some mailed without the label. As soon as the error was discovered, the printing office made amends. It was merely an error, which the commission regrets more than it would an ordinary slip of the proofreader. By the way, this particular reader was one of the earliest label boosters, contributing articles to THE TYPOGRAPHICAL JOURNAL on the subject seventeen or eighteen years ago. A SIGNIFICANT DAY'S MAIL. In one day the commission received two letters from widely different sections of the jurisdiction and depicting vastly different attitudes toward the course. The first was from a small town in the Canadian Northwest. The writer wanted information about the course because the local typographical union had advised him to take it. The second was from Boston. An apprentice "prospect" wrote to say that his employer had become wise to his corresponding with the commission, and had discharged him for doing so. The young man refuses to allow the use of his name, as he has to make a living in the Hub, and evidently fears a blacklist of some kind. The Bostonian may be mistaken as to the cause of his discharge, but he tells a straight story that coincides with circumstances. But his case raises the question as to the sincerity of many employers who are loud in their clamor for competent workmen. Their treatment of apprentices casts a color of doubt over their professions. One of the leading teachers in the manual training department of the University of Chicago who has investigated the subject says employers as a rule are not really interested in producing better mechanics. What they desire-and what their material interest demandsis a large number of workers possessed of some skill, but living near the poverty line. This condition produces spiritless men, who are easily cowed and anxious for work at any wage. Experience in the printing trade tends to support that view. The education committee of the United Typothetæ frankly admitted that it reduced the quality of the instruction at Winona Institute when it discharged union instructors to make room for non-unionists. The logical inference is that students might be educated in typography, but they must be drilled in the sophistries of non-unionism. The development of good workmen is subordinated to the making of non-unionists, who will be used for the purpose of keeping low or lowering the standard of living prevailing in the trade. That is a prostitution of the purposes of education which, when properly applied, always tends to raise the standard of living. So unerring is the application of this law that the typothetæ is bound to fail in its · purpose, as students who acquire efficiency will join the union, as that is the only way by which they can secure the profit of their competency. It would be manifestly unfair to judge all employing printers by the unsocial attitude of the education committee of the typothetæ. But, making due allowance for the ultra-conservatism of men in business and the many cares that distract them, it is surprising the slight interest they take in the I. T. U. Course. Some openly say that if their employes acquire more knowledge they will be able to demand increased wages. This is shortsighted, for the wageraising knowledge will be put in the work and returned to employers in the shape of better prices or a greater volume of work. It is regrettable that employers are not more alive to the benefits of technical education honestly applied, but the reasons given by some in explanation of their indifference, apathy or opposi tion are conclusive arguments why journeymen should take the I. T. U. Course. It makes the men a greater factor in production and gives them the power to demand more wages. The price of booze (?), society news or hotels' bill of fare, The works of crooks, even school books in print would sure be rare; Our bills we'd miss with joyful bliss for "checks" we'd shed a tear And many other things we'd mourn but for the hero of the year. Altho' elopements and divorce would still be up-todate, And autos when on time or late speed far above the rate, Of Mrs. Jones' pet white cat that maybe died of gout And thousand other things like these we'd never read about. Think of all the ads he prints each day, each "HUNGRY JOE" ECLIPSED. An answer to this ad in the New York World, Men wanted to learn printing trade; all branches thoroughly, quickly taught; cylinder feeding, presswork, job composition; day, evening; excellent wages; positions plenty. CALL TECHNICAL, 37 West Twenty-first street, brought the following circular: Call Technical Instruction in Printing Trade, 37 West Twenty-first street, New York City: DEAR SIR-The printing trade is one easily mastered. Salesmen, drivers, machinists, electricians, etc., as well as those having no particular calling, find this an excellent and profitable trade to learn. No special training or education is required. Foreigners take to it quickly. Many of our best graduates never knew anything about the business until coming with us. We give thorough, practical instruction in all branches, either daytime or evening. CYLINDER FEEDING.