MAILERS' TRADE DISTRICT UNION. Apparently my article in the October number of THE JOURNAL has stirred up a little strife in the Chicago organization, as I received the following letter recently and have decided to publish same, as I believe, in justice to the signers and to the organization itself, their side of the matter mentioned should be heard: NOVEMBER 1, 1909. Mr. Charles N. Smith, President Mailers' Trade District Union, Brooklyn, N. Y.: DEAR SIR AND BROTHER-Your article in the October JOURNAL, and your criticism therein of the conduct of the membership of Mailers' Union No. 2, raised a long and loud protest at the last regular meeting, held Monday evening, October II. The executive committee was instructed to write you and demand a retraction of anything which savored of non-support of the officers of No. 2 by its members. The executive committee, while appreciating your position as president of the Mailers' Trade District Union and your desire to aid and benefit the craft, feels that your article delves rather deeply in our internal affairs, too much so in fact to permit of publication in our official journal. Whatever your aim or desire may have been in the writing of the article, its purpose has been served in arousing the membership to a sense of their duty, and an article from you which will give the membership cause to feel that you look on them as loyal, faithful and intelligent members will serve to heal what at present promises to be a serious breach within our ranks, leaving conditions as you found them; and with a desire to further promote harmony and good will, we sincerely hope you will give the question the publicity it deserves at the earliest possible moment. Fraternally yours, FLORENCE DONAGHUE, I am of the opinion that if the members of No. 2 who are responsible for this communication would spend as much time in promoting the interests of their organization as they seemingly do at meetings wrangling over true statements of facts, Chicago might have much to look forward to. The truth can not be downed, my friends, and those who believe they can openly violate their laws by working at less than their organization's established scale of prices, misjudge me when they suggest that I keep quiet about same. I have replied to this communication, and I hope the rank and file of No. 2's membership will recognize the necessity of abolishing the violation aforementioned. Matters are very quiet among the older organizations, although while in Boston recently it was rumored they are going to consider a new scale shortly. Things are becoming quite brisk among the new locals. I attended a meeting of one of the largest locals, recently organized, and was surprised at the fine attendance and delighted to learn they had advanced in membership over 25 per cent in a month. In fact, all the new organizations are advancing in membership, and other things, too, for with very few exceptions they are looking forward to the establishment of a uniform scale of wages. There is a possibility of having a few more new locals with us before the snow flies. I have installed a chain of temporary organizers to take up this line of work during the next two months, and I look forward to good results from this source. Some of these organizers that have been assigned to this line of work in districts nearest them are James McNichols, of Chicago; James Winters, of New York, and Secretary Allen, of Boston. I may, if necessary, add a few others to this list, and in addition to this I intend to do my share of this class of work, and propose to take up the work of organizing the Dominion of Canada at my earliest convenience. I take this means of notifying I. Reynolds, of No. 6, that unless he replies to his appeal against No. 6 on or before January 1, 1910, I shall decide against him on default, as his counsel has refused to proceed any further with his case, and his present whereabouts is unknown to me. I attended the convention of the American Federation of Labor in Toronto, Ontario, and while in that city was informed by President Lynch that President Glockling, of the bookbinders, has refused to submit the single wrapping question to a labor court, and said he would send President Lynch a communication as to his reasons for said refusal. I have been informed that some of our locals are not paying their per capita to the Mailers' Trade District Union as regularly as they should, and I want to notify the members of these locals if their secretaries don't pay more attention to their business they will find their organization suspended from the International Typographical Union shortly, as suspension from the Mailers' Trade District Union for non-payment of per capita, or any other cause, will make suspension