Public Printer Benedict Upholds the Law. Columbia Typographical Union No. 101, at a recent meeting, adopted resolu- tions instructing its president to petition Public Printer Benedict to select the tem- porary force required in the government printing office from the unemployed members of that organization. The offi- cers of the union were also instructed to call on the civil service commission and President Cleveland, in order to secure a modification of the civil service rules, if necessary, to enable the public printer to President Kehoe forwarded to Mr. Benedict a list of 119 unemployed mem- bers of No. 101, and in reply received J. D. Kehoe, Esq., President Columbia Typographical Dear Sir-I have received yours of the 5th instant, communicating the petition adopted by Typographical Union No. 101 on the 3d instant in regard to appoint- ments now being made by this office in its typograph- ical divisions for the purpose of meeting the work inci- dent to one session of congress which assembles this day. I am pleased to convey to you the following facts as to my action in the employment of such force: Under the provisions of the civil service act, the regu- lations governing the application of the same, and in accordance with the ruling of the civil service commis- sion, on November 9 I made requisition upon that body for a list of persons, including compositors, on the eligi- ble register available for appointment to this office for temporary work, this being the only manner in which employes can now be secured by me, provided there are names on the eligible register. The commission re- ported the names of 77 compositors with a percentage of 87.80 and above, and from that list I have selected the persons I propose to add to the force this week, with the exception of about a dozen persons who are eligible Permit me to suggest that your union might lessen the number of unemployed compositors in this city by making known to sister unions and to the unemployed here that the government printing office is now being conducted strictly under civil service rules; that the rules are fully observed in all appointments made; that temporary appointments must be made from the eligi- ble register; that the eligible register is now much more than sufficiently large to meet all present demands of the office, and that the maximum number of composi- As a statutory officer, I am now limited by provisions of law in the matter of appointments, as well as in other official actions. In the past, when at liberty so to do, I used the power I then had to a very liberal extent in af- fording relief to the unemployed in this vicinity, giving preference, as a rule, to those most needing employ- I withstood much pressure to that end, and made a practice of meeting emergency work by an extra force, composed of men living near by, rather than by making regular appointments, which, under condi- Such action on the part of your organization would, I cided decrease in, the number of unemployed printers in this city, whose ranks will undoubtedly be still fur- ther added to if there is a continuance OF THE UNREAS- ONABLE, WHOLLY UNWARRANTABLE AND FUTILE AS- SAULTS BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE UNION UPON THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM NOW IN VOGUE HERE, and if the unfounded rumors, entirely contrary to the facts, as to the trade situation here, which seem to have been as- siduously circulated, are allowed by your union to go uncontradicted. These attacks and rumors, inspired and floated evidently for some purely personal reasons, are certain to have the effect of raising within men's hearts hopes that can not be fulfilled, and cause them to come here or remain here when there is no prospect of securing employment in the government printing The following unions have not filed quarterly reports for the three months ended October 31, 1896. These reports were due not later than No- vember 15, and it is urged that those unions which are delinquent comply with the provisions 2, 4, 6, 7, 15, 16, 27, 28, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 40, 48, 49, 54, 61, 65, 69, 74, 90, 92, 94, 98, 101, 106, 108, 116, 124, 127, 130, 134, 139, 143, 147, 149, 152, 161, 163, 170, 171, 174, 179, 185, 188, 189, 191, 194, 198, 209, 210, 211, 214, 215, 217, 234, 235, 236, 240, 241, 244, 249, 252, 253, 261, 262, 271, 272, 274, 276, 278, 282, 284, 289, 290, 295, 303, 307, 309, 317, 319, 322, 323, 324, 325. Stereotypers and Electrotypers, 2, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24. Mailers, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6. Newspaper Writers, 2. Type Founders, 3. Photo-Engravers, I. THIRTEEN million people will have to be supported by the East Indian govern- ment because of the famine. Thousands of square miles of crops have been parched and destroyed by the sun's heat. This Defends the Proposed Percentage System. In the December 16 issue of the JOURNAL, Mr. Walkup states, as his opinion, the percentage system for collecting dues, soon to be submitted to the referendum, should be defeated. Inasmuch as he is favorable to percentage