The Shorter Work-Day. The leading feature of economic reform at the present time is the one of shorter days of labor-fewer hours of toil. Much has been accomplished in the last quarter of the present century, more notably in the last decade, to lessen the wearisome hours of men employed in mines, factories and workshops, but much yet remains to be done. All that has been gained in this direction thus far has been through the persistent urgency of tradesunion agitation, and all that ever will be gained must find its accomplishment in the persistency and force of organized, united labor. There are some who find reason for complaint that the American Federation of Labor has not been more radical in its action in this direction. Yet, upon serious reflection, it is difficult to insist just how far the Federation may go in efforts to legislate in this direction and preserve the autonomy-right of selfgovernment of the trades therein represented. To our mind it has done the only thing which delegated power enables it to do-given its assurance of united sup port when called upon, officially, through any of the organized bodies affiliated with the central body.

That the question of shorter hours is the one foremost of all others at this time is indicated by expression from every quarter. All are agreed upon the importance of the movement and the benef

icent results certain to follow the estab

lishment of a shorter work-day, universal in its application, and upon the intelligence and activity of radical and conservative alike depend the progress and development of the reform.

The initiative must be taken by the stronger organized bodies, and as they follow each other in the march of advancement, the weaker will fall in line, and the benign influences of the movement will eventually encompass even the now unorganized and helpless of the laboring masses.

Whole volumes might be written upon the importance of giving thought and discussion to the subject. In every office and workshop the question should be given serious thought and consideration. Individual selfishness should give way to a more generous impulse of care for the welfare and happiness of others. It may enforce a sacrifice upon a few-a very few-but that contingency is but a mite compared with the blessings inuring to the many thousands to be benefited by a realization of the finally accomplished shorter work-day.

WE desire with as much modesty as our nature will permit to acknowledge the almost universal commendation of friends writing us from every point on the improved appearance of the JOURNAL in its new form; as also evidences of material appreciation in the receipt of increased subscriptions, numbering many hundreds. We have not yet exhausted our efforts in work of improvement, and feel sure that the printing craft will yet have reason to look upon their own paper as the peer of any in its class in its artistic, mechanical and other departments.

THE mail and express report at headquarters for the month of December shows the transmission of 5,571 packages, of which 2,114 were letters.

The Mergenthaler Company and "Schools."

It having been rumored during a recent difficulty that the Mergenthaler Linotype Co. had furnished men to fill the places of our members and contemplated, or had in actual operation, a school for the purpose of teaching operators, President Dodge was written regarding the matter and asked if his company was going to change the policy it had heretofore been following. The reply, which is definite and to the point, is as follows:

MR. W. B. PRESCOTT: Dear Sir-Replying to yours of the 7th inst., this company has not now, and, as far as I know, never did have, a school for teaching the art of operating the Mergenthaler machine, that is, for teaching compositors. It has a room, soon to be enlarged, in which men are instructed as to the construction and operation of the machine in order to enable them to properly adjust and care for them, that they may be kept in operative condition.

Wherever we have contracted to deliver machines, we receive into our shop, if requested, the foreman or other representative of the intending user, and instruct him as far as may be necessary, to enable him to care for the machines when they reach the office. In a few instances, and for special reasons, men have been instructed in our factory to a limited extent in the operation of the machines. In most, but not in all, of these cases, men were to run and care for their own machines in our machine plants.

It has been the policy of this company in introducing machines to have them operated, as far as possible, by men already in the offices, and we have in all cases recommended the transfer of men from the cases to the machine, and this practice has been followed in almost every case.

I have no present idea of establishing a general school for the instruction of operators. Of course, I reserve the right to do so, and if I feel at any time that it is advisable and for the best interests of all concerned to establish in our factory a school in which intelligent American citizens who desire to earn an honest livelihood may learn the art of operating these machines, as they would learn any other art or industry, I should, of course, establish such school. It has been and will be my effort, however, to protect and foster, as far as possible, the interests of the practical printers, men who are experts in the art, and who should not be displaced by the machines if it can be avoided.

THE members of Los Angeles Typographical Union No. 174 are to be congratulated on having obtained control of the Journal office. Latest reports from the City of Angels is to the effect that the new daily paper is thoroughly union and will remain so. This achievement is particularly noticeable on account of the fact that Los Angeles is the home of Col. Otis, who conceives it to be his duty to oppose our organization at any time and at all hazards. It is evidently his desire to be the Frick of the Pacific coast, but it would appear that his power is perceptibly on the wane.

Far out from the sighs of the low and poor, And free from the ills that the rich can cure, On Wealth's boulevard, in a mansion grand, With luxuries scattered on every hand,

There stood a young man in a suit arrayed
That spoke of the corporal tailor-made,
Who glowed in his pride as he bragged at length
Of Company A and its fighting strength.

"The beggars!" he cried, "you will see them run
When we are turned loose with our Gatling-gun.
Two hundred remarks in a minute's time!
Ha! ha! if you watch you will see 'em climb!"

