Now there is not a non-union office in this city or a nonunion printer. Every practical printer is a member. There is J. A. ("Tobe") Millican, ranchman, real estate man, expert accountant, etc., who is an active member, and has been for a long time chairman of the finance committee, and who always finds time to examine the books and accounts of the union and see that the quarterly report gets off in good shape. Then there is Julius Schutze, jr., chief of the fire department, who attends meetings and always takes an active part in proceedings. Em S. Hughes, state expert printer and ranchman, who is a regular attendant at union meetings and a member of the trades council. P. L. Richardson, instructor in the deaf and dumb institute, a state institution, is also an active member. Col. H. H. Hutchings, of the First Texas Regiment, keeps up his card. He is superintendent of a large printing office here. I cite these men to

show that, even having grown beyond the jurisdiction of the union, they have not forgotten it in their prosperity.

Eddie Numbers, who learned the trade in this town, recently took unto himself a wife, and then took in the World's Fair.

The woman's auxiliary is flourishing, and doing good work pushing the label.

R. W. ("Dick") Parrent, after a two years' sojourn with us, during which time he got married, has gone to Fort Worth to reside.

I would like to see some discussion of the resolution introduced at the Washington convention, inviting the Associated Press operators to join the typographical union on the same terms under which we took in the machinists and proofreaders.

At a recent called meeting of No. 138 to consider the only item in our new scale objected tothe proofreaders' scale--there was one proofreader present. "Let the others do the work."

During the three months the scale committee was at work on the new scale, by-laws, constitution, etc., there were many members, most vitally interested, who were never present at any committee, regular or called meeting of the union. Good kickers, some of them, too.

Our dues are now $1.40 per month and 1 per cent on earnings; $1 rebate for attendance at meetings. No excuses go-$1.40 are dues, $1 rebate for attendance. C. L. LEACHE.

LONDON, ONT.

The last regular meeting of the union, held on Saturday, December 3, was one of the largest and most enthusiastic in years, it being election night. All the offices were hotly contested for, with the exception of financial secretary, W. A. Hunter being elected by acclamation.

Mr. Martin, an enthusiastic and hard-working member of No. 133, and our correspondent to THE JOURNAL, left last month for Chicago. London members wish Mr. Martin success in his new field of labor. If he takes the same interest in union matters in Chicago that he did in London, it will not be long before he will have made many friends among the typos of the "Windy City."

Alderman Richard Matthews, an honorary member of No. 133, who was last year elected alderman, will again be a candidate this year. The "People's Dick," as he is called, has been prominently mentioned in connection with the mayoralty.

The board of directors is composed of earnest union men, and under their guidance the local union bids fair to progress this year as never before.

The firm of Allinson & Element, printers, was burned out a short time ago, but it has started up again in new and larger quarters on King street. In the fire the stock and presses were almost completely ruined, and very nearly everything in the present premises is new and up to date.

Many old friends of A. J. Bremner, the old foreman of the Free Press, will learn with regret that he has lost his sight entirely. He had for some time been in Montreal, treating for granu

lated eyelids, but the physicians' skill was of no avail, and he is now blind and retired from the business. Fred Parkinson succeeded him as fore

man.

London Union will likely take hold of the Amos J. Cummings memorial scheme in earnest at the next meeting, as the board of directors will report favorably on the Hastings circular. Push it along, men. Amos Cummings was a good friend of unionism in its days of adversity. Don't let London be behind in this matter.

Several of the members here have received a copy of Louis Fuchs' new venture, The Stick, and it is much admired. HOOT MON.

MEMPHIS, TENN.

We are thankful for THE JOURNAL. There are more printers in Memphis this winter than for many years, and it is expected the closing of the fair at St. Louis will increase the num ber. It is the same throughout the south.

On Thanksgiving day Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Shepherd, always the kind friends of the indigent printer, waved their staffs and collected a flock of homeless waifs (tourists) to a magnificent dinner, which was amply enjoyed, even down to the beer, wine and cigars. It was entirely an impromptu affair, and the bill of fare was made up on the spot, without consultation with Annie, the cook, and printed immediately. The table was, therefore, laden with a great many things which the menu failed to mention; for instance, forty-eight bottles of Schlitz. There were no toasts, no speeches, nor any songs; but there was an abundance of good cheer and fellowship, combined with a calm quiescence, which demonstrated that printers are always gentlemen, although, perchance, not polished. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd were acknowledged supreme as hosts, and their friendly solicitude as to the welfare of our nomadic brother is kindly appreciated and will be long remembered by those who attended the dinner. Long may they live, and may their enjoyment of this world's blessings be bounti ful. Mr. Shepherd was elected vice-president of No. 11 at a special election at the November meeting.

Phil Brent, W. H. Johnson, Dan Wolf and Fred Borsch, machinist, have organized a corporation, and are now styled the Memphis Linotype Company, and are doing an enormous business. They have three machines. Mr. Brent and Mr. Wolf were secretary-treasurer and vice-president, spectively, of No. 11 before the new firm was started.

re

G. C. Sawtelle has one machine and is doing a good business. He also recently purchased a onethird interest in the Shelby County Democrat, a weekly publication, which has a good circulation.