collection except for the International fund, we will assume his only objection to the proposed plan is that it does not provide a fixed per capita. Before taking up that point, however, I desire to correct a statement he makes, and speak of one or two other matters. He says that the "perplexed question" of how to figure out the collection of a proper International fund was "shoved" onto the executive council. In so far as the executive council are to fill in the blanks, that is true; but it was not "shoved" onto them by any premeditation. I had anticipated argument on the matter when the proposition would come before the convention, therefore left the sum blank, thinking about the proper figure would be arrived at by the delegates. But it pleased the laws committee to hold the matter until the last day of the session, and then present it at the end of their report. Notwithstanding there were propositions which showed on the face of them that they were connected with the revenue scheme, the percentage plan was held till last; but this did not kill the proposition. Owing to the short time left for the consideration of matters yet to come before the convention, that body "ordered" the executive council to prepare the scheme for submission to the membership - it was not "shoved" upon them. So far as its being a "perplexed question," in my opinion the very purpose of the creation of the executive council was to consider "perplexed questions." If it was "shoved" upon the executive council, the very statement sent out by the International officers excusing the failure to present the plan along with the others, on the ground that it is better to wait and learn the disposition of amendments now before the body at large, shows the wisdom of not filling the blanks. As to Mr. Walkup's statement that he does not know of a union man who is unwilling to pay the per capita to retain his membership, I simply ask how it is that the JOURNAL prints so many names of members having been suspended for non-payment of dues, and then many of these same suspended members being reinstated? Surely a member of the union is a union man, no matter what his disposition may be. A careful perusal of the percentage plan will show how impossible it is for a person to become in arrears under its workings. Any objections that may be offered to it on the ground of extra expense is overcome when we consider the work of the financial secretary is reduced and the union will not lose, as it now does, by the necessity of remitting dues, etc. Any possibility of fraud or injustice in its workings are overcome by the clause which provides that locals shall perfect its operation by local laws. Persons not working at the business are subject for revenue to local laws only; which is proper. We could then retain as our members all former members, many of whom would lend dignity and distinction to our organization. It is useless to say we don't want, as members, any one who does not pay dues, because that is offset every day by union men pointing to some dignitary and saying with pride, "He used to be a printer," or "He used to be a member of our union." Now to take up the objection to the percentage system for International purposes. For my part, I don't see why the International should not be sustained on a percentage plan. If it is good in one case, I see no good reason why it is not in the other. As to the uncertainty of the fund, I think that is the best part of it. The International, as near as I can figure, has about $15,000 cold cash, not any more, and under the present scheme of collecting money no prospects of increasing that surplus. If anything, it is dropping all the time, and in a short while we will have nothing. It is not at all probable that the executive council will make such a mistake in their calculations as to fix upon a per cent. too small to bring in as much revenue as formerly, notwithstanding they must speculate to some extent in arriving at a figure. The only fear I have is that they will, in their endeavor not to get too low, make it higher than is absolutely necessary, and thus scare some of the members from favoring the plan. They will probably figure on last summer's earnings. If reports are true as to the condition of trade at that time, it seems almost impossible that it can at any time be worse. There is a probability of there being occasional booms. What will be the result? The fund, when the income is at its lowest ebb, will be sufficient to cover expenses. Whenever work brightens, a surplus will be accumulating. Another thing; for my part, I don't think a person should pay one cent if he doesn't work, and he should pay an equal amount on every dollar he earns. Say what you will as to the principles of unionism, the fundamental principles were to better conditions-to keep up wages. No matter what other sentiments exist at this time; they have sprung up since; they are the outcome of the association as unions. There is still another feature. With the doing away of per capita tax the "country printer" can be brought into our ranks easier, although I think the initiation should be more than $1, and offered amendments to the constitution to that effect, but they were lost. What has been the objection of the "country printer"? Largely, that we did not offer sufficient inducement. He could get as much insurance on his life for less money than the per capita. These are not pleasant words, but they are cold facts in a good many cases. Now if a man knew he could become beneficiary to the amount of $60—even if he had to pay down $10—and make no further payment except for work done in a town where a union exists, the chances are he would join an organization offering such inducements, and he would hesitate some time before jeopardizing that insurance by doing something that the union does not permit. "That's all Now I hear some one say, very nice, but who foots the bill"? Why we, the people who are subject to the percentage, and we do it without a murmur, if there is anything in "In union there is strength"; because the greater the union the greater the strength; the greater the strength the greater the power; and the more power, the higher the wages. Mr. Walkup has said he regrets that he did not present his plan. So do I, if it has more merit than mine, because what I am after is "the best." He probably remembers I said on the floor of the convention, "I presented this plan because I knew not if any one else would do so, and I wanted the convention to consider the matter." However, it is possible others do not entertain my views. Therefore, as Mr. Walkup has suggested, come to the front and express yourselves, and we may get that which meets the approval of all. D. E. Cook. Trenton, N. J. Items of Interest from the Bay State. Work on the big dailies of this city is away below what it was this time a year ago. In some of the offices where the extras had been getting five and six days' work this time last year, they are now not getting more than three, and some weeks do not put in more than two days. The book and job trade also is in a state of lethargy, more men being idle at the present time than for some time past; but it can not remain so forever, and the sooner it picks up, naturally, of course, the more pleased all will be. On one of the big dailies recently the foreman gave out an order prohibiting all money-lending in the office, except that done by the sick benefit society. That is a move in the right direction. It was a source of gratification to many in this city that the Home assessment met with favor throughout the country. In looking through the tabulated report I find a number of Canadian unions did not cast a solitary vote in favor, and some voted only one "yes; but Halifax came to the rescue by casting its solid vote for the Home assessment. Well done, Halifax. Wish there were more like you. And I also noticed that the New York union passed adversely on the building of the hospital annex. Well, I never would have thought that great, generous BIG six would do that. Come, No. 6, do not deteriorate. Allow a little of your generosity to get outside of your own state once in awhile. I have been informed that some of our members, when they go to a certain restaurant in Newspaper Row to appease the inner man, oftentimes top off with a cigar-a special brand, kept under the counter, not union made. It is bad enough to purchase non-union - made goods unintentionally, but when men holding union cards deliberately ask for non-union-made articles, which are kept out of sight, to say the least there must be something radically wrong, or else they are very thoughtless. Come, gentlemen, think this matter over. We may need the assistance of the union cigarmakers some day, and it is only just that we should help them when we have an opportunity. Considerable interest has been manifested by the members of No. 13 in the proceedings of the American Federation of Labor convention, at Cincinnati. It was known to friends of Secretary McCraith here that he would accept office only under certain conditions. Mr. McCraith apparently has not lost any of the sand which characterized him in Boston, and he has demonstrated again that he is in the trades - union movement for unionism pure and simple. It is hoped that he will return to Boston, and if he does he will find a reception awaiting. him which any man could well feel proud of, and in addition will find many new friends, as well as those he knew when he was last here. "EUCAIRITE." Boston, Mass. From Another Correspondent. In the December 15 issue of the New England Printer a candidate for delegatorial honors to the late convention, Mr. S. W. Gamble, has quite a lengthy article, in which he takes the convention generally to task for their near-sightedness in the formation of laws. Mr. Gamble introduces himself by stating that he "is not afflicted with a sour stomach." Well, we will take his word for that. The substitutes for section 115 and section 158, general laws, as amended, are the particular parts of the proceedings he finds fault with. He claims they conflict, and can not be enforced in Boston, and makes the point that superintendents of offices can readily get rid of members for violations of chapel rules-such as |