-Register work (near and far guide), all speeds, patching up. This usually takes four weeks. PRESSWORK. (Cylinders and Platen presses), marking out, putting on forms, overlaying, underlaying, color work, halftone overlay cutting, vignettes, laying plates. COMPOSITION-Jobwork, stonework, makeup. ESTIMATE.-Paper sizes, weights and prices. STONEWORK.-Composition of all book forms, hand fold and machine. We aid in getting positions. Our school is well and favorably known for its thorough instruction. Here is a chance for you to advance yourself or learn one of the best-paying trades, with plenty of opportunities to secure employment. Will you take it? Further information, terms, etc., given only at the school. Open every day from 9 to 5:30; 5 on Saturdays. Respectfully, CALL TECHNICAL SCHOOL. P. S.-We have graduates in many of the best printing offices in this city-doing well. Only individual, practical instruction by competent experts -no classes. Having our curiosity aroused, a representative of Typographical Union No. 6 called at the "school," which was just an ordinary printing office, a little more unsanitary than the average nonunion shop. A customer was just departing with a thousand envelops and a bundle of letterheads, and the representative approached the man who took the money for the goods, surmising that he was the boss and chief instructor, and qualified to give "further information, terms, etc." His name was Fowler, and on his own statement was one of the best printers who ever dried his hands on a dirty towel. The representative stated that he had a 17-year-old son whom he wished initiated into the art preservative with a view to starting him up in business when he qualified. "In that case," said Fowler, "he will have to master both composition and presswork. This will take about four months and cost $60. If, however, he wishes to become only a compositor, at the end of three months he can go out as a two-thirder and earn $16 per week in any printing office in New York." The representative then wanted to know if it ⚫ were possible for a graduate of the "school" to get a job on a newspaper. That would be a little harder, because they had what was known as a priority law on the newspapers, and a compositor must begin by subbing, but if he had influence with the foreman or "pull" with the business office it was possible to land easy. "But wouldn't the union raise an objection to a man going over some one else's head?" asked the representative. "Oh, yes," said the professor, "but I have a way to overcome this, and many of my former pupils are now holding situations in newspaper offices." The representative then listened to a dissertation on the lucrativeness of the printing business, how easy it was to learn and the great profits it guarantees, and has since been wondering whether "Hungry Joe" was right when he said that only two suckers were born every minute. New York, N. Y. The GEORGE STEIN. of LABOR LEGISLATION. International Typographical Union, which we are all honored in being members, has enacted many wise and beneficent measures for the benefit and prosperity of its members and indirectly for the benefit of all wage earners, but has, I believe, lagged behind in the matter of agitation for better and more stable laws for the protection of its members and all of the laboring masses. While not acquainted with the outside activities of many local unions, I remember a few years ago of New York Union No. 6, of which I was formerly a member, demonstrating its activity in civic affairs by holding a mass meeting on the matter of subways. This is one instance to my knowledge of activity outside of merely union affairs, which is very commendable to No. 6. A number of states, as New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, etc., have typographical leagues or associations which meet at stated periods for the welfare of the printers of those states. I am not acquainted fully with the workings of those various associations of printers, but if they do not have legislative committees, I believe they should have one in every state where there is an association of typographical unions. I also believe that President Lynch should appoint, or be given power to appoint, an International legislative committee, whose business it would be to recommend to legislative bodies such measures as the International Typographical Union thought best would be of benefit to all wage earners. While at the present I would not know of many measures that could be presented to any state legislature for the betterment of labor conditions, I am confident that the International Typographical Union could lead in an agitation to repeal any state statute which made the non-payment of an employe, whether that employe be man, woman, boy or girl, a case for civil action. I am confident that the statute books should consider the non-payment of wages due an employe a crime and not a case for civil action. Denver, Colo. HARIAH RUDNICK. AU REVOIR, PRINTER MEN. The delegates to the International Typographical Union convention will close their work today and leave for their homes. St. Joseph has been glad to have them here and it regrets that its visitors are so soon to leave. The sessions of this convention have brought new light to every man not a