field Courier, has gone to Hartford, Conn., to work in a linotype factory in order that he may be come proficient in the management of those machines.

The Cowley county stationery, blanks, etc., bear the union label this year for the first time in the history of this county.

All the union printers in this part of the country are glad that Oklahoma City is in the race as the meeting place of the International Typographical Union in 1912. Oklahoma City is, indeed, the wonder city of the twentieth century, a veritable marvel of growth, enterprise and prosperity. You'll see for yourself in 1912. T. E. LEFTWICH.

ALASKA MINING CAMPS.

Iditarod is the newest town or camp in the United States, being a place of some 800 people and built since the latter part of last June. There are a number of unique features that can be mentioned in connection with this camp. It has produced more gold than any camp in Alaska in the first year estimated at a million dollars; but privately, it is probably some less, for Alaska is the "land of liars."

Prospectors have set a new standard of industry here which has the busy bee locked in the coal bin, hollerin' for help. There are bushels of stubs of pencils lying around the town and creeks, and not a single wornout shovel, pick or gold pan to be seen. The scene of mining operations here is confined to about three creeks, and the claims are nearly all in the hands of a few. There is not an ounce of gold dust in circulation. Of the three creeks, one named Flat creek is probably the richest small creek ever found.

During the past month (September) there has been a big rush of stampeders to new strikes on the headwaters of the Kuskokwin river. Good mineral is found there over a wide range of country, and next season will witness an immense stampede, both over the trail and when navigation opens. One of five towns, all claiming to be the only original Georgetown, some 250 miles by river from Bethel, will be the center of activities for one district, while McGrath, 250 miles by river above Georgetown, will be the center of another district.

An excellent government winter trail about 400 miles long connects us with Seward, where connection is made with steamers for the outside. The writer has already traveled over the most of this trail and expects to make two trips over it this winter with a team of seven dogs and sleigh.

Iditarod has two well-patronized newspapers, the first one launched being the Iditarod Pioneer, "two bits per copy." George M. ("Buck") Arbuckle, formerly publisher of the Tanana Leader, at Fort Gibbons, suspended that paper to rush his plant in here with the first stampeders last June. The second paper, called the Iditarod Nugget, commenced publication in September, by Major J. F. A. Strong, who formerly published the Nome Nugget, then the Katalla Herald when the latter town was booming. Each office supports a situation, both

filled by card men. A. X. Grant, lately of Nome, has charge of the mechanical department on the Nugget, and a card man from Fairbanks holds the same position on the Pioneer. Wages are $10 per day. At present there are seven card men in town, but there is no work to be given out.

There is a good opening now for a new paper at Georgetown, where money can also be made the coming season in almost any kind of businessfrom running a laundry to a motor boat on the river.

A few prices of provisions in Iditarod: Bacon, 60 cents per pound; carnation milk, $15 a case, or three cans for $1; flour, $15; sugar, 15 cents a pound; eggs, $1.50 a dozen; apples, 25 cents each; onions, 25 cents each; salt, three pounds for 50 cents; fresh beef, 75 cents per pound. Smallest coin, 25-cent piece.

The "great white silence" is now falling (October 10), navigation is closed, and our mail will come bouncing over the trail some 1,200 miles by way of Valdez and Fairbanks, towed by a string of howling malimutes, and we will look in the almanac at a picture of the sun that is printed there so we won't forget how it looks.

By the way, this would be a good convention city; priority laws don't bother us, and delegates could take home a pocket full of nuggets and a skin full of mosquito bites. DUKE E. STUBBS. Iditarod, Alaska, October 10, 1910.

VANCOUVER, B. C.

The tragic death during the past month of E. C. ("Polly") Beard, an oldtime member of No. 226 and for years associated with western newspaper work, has caused much regret in typographical circles. His paid-up working card served as identification papers immediately he was picked up after falling down a basement. No. 226 had the funeral in charge.

Another of the members of Vancouver Union, John M. Bender, is seeking political office in Ward One, South Vancouver.

An agreement has been signed by the Daily World (L. D. Taylor) with No. 226, conceding a seven-hour day at the expiration of a three-year agreement, the reduction from the present sevenand-one-half-hour day to be graduated. The scale, too, has been increased from $25, day, to $30, and from $27 to $33, night. The Province and NewsAdvertiser are still unsigned. Looks like arbitration, though just what there is to arbitrate is not apparent to wage workers in Vancouver, the highestpriced town to live in in Canada, and even higher than Seattle.

New fast news presses, additions to plants, new skyscraper newspaper buildings, etc., in Vancouver at this time are but a reflex of the phenomenal capitalist development going on in this territory. With over a million dollars a month being expended in new railway construction alone throughout British Columbia, it seems as a barometer for other commercial activities.