He laughed but his mother who held him moaned:
"My God! Is the justice of men dethroned
That they should permit of this foreign scum
To revel in blood and the lust of rum!”-

"Stop there! I've enough, in the name of God!" 'Twas grandpa that spoke in a voice that awed. "Go, boy, if you must, nor a coward be, But go with regret and unwillingly.

“Remember, my boy, when your country calls There's honor and glory for him who falls, But not for the dupe of the wealthy great, Who sometimes consider themselves the state. "There's many a millionaire's crimson flood Grows blue as it feeds on the starveling's blood; But bluest of blue in the prince's veins 'Tis only as pure as the heart it drains. "I, too, on a morning went out with gun To shoot at some strikers and have some fun, And back through the maze of the city streets We scattered the wretches by slow retreats.

"By slower retreats;-till at last one stood In open revolt, in an attitude

That threatened a missile-but no! 'twas worse: He flung in our faces a foolish curse.

Indianapolis, Jan. 9.

"And, angered, I shot him;-and saw him fall,
And heard, ere he strangled, a feeble call—
The name of his loved one, a little tot
That played at her home and knew it not.

"The papers next day as they praised me said
My deed was the act of a level head;
And then of his child, in a warning way,
They told of her kiss on his lifeless clay.
"And somehow that night, as I gathered in
My own little one that was free from sin,
I prayed to my God that my boy might be
Denied all the shame of my infamy.

"But why need repeat where there's no demand
How Fortune then favored the foster hand,
Till maidenly beauty and wealth and pride
Had smothered all thought of the man who died.
"And ever remorse, like a thing of hate,
Eat on as my youngster grew strong and great,
Till bravely one day, with a flush of pride,
He brought to our home a bewitching bride.
"Ah! cruel is fate when its mesh is drawn!
I shudder, and fain would I not go on;
For lo, as the girl to my heart I strained
I thrilled with a fear that was unexplained.
"The kiss that she pressed on my withered brow
Seemed fresh from the face of the dead somehow,
And-Father of heaven!-I shook apace-
Her eyes were the eyes of the striker's face!

"No! No! Do not shrink! you must bear me up;-
'Tis only for you that I drain this cup.
Yes, youngster, your mother, my boy's sweet wife,
Was plundered by me of her father's life!

"God grant, Oh my boy, when this strike is done
You'll hang up forever your soldier gun,
With never a worm at your heart to prey
To eat and to eat till the judgment day."

Breezy Meeting-Craft Chat.

Owing to the inclement weather the attendance at our last meeting was small. But it must have been "a few of the best of 'em" that were in evidence, for it was a pretty warm session. President Prescott's decision in regard to the case of Valentine Baltuff created much discussion, but the report of the committee appointed to investigate charges preferred against C. W. Brandon stirred 'em up thoroughly. The report itself was rather non-committal, and in the minds of certain members did not fill the bill, so a set of resolutions was drawn up and presented to the union in which J. A. Werner was censured for his part in the affair and C. Watt Brandon was exonerated from any intention to defraud. But even this did not appear to satisfy some of the members who were evidently out for Werner's scalp, therefore the next half hour or more was spent by certain members in assailing the character of a man who was not there to defend himself. Such a backcapping session is unprecedented, and I am mightily surprised that our worthy president allowed such a thing to occur.

It was the unanimous opinion of those who attended the recent state federation of labor convention at Winona that the affair was a success. Perfect harmony prevailed, plenty of good, hard work was performed and everyone came away happy and satisfied, feeling that the time had not been spent in vain. But at this late day, like a clap of thunder from a clear sky, appears a communication from Winona, printed in the Representative (of what?) and signed by "Winona Kicker." The

writer is evidently suffering from a temporary (?) attack of mental aberration, for the letter is the most contemptible article that has appeared in the Twin City press in many a day. Abuse is heaped upon all who took part in the affair, from W. W. Erwin down to the man who opened the doors of the hall. Mr. Erwin is not what he claims to be; the leaders in the matter are "foxy guys" and a prominent member of No. 42 is "a miserable little scamp." It is a well known fact that when Winona asked for the convention the request was granted because it was thought that the laboring element of that town would receive some benefit, which they need badly it seems. It is really too bad, after all the time and money that was spent and the amount of hard work done at Winona to have a citizen of that city attempt to undo all the good that was accomplished. There is one satisfaction, however, and that is that the press of Winona, without a single exception, spoke highly and in the most complimentary terms of the convention and the work of the delegates. It is hoped that there are few in the good city of Winona of the same kidney as "Kicker."

C. W. Foote, formerly of the St. James Plaindealer, will look after the interests of the Worthington Advance hereafter.

H. W. Grimes has purchased the Le Seuer News of E. M. McLeod.

The Lake City Republican has changed hands again. C. A. Von Vleck having bought out Kidd & Axtell.

Our JOURNAL is decidedly "a thing of beauty." When we learned that a change