member of the craft who has attended one of them. First, it has been a convention of strong, able men. Not a single state in the union can produce a legislature composed of such uniformly strong, high grade men as compose the body just now closing its deliberations. If more legislatures were of as high grade as this convention, the country would have better laws. In procedure, the convention has proved itself composed of able parliamentarians. It has been most dignified and orderly-more so than the aver age commercial body or state legislature. The delegates are not only fine, able looking men, but their work on the floor proves that the ability goes with the good looks. Indeed, President Lynch might, and not unjustly, offer to pit his members against the constituents of President Ridder, of the American Newspaper Publishers' Association, with every assurance of winning the beauty prize. The convention ends with St. Joseph's respect for the craft it represents highly increased. These men have proved themselves fine, able types of American citizenship, and St. Joseph gives them all a hearty handshake of farewell and good wishes, with sincere regret that every one of them can not stay and become a permanent resident of this city. If you can not stay now "come again and come soon."-St. Joseph (Mo.) Gazette. COLUMBIA'S PRESIDENT. Frank A. Kidd, recently re-elected president of Columbia Typographical Union of Washington, D. C., is a prominent figure in national civic and labor movements, and is well known in Chicago, where he was active in the labor field. He was at one time president of the trades assembly and for two terms organizer for Typographical Union No. 16. Mr. Kidd was for some years in charge of the Chicago postoffice printing office, and also clerk to the jury commission. He is now chief of the editorial and proofreading division of the gov ernment printing office, comprising 200 editors and readers, the largest force of copy editors and proofreaders in a printing establishment in the world. In 1891 he was a delegate from Chicago Union to the International Typographical Union convention held in Boston, and in 1904 Washington Union sent him to the St. Louis convention. The above clipping from the Chicago RecordHerald of August 8 recalls the time I was em ployed as foreman of the Palladium in the good old Quaker town of Richmond, Ind., in 1878-9. At that time Frank Kidd was an apprentice in the jobroom of the office. One Monday we on the paper were shorthanded (as usual), and I sent to the One Frank was sent up. jobroom for assistance. of the takes he got was in reference to a funeral and contained the words: "There was a profusion of flowers in front of the chancel." When the paper appeared on the streets in the afternoon it read "in front of the church." No one was clubbed, but it was some time before we heard the last of it. On the "firing line" on the "Pal" were Mose Grooms, Henry King, Billy Achuff, Mike Kelley, Mike Griffin, Sam Johnson and Hercules Snow, with Albert Lincoln Swift as galley boy. Achuff and Snow have "joined the silent majority," and the galley boy afterward became a prominent proprietor in Chicago. Frank Kidd was a noble, modest, unassuming young man, and I, for one, am proud to learn of his advancement in not only the "art," but in unionism, O. E. SCHUpp. Chicago, Ill. VERSATILE PRINTERS. It may be of interest to readers of THE TYPOGRAPHICAL JOURNAL to learn that during my connection, as a teacher of ontology, with women's seminaries in Canada, this most excellent of trade publications was often used in the classes of rhetoric and English as a model of what such periodicals should be. And the writers have learned the art of expression well, the contributions to its pages from month to month comparing favorably with articles appearing in the leading magazines. The printer is, because of his employment, a reader and student. His profession brings him in contact with literature continually, consequently it is no cause for wonder that we find him versatile, and that from the days of Caxton to Franklin and on to these times, with Mark Twain and a host of prominent literary men who were educated at the printing office showing what printers may aspire to, the man who sets type is second to none as an all-round student and thinker. Not long ago a printer, living in Winnipeg, wrote me a letter in poetry that will probably interest JOURNAL readers, and also serve to show all who read it that for versatility, sapience and erudition, combined with a sense of humor, my friend is entitled to a no mean place. This is his poem: I'm a lover of sociology, While your views are cyclopean, CHICAGO, ILL. Well, it's all over, and the printers of Chicago are again down to normal, after five days of strenuous efforts to entertain the 350 and odd guests from out of town. After staying up almost the entire night of Friday, August 13, putting on the finishing touches for the reception of guests, the members of the reception and steering committees sought the arms of Morpheus, only to be awakened in the morning of the 14th with rain coming down in torrents. The Cincinnati bunch had arrived the night before and was quartered at the Hotel