The membership of No. 226 is still increasing. It is now around 225. Secretary-Treasurer Nee

lands has been empowered to employ an assistant. This is but a prelude to a permanent business agent at an early date. Vancouver will be kept 100 per cent union.

Both the president and secretary-treasurer of the Vancouver Trades and Labor Council are members of No. 226.

"There's a verdict."

Federal eight-hour day wanted.

Every worker should study the relationship of his vote with his meal ticket. R. P. PETTIPIECE.

PRINCE RUPERT, B. C.

No. 413 has just finished successful negotiations for a new scale, and all four offices have signed contracts for the year 1911. Considering the cost of living here, and the circumstances under which we have to work, we didn't get all we should have had. Still, when one considers that last year at this time the boys were working for a minimum wage of $25, it is plainly seen that we are progressing in the right direction-even if sailing is a little slow. The wages paid in Prince Rupert at present are as follows: Journeymen printers (or pressmen), $30 per week; foremen, from $36 to $40; machinists, $36; machinist-operators, $39.

The writer, having taken the foremanship of the Empire, resigned the office of secretary of No. 413 at the last meeting. Having always been radically against foremen holding an executive position in the union, it was up to us to take a dose of our own medicine.

Edgar Choate-the man from "Chi"-arrived from the south to take charge of the "mill" at the Journal left open by the writer's change to the Empire. J. H. LEWYS.

BURLINGTON, VT.

At the January meeting of No. 580 officers were elected. The report in the November JOURNAL that Miss Amanda Whyte was a candidate for the presidency was untrue, and the party who circulated the rumor has been elected a member of the Ananias club.

At the January meeting of the Free Press chapel the present chairman, J. W. Willett, who has served since the office was first closed, was unanimously elected for another year. Mr. Willett has had an especially tedious time in working out the duties of the chairmanship, he being the first chairman in a closed shop in Burlington, and has brought much credit upon himself in this connection.

A movement is on foot to form a woman's auxiliary for No. 580. A committee has been appointed and it is making arrangements for a social in the near future in furtherance of this project. It is the belief of the membership that a strong woman's auxiliary would materially strengthen the local union.

The members who are employed in the Free Press chapel are looking forward with pleasure to the automatic increase in wages, beginning Febru

ary 14, 1911. It amounts to only 50 cents, but will make the scale $19.

A social center movement similar to the one in vogue in Milwaukee by the socialist government has been started in this city. The public schools are the buildings to be used, and the work will be done under the auspices of the school authorities. At this writing only three attempts have been made, and the people it was intended to reach are responding promptly. Politics, religion and race prejudices are tabooed at these meetings, and the object, a closer relationship between the common people, seems to have been attained.

January 22 the Strong Theater was crowded to its capacity, the occasion being the first of a series of Sunday meetings conducted under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A. Rev. Charles Stelzle, of New York, the labor minister, was the speaker. The Rev. Mr. Stelzle is a forceful speaker, and gave his characteristic sermon on the duty of labor, organized and unorganized, to themselves and Christianity. A. J. CAYO.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

On New Year's day the election of officers for the ensuing year was held by No. 82. At a recent meeting the constitution was changed in order to make the terms of office one year instead of six months, as formerly. The change was made to conform with the custom in vogue in many subordi nate unions throughout the country. The election resulted in the unanimous selection of the retiring officers for the latter part of 1910, and all of the minor officers and committees were re-elected. Perfect harmony prevails in the ranks of the local members, and the re-election of the retiring of ficials was a compliment to their fidelity and ability in handling the union's business. Conditions are promising for the present year, no friction of any kind existing between those interested in the printing industry in this vicinity.

At the January meeting of the union a committee, of which Superintendent Deacon of the Home is chairman, was appointed to prepare a program of entertainment for the visitors and delegates to the San Francisco convention who contemplate paying Colorado Springs a visit on their way to or from the Golden Gate. It is hoped to make their stay in the Springs as enjoyable as possible, and those who are familiar with the varied attractions of the Pike's Peak region will surely include this city in their itinerary. To those who have never had the opportunity of paying the Home a visit, the chance to do so without extra expense and inconvenience should not be overlooked. In August the Home and its surroundings may be viewed at their best, and this treat alone should interest everybody who attends the convention. The com mittee of arrangements will organize immediately, and it is hoped that a definite program will be announced at an early date. In the meantime, don't forget that Colorado Springs is willing and anxious to entertain as many visitors as can manage to stop over here en route to California.

