VOLUME XXXV

NUMBER THREE

Notice to Members.

Under date of September 3, blanks were mailed to local secretaries for reporting the result of the vote on the proposed amendments to the constitution, which are printed on another page in this issue. These amendments should be discussed by subordinate unions, and the propositions voted upon by the membership on or before October 21, 1909, that being the time fixed by the executive council for the taking of the vote, in accordance with article xvii of the International constitution. The result of the vote on the propositions must be in the hands of Secretary-Treasurer Hays on or before October 31, 1909. Returns should be made under seal of the union, be signed by the proper officers, and should indicate the number of votes cast for and against the different propositions.

A DECISION, which is in direct conflict with many court orders, denying the right of employers to sign a strictly union agreement with employes, was handed down last month by Justice Morschauser, of the ninth judicial district of the supreme court of New York. The employes of the street railway at Yonkers had been on strike for some months, the company being in the hands of a receiver, under direction of the state courts. The strikers had petitioned the court to force the receiver to sign a union agreement. Judge Morschauser denied the right of the strikers to force the receiver to sign the agreement, but declared that when the road was turned back into the hands of its owners, it was within the powers of the strikers to force a "closed shop" agreement.

The Convention.

The St. Joseph convention has passed into history and will now be judged by its accomplishments. Only a small percentage of the propositions that come before conventions receive favorable consideration. This does not mean that propositions that are not made effective have failed of purpose. Many a proposition that is non-concurred in by a convention furnishes a seed of thought that blossoms into something of benefit to the organization, and is later made practical in a different form. The make-up of the St. Joseph convention was as nearly ideal as it is possible to make a convention under our system. The unwritten rule prevalent in many locals that a delegate shall not succeed himself, or may not seek re-election in later years, deprives the conventions of some of our brightest minds. That the application of this unwritten rule is unfortunate is the opinion of all close observers. On the other hand, the conventions are made up of the true representatives of the men who work at the trade, and the St. Joseph gathering was no exception to the rule. Its constituent parts were familiar with the problems that are met with daily in the conduct of local unions, and they came to the consideration of the various laws and plans submitted to them with keen comprehension and conservative decision. The greatest and most far-reaching proposition that will be submitted as the result of the convention's work is that relating to an increased death benefit, which is touched upon elswhere. The pension policy was unmolested, and the wisdom of this non-action is also given special reference in another column. Many

amendments to by-laws and general laws, purely technical in nature, were made, while others of more serious import were enacted. All in all, it is believed that the work of the convention will make for the general advancement of the International body, as have the conclusions of all of the conventions held during the past dozen years.

Home Postcards and Pictures.

In the belief that it will aid in the great organization campaign now going on, and which has been so successful in results during the past four or five months, the executive council has reduced the price of the Home postcards from 25 cents to 10 cents. The postcards are printed in five colors, eight to the set, attractively bound in a neat jacket. They can be mailed singly or in package. They are valuable to send to a friend who is prejudiced against trade unionism; they are silent but eloquent advocates for our cause. They are useful to send to a friend who is a trade union supporter; they will supply him with new arguments. The council has also reduced the price of the five-color picture of the Union Printers Home from 50 cents to 25 cents, and the price of the two-color picture from 25 cents to 10 cents. This printed matter will be of the utmost service if freely used in organizing work and in furthering other trade union effort. Send all orders to International headquarters.

Apprenticeship Regulations.

For several years there has been effort to gradually surround apprentices with tradeunion regulations that would, to as great a degree as possible, guarantee that these apprentices should graduate as capable journeymen. Of course, much depends on the apprentice, but every apprentice should have the opportunity to bring out the best that is in him. The St. Joseph convention so amended the International law as to give the apprentice greater opportunity to learn the trade. He must now be employed at least two and one-half years at hand composition and the intricate work of the trade, not including the last six months of the apprenticeship term, during which he may

have opportunity to learn the operation of typesetting machines.

In their turn local unions should enforce the International law, which will be effective after January 1, and should make such further local regulations as may be necessary in order to insure the working out of the International provision. Bright and ambitious apprentices, if given a fair chance, will make good printers, and good printers command good wages and keep the trade on a high plane.

In the meantime, bear in mind the advantages offered to apprentices and journeymen by the Commission on Technical Education for the International Typographical Union, with its headquarters in Chicago.

Our Pension Policy.

The convention at St. Joseph wisely decided not to change our pension policy, nor amend the laws governing the disbursement of pensions until greater experience has been had under the present pension statutes. It is believed that when the next convention assembles in Minneapolis, we will know, to a fair degree, what our liabilities will be and just how far we can go with safety in increasing these liabilities, and the ability of the pension fund to carry them.

It would not require a very great broadening of our pension policy to so increase the liabilities that the receipts would be only sufficient to meet them. When this point is reached the danger line will be in evidence. When the liabilities exceed the receipts, then the danger point will be emphasized and the reserve fund gradually disappear. The amount in the pension fund at present appears large, but dwindles alarmingly when contrasted with the liabilities. The difficulty is that the reserve is apparent while the liabilities are in the background, though none the less serious and pressing for consideration.