mandatory from the International Union. Toronto has a new scale up for consideration by the publishers of that city, and I am informed there is a very good chance of obtaining all they ask. CHARLES N. SMITH, President. THE SECRETARY'S LETTER. I have not received the entire votes on the proposed amendments on the corrected ballots up to this time, only a few locals sending in their returns, but a tabulated canvass of returns will be published in the next issue of THE JOURNAL, OWing to the delay in making returns. The Christian Science Monitor printed a Thanksgiving number containing over 112 pages, in celebration of its first anniversary as a daily newspaper here in Boston, and many members of Mailers' Union No. 1 were given a chance to work on this paper for the first time. Toronto Mailers' Union has voted to make new laws to cover the workings of the new auto. mailing machines. This union has also presented a new scale of wages to the publishers of Toronto. By the time this JOURNAL arrives in the hands of its readers, possibly two new unions will have been launched. The following is the financial statement of the Aug. 14. To C. N. Smith, expenses attend ing convention at St. Joseph..$139 40 Aug. 14. To John Garvey, expenses attend ing convention at St. Joseph.. 182 75 Aug. 14. To R. T. Allen, expenses attending St. Joseph convention.... Aug. 14. To Daniel Corcoran, member of laws committee Aug. 14. To N. A. Snapp, member of laws committee Aug. 14. To James McNichols, member of Aug. 25. To John W. Hays. I. T. U. per 210 00 Receipts. Oct. 1. Balance on hand... Total Expenditures. .$578 40 575 I 35 355 20 65 850 8 00 2 70 40 4.90 $634 20 Oct. 19. To R. T. Allen, expenses in Providence Oct. 31. To Nelson-Hanne Printing Co., 1,500 amendments to constitution Oct. 31. To Edward Dunn, printing corrected ballots and amendments $30 00 625 12 00 Balance on hand.... Boston, Mass. ...$585 95 ROBERT T. ALLEN. Sept. 2. Adams Express Co., shipment to New York of proceedings.. Sept. 2. To R. T. Allen, postage.. Sept. 9. To C. N. Smith, expenses. Sept. 9. To Edward Dunn, printing 500 letterheads and envelops... Sept. 15. To Nelson-Hanne Printing Co., for 1,500 proceedings of convention Sept. 30. Postoffice box rent for October 1 to December 31, 1909... Sept. 30. To John McArdle, for trip to Albany, Troy and Bennington, Vt. Sept. 30. To New York Central R. R., for freight on shipping proceedings from St. Joseph to Boston.... Total $0 85 50 46 389 3.00 12 40 6 50 120 00 3 00 17 56 2 98 $171 14 TORONTO MAILERS. At our annual dinner on November 10 we had the pleasure of having for our guests the members of the Joint Conference Board, consisting of President Lynch, of the International Typographical Union; President Freel, of the stereotypers; President Glockling, of the bookbinders; President Woll, of the photo-engravers, and President Smith, of the Mailers' Trade District Union; most of the above-mentioned gentlemen being in our city as delegates to the American Federation of Labor. At the dinner President Glockling spoke on the better results to be obtained by the unions acting together. President Freel gave credit to the International Typographical Union for paving the way for the eight-hour day for the rest of the craft. President Woll gave a brief history of the origin of the union label. President Lynch spoke of the splendid backing which the Toronto mailers gave him in the eight-hour fight; also explained the new mortuary benefit fund. In the course of his speech he remarked that the cause of his rotund appear. ance was that, whenever he was in a city in which there was a mailers' union, he usually had to sit down to about five meals a day. He also complimented President Smith on the great organization work he was carrying on among the mailers, and remarked that President Smith had his consent to organize wherever he has a chance. President Smith stated that he intended to organize as many locals as possible, and he hopes to double the number of locals that he has already organized since he has been in office. Toastmaster Gallagher informed the guests that we regretted the fact that President Berry, of the pressmen, and Secretry-Treasurer Hays were un able to be present. James Gordon spoke of the efforts of the entertainment committee to provide suitable entertainments on so short a notice. The following members entertained: Messrs. Walsh and Winstanley, piano and singing; McCleary and Titus, mandolin and guitar; Mr. McKenna, dialogue; Messrs. McGarry and Parrot, jokes, and Messrs. Morton and Mann, their one-act sketch, entitled, "Where, Oh Where, Has My Bottle Gone?" after which everybody voted it an enjoyable evening, and adjourned. By the way, what seems to be the matter with the different locals? With the exception