On New Year's morning the members of the

Gazette chapel entertained representatives from several departments of the paper and other guests at a Dutch lunch held at Robbins' Hall. All of the good things incident to such a feast were in evidence, including about a dozen species of sausages. After refreshments were partaken of, a number of addresses were made, followed by vaudeville and musical selections by those present. The merchants of the city contributed to make the affair a success. At the conclusion of the lunch it was unanimously decided by the chapel to make the celebration an annual affair.

At the present writing there is but one avowed candidate for the honor of representing No. 82 at the San Francisco convention, that one being William I. Reilly, of the Gazette chapel. The genial "Bill" has been prominently identified with local union affairs for many years, and is well and favorably known here. STEPHEN O'DONNELL.

NORTH ADAMS, MASS.

No. 316 has another member in the city council of this city, of which we feel justly proud, Edward A. Ryan having been elected to that body on the democratic ticket. This was his first appearance in the political field as a candidate for office, but he received a very flattering vote, over which his fellow members were very much pleased. "Eddie" is the youngest member of the council and we all look to his making good. He is a delegate from our union to the central labor union, in which he shows much interest, and he served as recording secretary of No. 316 for some time.. Mr. Ryan worked for some time at the Lyon's plant in Albany, and upon his return home he accepted a position on the Evening Herald as a linotype oper

ator.

P. H. McMahon was re-elected to the council last year. He has always been prominent in labor circles, having been president of No. 316 for a number of years. His ability as a presiding officer has often been recognized by his being called to preside at several very important meetings of the council. ROBERT TUDor.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA. Election of officers, postponed from December owing to slim attendance, was the important feature of Edmonton Union's January session. The attendance was first rate, the spirit shown was excellent, and every one believes the executive for 1911 is a very capable one.

Old friends of T. E. Rutherford away down in Indiana and Tennessee will express unfeigned approval when they see his name on the list as president of No. 604. Although a "homesteader" of some standing now, the new president is a loyal and aggressive unionist. The retiring officer, S. T. Harms, made a graceful comment on the past year's work, declaring the term to have been peaceful and progressive. He leaves office bearing the good will of all.

With the advent of the new year came the advance in the scale for book, job and ad men; it is

now $20 on the day side and $21.50 on the night side. Trade is very good and more men are wanted. Several situations on country weeklies are also going a-begging. New presses for the Daily Capitol and the Daily Journal are said to be ordered, to meet steadily growing needs. A second French weekly and a second German weekly have recently been launched, and who knows but before long we may have a Galician paper. Neither are improvements and additions to plants wanting in the jobbing line. Even with the thermometer dangerously near 50 degrees below, the "Gateway of the Last West" is wide open and the place active. R. T. McClymont, well known in Toronto and other points, who has been a member of No. 604 for several years, has discontinued work on account of ill health. He will perhaps take up some out-of-door employment in the spring.

A grant of money was made at the last union meeting to enable the label committee to push the sticker and label more vigorously.

C. F. Hays, business manager of the Bulletin, has just returned from the east with an Ontario bride. Mr. Hays was a former member of the typographical union, and was granted a withdrawal card at last year's annual banquet of No. 604. His friends are showering him with congratulations. ALEX R. GROFF.

PHOENIX, ARIZ.

Two months have passed and the sophistry of three employing printers in this city seems to have taken such a firm hold upon them that they either desire to continue the task of trying to keep rats in their offices or are not of such business education as would lead them to fully realize the childlike foolishness of injuring their former reputations for doing excellent printing. These employers are seemingly hesitating, fearing that if they gave in they would be classed as "has-beens" in the fighting world. Men of larger caliber in the commercial field have tried precisely similar tactics and have finally acknowledged their mistake. Printing plants worth hundreds of thousands of dollars have been ruined by so-called "open-shop" tactics, and the three proprietors in Phoenix who are trying the game are at present running their plants toward a shoal which they may later find it difficult to miss. Each of the offices, with the probable exception of a one-man plant, is paying more than the scale submitted to it by the union; and it is amusing to watch the antics of these employers attempting to control the appetites of their employes, one day bailing them out of jail, another searching the saloons for their "reliable" help. Before the strike, the proprietors of these three offices had nothing to worry about, their union help being always on time in the morning and seldom having to work overtime to accomplish what the present force of non-union men take day and night to do. It is said that several jobs have been returned to these offices from three to five times before they were printed to suit the persons ordering them.

The injunction suit brought by the McNeil and State Press companies against the printers and

pressmen, in an attempt to put a quietus on the label, has been dismissed by Judge Edward Kent in the district court. And the label is being used to wonderful advantage in Phoenix.