The pension policy is one of the soundest inaugurated by the International Typographical Union, and at the same time one of the most dangerous. With careful handling and well-considered action, it can he made of the greatest value to the membership and the organization; with ill-consid

ered amendment, induced by sentiment or the desire to cover particular cases, the pension policy, would become so burdensome that the membership would speedily seek a way to eliminate it altogether.

The Minneapolis convention will be in a much better position to consider the necessity for changes than was the convention just adjourned. Experience is a great edu

cator.

A Suggestion.

The president of one of our typographical unions, in making request for two thousand copies of the tuberculosis pamphlet, says: "I have been using them with circular and lists of union offices, and find that they are a good advertiser and take well with the business men, as I have received a score of letters complimenting the union on this way of inducing them to place their printing orders with fair concerns." The circular alluded to says that the International Typographical Union is an organization that is founded on humanitarian principles and conducted along lines that make it a credit to the organized labor movement of this country. The beneficial features, education for apprentices, Home for the sick and aged, pensions for superannuated members, burial fund, sanitary workrooms for compositors, etc., are then enumerated, and attention called to the list of eight-hour union printing offices that is enclosed.

The Home Addition.

The gathering of the fund for the completion of the addition to the Union Printers Home, in which is to be housed the Home's magnificent library, and is also to include a modern and up-to-date kitchen, with the latest equipment, is slowly progressing. Inasmuch as the actual construction of the addition is in progress, money will be needed shortly to pay for the new structure. In considering this, the committee on Union Printers Home, at the St. Joseph convention, had the following to say: We recommend that the delegates to this convention, upon returning to their respective unions, endeavor to enlist their members in the cause of the library addition to the Home. It will require about $8,000 more to complete and furnish the

same, necessitating but a small contribution from each member to accomplish this purpose.

Members, chapels and unions desiring to contribute are urged to do so at once. Local officials and chapel chairmen now holding funds that have been gathered are requested to send in the money at once. Renewed effort should be made in order that the recommendation of the committee on Union. Printers Home at the convention, and which was adopted unanimously by the convention, may be effective. The cause is a good one, and should be enthusiastically supported. Good books for the mental requirements; well-prepared food for the physical requirements-this is the meaning of the new addition to the Home.

An Important Labor Convention.

The twenty-fifth annual session of the Trades and Labor Congress of Canada will convene in the city of Quebec Monday morning, September 20, and will continue in session from day to day until the business of the congress has been completed. It is of the greatest importance that every typographical union in the Dominion should have a representative in attendance. From one end of Canada to another, it is claimed, an effort is being made to foster anti-international sentiment and to promote the socalled "national" movement. The head and center of this "national" movement is in the province of Quebec, where organization is at its lowest ebb. It is the intention of the coming convention to demonstrate to the workers that their best interests lie with international organizations. The congress, during the last session of the Dominion Parliament, secured the ignominious defeat of an act to make it a criminal offense for representatives of international organizations to visit Canada. Every subordinate body of the International Typographical Union in Canada should have its own representative present, and in this way add greatly to the strength of the convention, and help to impress the unorganized printer that he should be in the International body.

BE a booster for the Minneapolis convention in 1910. It's a good thing.

Now Is the Time to Organize. Changes in laws governing organization were made by the St. Joseph convention, and chief among these changes is the requirement of a five-dollar charter fee from each applicant making up a charter list. So-called "provisional" members must also pay $5 after January 1. Applicants to local unions must pay a registration fee of $2 in addition to the local initiation fee, the registration fee going to the International treasury. It was the sentiment of the convention that membership in the International Typographical Union was now so valuable as to make the change in admission fee perfectly legitimate and well grounded. The equity value of membership in the International Typographical Union is more than $25 per member, and new members should pay something for this equity value.

The new laws will be effective on January 1, 1910, and prior to that time present rates will prevail. This offers a magnificent op portunity for organizing work. All nonmembers should be given to understand that membership can be had now for prevailing rates, but that after January I there will be an additional cost for that membershipnot less than $5 for charter applicants, $5 for provisional members and the local initiation fee plus $2 to applicants for membership in subordinate unions.

Some Valuable Documents.

One of the oldest printers in the jurisdiction of the International Typographical Union, and for many years a member of our organization, J. L. Bittinger, of St. Joseph, Mo., during the sessions of the convention presented President Lynch with a copy of the proceedings of the convention of the National Typographical Union, held in Philadelphia in May, 1856; copy of the proceedings of the National Typographical Union convention, held in Boston, May, 1859; two copies of the constitution of St. Louis Typographical Union No. 8 for the year 1856, and a copy of same constitution for the year 1858; copy of the constitution of New Orleans Typographical Union No. 17 for the year 1857; copy of the constitution of Boston Typographical Union bear

ing date of March, 1857; copy of the constitution of Chicago Typographical Union adopted June 27, 1857, and also copy of the constitution of Chicago Typographical Union for the year 1860; copy of a circular issued by Ladew, Peers & Co., typefounders of St. Louis, bearing date of 1860, and copy of the Atlas and Daily Bee, issued in Boston, Saturday morning, May 7, 1859. Arrangements will be made to preserve these historic documents at headquarters. Any of the members of the International Typographical Union who desire to add to the collection may do so, and the gifts will be appreciated. All constitutions, copies of papers and copies of union documents that may be received will be properly listed and filed, and an effort will be made to make the collection a creditable one and of value to the International Typographical Union.