Four situations were given out on the Scimitar recently, and now one machine sub earns a good living.

Gus Crawford's friends would like to hear from him.

The Commercial-Appeal building has been condemned and the union has appointed a committee to look after the welfare of its members employed

there, and it is using strenuous efforts in that direction. The building is beyond propping up and the danger is great.

W. Horace Johnson is now secretary-treasurer, filling the unexpired term of Phil Brent, resigned.

December 1, at 6 P. M., the Morning News passed into the hands of Gilbert Raine, a local capitalist and a prominent lawyer and politician. Mr. Raine, in announcing his policy, said that in the immediate future the News would be changed to an evening paper, with a Sunday morning edition. Senator E. W. Carmack is associated with Mr. Raine in the ownership. Walter and Embry Holmes, well and favorably known in the west, will be manager and managing editor, respectively, and they are welcomed as old and trustworthy friends. Already the new management has advertised for a three-story and basement building for the publication of a newspaper. It is also rumored that the Scimitar has ordered a new machine, and if it can not be procured immediately it will rent one. It has also ordered a nonpareil magazine. As the evening scale was made exclusively for the Scimitar no other paper ever being dreamed of— it leaves the prospects by the changed conditions very bad for the printers. The scale calls for 92 cents and 81⁄2 cents for minion and nonpareil, while the morning scale is 112 cents and 10 cents. Two cents a thousand is considerably under the conditions now in vogue on the News, as the operator gets only what the machine grinds out, besides correcting his own galleys, whereas the Scimitar operators get dashes, turn rules, single line heads, etc. A committee was appointed at the December meeting to take the new conditions before the management of the News, and see if the matter could not be adjusted amicably by the time the change is made, which will be about February 1. ARIOSO.

ANENT SOCIALISM.

The socialists contend for economic equality. Economic equality can not prevail where one man receives $5 a day and another man receives only $2 per day. If the inventor and superior organizer or superior worker receives what is justly due them under socialism (that is, if any one has ambition enough left to invent or organize anything), then we will certainly have classes just as we have under the present system.

But how about Babel, or any other boss, under socialism (justly), be able to tell who should or should not be excused from work or starve? If a socialist administration took the people's word we would have a multitude of paupers, and if it said "work or starve" what a large number of innocent victims there would be in one generation. Perhaps I may wake up to know about this and a hundred other unanswerable problems that confront the socialist, but, as I have made a study of socialism for several years, I guess I will be "agin" that creed to the end.

Fifty years ago the wages in the textile centers of New England were less than one-half what they are today and the hours of labor were 25 per cent longer. In 1830 wages in the cotton mills were 44 cents per day. In 1843 the average wage in the

city of Lowell for 9,000 operatives was $1.50 per week of seventy-eight hours. And what were luxuries in 1843, or even down to 1860, are common necessities today. A little over a year ago the average wage paid to 18,000 operatives in the city of Lowell was $7.31 per week of fifty-eight hours. As a matter of fact the mill workers dress twice as well today and have on an average six times as much money in the savings banks as when Marx made his statement.

The business crisis referred to by Mr. D. shows again that he is wrong. The worst panic this nation ever had was in 1837 and the next worst was in 1857. Panics come with less frequency and are less severe and shorter than ever before. This is due to the better organization of business. Mr. D. asks me to go among the coal miners. All right; I will take John Mitchell's word for their condi tion. Mr. Mitchell says that the wages of the coal miners are 95 per cent higher than they were only seven years ago. Compare wages and conditions of the coal miners today with fifty years ago, and what do we find? We find that the improvement is more than 100 per cent-yes, more than 200 per

cent.

Now a word about the number of stockholders. "Poor's Manual" is my authority for the statement that there are 1,100,000 stockholders in the railroads of this nation. The Illinois Central Railroad, at a recent stockholders' meeting in Chicago, reported in the daily papers that there were over 8,000 farmers who owned stock in that one road; it was also shown that hundreds of small merchants in the middle west were stockholders. The United States census reports show that in 1900 there were 708,623 proprietors in the manufacturing plants, not including the stockholders in the great plants like the United States Steel Company, which has at present nearly 90,000 stockholders, counting the twenty odd thousand workers who bought shares.

Mr. D. wants to know about the farm owners. I quote from the United States Census. In 1900 there were 5,739,657 farms, valued at $20,500,000,000. There were 3,149,344 farm families that lived upon and tilled that number of farms and who owned free and clear farm wealth to the value of $11,029,293,472. This, mark you, represents some 16,000,000 people owning 52 per cent of the farm wealth. But this is not all by any means. There were 500,000 other farmers who were paying for a mortgaged farm, but who already owned farm wealth to the value of over $2,000,000,000. On page 312, United States Census Reports on Agriculture, it is shown that 1,000,000 farm families owned two farms each, one of which was rented to a tenant, and 142,838 other farm families owned three farms each, two of which were rented, while 67.743 farm families owned from three to five farms each. Now, what does this show? Simply that 95 per cent of the farm wealth was owned by the nearly 6,000,000 farm families; and, moreover, the census shows also that the home owning farmers are increasing at the rate of 50,000 a year; that is to say, 250,000 people on the farms are becoming home owners each new year. And this is saying nothing about the wealth of this