Ed ("Thin-Space") Jones has arrived in Phoenix from Mexico, where, it is alleged, he was conducting a newspaper, but had to suspend publication owing to the revolutionists confiscating his type and melting it into bullets. Now what do you think of a printer who would come into a civilized neighborhood with such a story as that!

"Pop" Nesbit is subbing on the Morning Republican, and Oscar Grace, of New Mexico, is on the Gazette ad side.

Fred Watson, who is at present acting as foreman for the McNeil "open-shop" company, says that he was foreman of the New York Sun when that paper opposed the union several years ago.

L. W. Everson, one of the out-of-works, has gone to Visalia, Cal., where Mr. White also went a few weeks ago to take the foremanship of a paper.

William Stennette, who, in company with his bride, spent a honeymoon season here, has gone to Medford, Ore. He telegraphed that he needed two men, and he was immediately communicated with.

The Voice of the People, the local labor paper, has been assisted by all members of the union subscribing for the paper. The editor, Mr. Blighton, is doing excellent work for the cause of unionism in this territory.

Fred Voltz, of the Gazette, went out to his mine in the White Tank mountains recently. He has a mine that is worth several thousand dollars, and expects to quit printing at no late day.

JAMESTOWN, N. Y.

C. A. KING.

The generosity of No. 205 was again exemplified at its last regular meeting when it decided to put a 25-cent assessment upon its membership for the benefit of the loyal ones in Los Angeles who are striving to uphold their dignity and freedom from the clutches of Otisism. It is the sentiment here that Otis, Kirby and Post will come into their own -humiliation-some day.

The Journal bunch had another of their "gatherings" January 25, in the Eagle Club rooms, in the form of a mock lodge installation. On this occasion the wives and ladies were included and added much to its success and entertainment. Five brief toasts were made, one from each department, after which the lodge work was put on, to the enjoyment of all present.

William B. Woodruff recently accepted a position with John B. Leach in Salamanca.

Invitations are out for the entertainment and card party, given by No. 205, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Dewey. During the course of the evening the president will bring the matter of organizing a woman's auxiliary before the ladies, and if it is advisable, start them on the way of organizing that body.

Hugo E. Sellevin, superintendent of the Journal engraving department, has recently resigned to engage in business with the Mason News Company,

taking charge of a new branch store in the new Gokey block.

Election is near at hand again and union men should attend caucus and vote for men who are fair and conscientious.

Samuel J. Willets, ex-president of No. 205, who recently went into business, has bought out his partner and will continue the business for himself. We wish him success. E. GEORGE LINDSTROM.

CLEVELAND, OHIO.

As developments are not developing very rapidly in No. 53, we must, as a matter of policy, exercise our patience in the unfolding of the higher laws. that gradually crystallize around the storm center of concrete unionism. The higher law with the class conscious union workman is to wring from capitalism that modicum of union wages, which, even though placed at the minimum, gives the capitalist world its working plan in the exploitation of the industries of these continental states. The aver age wage in the divers organized bodies is the necessary speculum in the outfit of capitalism in the adumbration of the conquest of the material world. If the principles of union labor in any of the devious paths of capitalism could be stricken from the economic world, lo, what a hideous vacuum, which nature unintermittently abhors, would succeed for the coming generations of the children of men. The road to a galling feudalism would be an abbreviated one, and men would stand in the public highways and demand to be sold into slavery. In the long historical retrospect the highway to oppression was the individualization of the labor unit in the proletarian wage bargain, consequently he had to yield to the scraps that were thrown to him from off the freebooter's table. In the rise of modern unionism, and in its scientific scope, the workman has reached the climax of individual and collective liberty which Rouget de Lisle has so trenchantly apotheosized in verse:

"Oh, liberty, can man resign thee, once having tasted thy generous flame,

Can bolts and bars confine thee, or whips thy noble spirit tame?"

This is the philosophy of unionism in its essence: If you want anything you must stand shoulder to shoulder, and as our revolutionary fathers enunciated in the day that tried men's souls: "If you don't hang together you will hang separately."

In local printerdom business has been quiet, although Chairman James, of the Leader, informs me that there is a demand for operators. And, by the way, the Leader has been somewhat revolutionized and rehabilitated of late. The newsroom is now presided over by Ed E. Bessette, of Chicago and California, an expert printer. The mechanical department has also been brought up to date by the installation of a new superintendent in the person of George A. Somarindyck. The letter press of the paper is to be changed from an eightpoint to a six-point matrix on a minion body.