The Death-Benefit Plan.

The attention of the membership is invited to the death-benefit plan, as submitted to the St. Joseph convention by the mortuary committee and adopted by that convention. The plan will be put before the general membership for vote at a date in Febuary to be selected by the executive council. In the first instance, the plan should not be confounded with the insurance idea. It does not propose insurance as insurance is understood today. The proposition is for an increase in the death benefit, graded according to length of membership, running from $75 to $400, the latter payable after continuous affiliation of fifteen years with the International Typographical Union. In the second instance, the plan should not be hastily endorsed, nor incontinently condemned.

It should be carefully studied prior to February, when the vote will be had. It is believed that its adoption will make membership in the International Typographical Union more valuable, and it is also considered as not burdensome to the membership. There have been few complaints against the pension assessment, and the proposed assessment for the increased death benefit is the same as that now running to provide the fund for the payment of pensions. The average cost per month

per member during the fiscal year for the pension fund was a trifle more than 37 cents, or $4.48 per member per year, and it is safe to assume that the cost for the increased death benefit, if enacted into law, will be about the same. Thirty-seven cents per month is not too much to pay for a death benefit of $100, or for the benefit in the next lower grade-$275-and the great bulk of the membership will be in these two classes.

In any event, as before advised, the plan should be carefully studied-not from the viewpoint of ill-considered opposition, nor unwise enthusiasm in support-but calmly, logically and with a view of ascertaining that which is for the best interests of the membership of the International Typographical Union and the future and stability of the International body.

Endorsement of Advertising Policy. Employers have expressed surprise at the manner in which work has been maintained in union offices, while the typothetæ has been reporting an amplitude of idle men. The preponderance of efficient workmen in the union ranks and other obvious elements have been urged in explanation. Outsiders have been slow to recognize the effect and influence of our advertising campaign. In the circumstances that surround the union it is difficult to trace results from such work; and the natural prejudice against labor organizations does not make a difficult problem any easier. We must have faith in advertising, and never forget that, as its effects are cumulative, we should "keep everlastingly at it," which is the slogan of all successful advertisers.

If a great corporation had the goal to reach and the field to cover that are ours, it would devote hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to the problem. It would centralize its efforts and aim to make every cent count. Though we have not reached that stage of development-have scant appropriations and each local is experimenting in its own way we are reaping results. We hear from our advertising campaign every hour, and occasionally quite approvingly. In Cleveland, Ohio, the Electric Controller and Manufacturing Company issues an

advertising sheet-a house organ, it is sometimes called-known as Common Sense. It is edited by David Gibson, a maxim-maker and commercial uplift writer, who knows advertising well, and seems to possess more real economic knowledge than the average of his class. House organs, as a rule, are intensely anti-union when they condescend to notice the drawers of water and hewers of wood. Though slightly acquainted with Mr. Gibson's liberal views, we were rather surprised to see a good game boosted in Common Sense in this trenchant way:

The other day in Cleveland all publishers and concerns with large printing accounts received a letter from the local branch of the typographical union, of which the following is an extract:

"A few of its beneficial features are: Education for Apprentices-which enables the student to master the problems of our trade and makes him a more efficient workman; over one thousand students are enrolled at this writing. Home for Sick and Aged situated at Colorado Springs, Colo., where the most scientific treatment is given to tubercular patients, and the old and infirm are accorded every comfort in their declining years. Pensions for Superannuated Members-providing a revenue to those who are unable to secure employment at the trade of $4 per week; at present 650 members are enjoying this pension. Burial and Sick Fund-$200 in case of death, and $5 per week to those who are incapacitated through sickness. Sanitary Workrooms for Compositors-that our members will be less liable to fall victims to the ravages of the 'white plague,' which claims so many printers."

Now what is this?

It is nothing more nor less than advertising, and is indicative of the fact that the trade unions will be the first to apply advertising principles for education to their cause and to gain general favor and for the prevention of differences.

Enclosed with this circular letter was a wellprinted booklet describing and picturing their tuberculosis camp at Colorado Springs.

This is nothing more or less than what business concerns generally have been doing for years -picturing their institution, advertising its general policy and the merit of the goods in which they deal.

A letter like this can not help but have an ef fect; for it is an appeal to the heart, and when our hearts are appealed to we act with our intellects.

For some three years the writer has urged the application of advertising principles for raising the ideals of labor and gradually bringing about a mutual understanding for mutual profit. Most of these articles and addresses have been circulated to employers, but by changing the phraseology a little these could as well be circulated to members of labor unions; for the whole labor question is