Bertram. St. Louis arrived with the storm. and was taken to the Kaiserhoff. The Lake Shore train bearing the pilgrims from the east to our gates was on time, but owing to weather conditions did not arrive at the La Salle street depot until after 9 A. M. There were about 200 printers and printeresses in the party, hailing from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Washington. This party was escorted to the Auditorium Hotel, where quarters had been prepared for it, and after breakfast and a short rest the players and visitors were taken to the Union Printers' Club and given their credentials. The rain had made it impossible to have a ball game, and the balance of the day was spent in getting acquainted and renewing old acquaintances. In the evening a reception was given at the clubrooms, about 500 partaking of the hospitality of the club, which had been decorated for the occasion. Music was furnished by the Hudson orches tra. Refreshments of ice cream, cake, punch, etc., were served, and vocal selections and recitations by visiting and local talent served to make time pass swiftly and pleasantly. The weather condi tions having settled, it was decided to play the postponed games on Sunday and Monday mornings at 10 o'clock. Thirteen seemed to be the mascot. The Boston Union is No. 13, had thirteen players on its team, its party started out on track 13, on Friday the 13th, and arrived in Chicago on track 13. New York beat Philadel phia in the first game 13 to 2; the second game Boston bested Washington 7 to 6-added together make 13 and Chicago took the third game of the day from Cincinnati 13 to 0. Sunday evening an overflow meeting was held at the Union Printers' Club. A number of the visitors and local people participated in an automobile trip Sunday afternoon through the boulevard and park systems of the city. Monday morning St. Louis walloped the tar out of Pittsburg to the tune of 10 to 2. The first game in the afternoon-and the best of the tournament-New York licked the Boston cham pions of last year 5 to 4. The last game of the day was between St. Louis and Chicago and went to the home team-8 to 4. In the evening a trip along the lake shore on the steamer Pere Marquette was enjoyed by about 1,000. Tuesday afternoon Chicago, champions of the west, tackled New York, champions of the east-and Chicago got the stuffin' kicked out of her by a score of 8 to 2and New York was returned champions of the Union Printers' National Baseball League. Tuesday evening a reception and ball, tendered by the east to the west, was held in the Egyptian room at the Auditorium Hotel, on which occasion Harry B. Wood, on behalf of the visitors from the east, presented to President McGowan and Secretary Oschger, of the local Typo Athletic Association, two mahogany arm chairs as a token of regard for the untiring efforts which these two gentlemen had expended in trying to make the stay of the visitors a pleasant one. Wednesday afternoon and evening was spent at Riverview Park in diversified field sports, rides, etc., and wound up with a banquet in the Casino, in which about 450 participated. One of the features of the tournament, which seemed to be all the candy with our guests, was the issuing of a sixteen-page morning paper during the five days of the meet. At the banquet the beautiful trophy donated last year by "Garry" Herrmann, and which had been won by Boston at the New York meet, was presented to New York, champions of the league for the coming year. The Typo Athletic Association had prepared a beautiful testimonial to be presented to Charles A. Comiskey for the many favors shown local printers in the past, and the donation of the use of his baseball plant in which the present tournament was held, but owing to serious illness in his family Mr. Comiskey could not be present, and the testimonial will be given him at a convenient date. From both local and national standpoints the tournament was a grand success, and has added one more feather in the cap of the International Typographical Union as a progressive organization. Washington was decided on as the city in which the 1910 tournament will be held. The Employing Printers' Association of Chicago and No. 16 have at last come to an amicable agreement, and the printers in job offices in Chicago will receive a very substantial raise on October 1. The association at this writing is composed of ninety of the best shops in Chicago. No. 16 was represented by W. J. Hedger, Arthur Stutes, M. J. Cullen, committee, and our president and organizer. The linotype scale remains the same as before, in consideration of the monotype scale being raised to that of the linotype. Proofreaders will receive an increase of $1 per week. Extras working three days or less in any one week will receive a bonus of 50 cents per day. Overtime will be price and one-half up to three hoursdouble price for all time put in over three hours overtime. The scale will be $21 per week, days; $22.50, night--an increase of $1.50 and $1.80 per week, respectively. Besides the monetary consideration, a better and more friendly feeling has been engendered which can not fail to be of lasting benefit to both employer and employe. A com |