We are not in the habit of chronicling deaths in this union, but the passing of C. D. O'Marah

demands some notice. We happened to labor with him for many years, and know that he was a solid-hearted union man. He represented No. 53 at the Kansas City convention in 1888. Mr. O'Marah left a widow in fair circumstances, who presented a communication to our December meeting asking for the privilege of keeping up her late husband's remittances as a memorial to him. We presume she will be elected an honorary member of this union. H. ST. VINCENT HICKEY.

MERIDIAN, MISS.

The members were highly pleased with the editorial mention of No. 153 in the January JOURNAL, and they do not intend to let matters lag during the present year. A vigorous label campaign has been inaugurated, not only for the printers' label, but for the label on all lines of merchandise. The merchants tell us they will handle union-made goods if we tell them where they can get themand we intend to "show them." So let every one boost the label.

Your correspondent spent the new year's holidays in Mobile. Secretary John J. Russell, of No. 27, reports union affairs in a good condition, and with the acquisition of two non-union shops recently, it only leaves two shops out of the fold, and it is to be hoped these may soon be induced to see the error of their way. The vice-president of No. 27, Sam Wilson, is a former resident of Meridian and one of the best that ever left here. Horace Burt, chairman of the Register chapel, is an ex-president of No. 153, and Henry Heblon, also from this place, is on the machine side of the Register.

Our secretary, J. H. Walker, has quit being a "night owl," having recently moved over from the Dispatch to the day trick at the Tell Farmer Company. C. J. Flemming is now the m.-o. on the Dispatch. W. H. Wharton paid us his first visit of the year early in January. Walker Lee, from Birmingham, was another visitor. "Red" Freeman has been subbing on the Star. E. L. Cowan, formerly secretary of Marshall (Texas) Union, has accepted a position with Tell Farmer.

EASTON, PA.

MEAD CAMPBELL.

On the evening of January 12, 1911, Easton Union No. 258 celebrated its tenth anniversary. There were about forty of its members in attendance. During the business meeting officers were elected for the ensuing year. Among the members present was Edward Geier, age 71 years, who works regularly at the case every day. After the business meeting the members proceeded to another room, where refreshments were served and card playing was indulged in until midnight, when all went home, expressing themselves as having attended the most pleasant meeting in No. 258's history. GEORGE H. RINKER.

BRAVE men were living before Agamemnon.

Horace.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.

William F. Houk, an ex-president and active member of No. 42, has been appointed state labor commissioner of Minnesota by Governor Eberhart. The honor came to Mr. Houk in the face of aggressive campaigns on the part of half a dozen prominent labor leaders of the state, and was unsolicited. The office, carrying a salary of $2,600 per year, is one of the most important in the gift of the state, and the governor's choice is warmly commended by laboring people, as "Billy's" reputation for squareness and probity and good common sense is well known. Mr. Houk was born in Dearborn, Mich., March 16, 1861. He learned his trade in Cleveland, Ohio, and joined the typographical union in 1883. When he came to Minneapolis in 1887 he entered the employ of the old Evening Star, and when it was taken over by the Tribune as its evening edition he continued in its service for twenty-two years, the last twelve in the capacity of day foreman. He has served Minneapolis Union as president, International delegate, delegate to state federation of labor and the trades and labor assembly. Mr. Houk takes up his new duties with the sincerest wishes for his success from the men with whom he has worked, and doubtless many oldtimers throughout the country who know "Billy" Houk will be glad to learn of his advancement.

An incident of interest to newspaper printers occurred recently when the power plant of the Minneapolis General Electric Company blew up and left the entire city without electricity. The Daily News, a seven-machine evening paper, conceived the startling and original idea of having a huge auto truck stationed on the street adjoining its office. The batteries of two other trucks were placed upon it as auxiliaries, wires were strung across the sidewalk and through the windows, pouring 220 volts into the office plant, and the linotypes began to click. The paper came out on time despite the fact that the "juice" was not turned on in any part of the city until afternoon. So far as is known this is the first time on record a daily paper was ever gotten out on an auto truck, and furnished just another instance of how hard it is to really stick a newspaper.

The Christmas just passed was an unusually prosperous one for the Minneapolis printer, at least that part of him employed on two of the newspapers. The reason was the "Christmas fund," established two years ago by the Journal chapel, and taken up last year by the Tribune. The Journal printers this Christmas split up a nice little pot of over $2,000, and the Tribune did nearly as well. Both papers have started a fund for this year, and the plan will also be copied by the Daily News. Shares are sold for 50 cents each, with a limit of six shares per man. Small fines are levied for money withdrawn or borrowed. Those who stuck it out last year realized a profit of over $5 per share on their investment. The scheme has proven a success in every way.

As was anticipated, they had to turn 'em away at the meeting of the union January 8. The prop