of Boston, New York and San Francisco, none of them seems to have any correspondence in THE JOURNAL. Come on, now, all ye locals; let's start the New Year right. Everybody have a bit of news for the January number and let us see that you are alive. It will also give President Smith confidence in the good work he has undertaken, so now one and all "boost." A. C. ROSENBACK. JOPLIN, MO. The Joplin Printing Company is in its new home and has a modern, up-to-date plant, unequaled by any in this part of the country. Carleton & Grissom is the name of a new printing firm. Both are members of the typographical union and will use the allied printing trades label. County Recorder Brader recently sent a big job of printing to an out-of-town non-union office. Other county officials are doing the same thing. The officers of Carthage and Joplin Unions have the matter under consideration. The writer was unanimously chosen to represent the Joplin Trades Assembly at the Toronto American Federation of Labor convention, and owing to the fact that three weeks of the month of November will be consumed in attending this big gathering, including traveling to and from the convention, but little local news can be sent in from Joplin. CHARLES W. FEAR. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. The San Antonio international fair and auto races last month made business good in the adrooms, and some of the force caught and bottled several 90-cent hours. Printers from the north and east have begun to arrive for the winter. The blizzards and blinding snows have little attraction for the tourist, once he has spent a winter in San Antonio, among the roses in the beautiful parks and plazas. Six cards were read at the last meeting. The label committee is still "putting the sticker on," and the howls that are heard from the nonunion concerns indicate that most every sticker is a stinger. This committee had a contest on for ninety days-offering prizes to the member turning in the greatest number of pieces of printing minus the joker. Mrs. Ronayne won first prize, International Typographical Union cuff buttons; Mrs. Tedford, second, International Typographical Union stickpin, and Fred Horne, third, Roy International Typographical Union button. Loman made the presentation speech, and those present say he is the "candy kid" at that job. Salt Lake City wants the International Typographical Union convention for 1911. Here's a boost for Salt Lake. Your correspondent spent one summer in "the city by the inland sea" and enjoyed every minute of it. The sweltering heat of Hot Springs, Boston or St. Joseph does not "happen" in Salt Lake, and should that city land the convention, the delegates would fall heels over head in love with the climate of the Salt Lake valley. Here's to you, Salt Lake! E. B. MURPHY. SCRANTON, PA. Our present scale expires with this year, and negotiations are now on for the adoption of a new one, which provides for a slight increase in all the various departments. The life of the new instrument is left to the judgment of the committee. The old scale was in force for three years and this period seems to be satisfactory to all concerned. The illustration, in the last issue of THE JourNAL, of the addition to our Home, should make enthusiasts of all of us. A few moments' reflection upon what that Home means to each and every member of our grand old organization should be all that is necessary to provide an adequate fund for the immediate completion of the latest addition. The manner in which the members of No. 112 responded to the first call of the board was gratifying indeed, but if the present enthusiasm keeps up, our previous efforts will not be a circumstance compared with the Christmas present that will go from this city before the end of the year. A movement was started at the last meeting which bodes well for the project. If there is a remnant of a boost left in you devote it to the cause of our Home, and let us demonstrate to our friends and foes alike that the Union Printers Home can have everything it needs and that the union printers will supply it. There was a general disappointment throughout the ranks of the trade unionists in this county when William Corless, president of the Scranton Allied Printing Trades Council, was defeated for the office of prothonotary in the recent election. While the entire republican ticket went down to defeat, the official returns proved a well-defined plan to defeat the candidate that had the unanimous endorsement of the central labor union. Those election districts where few, if any, union men reside and which are always counted in the republican columns, returned their usual republi can majorities, except for the office for which Mr. Corless contended. The anti-labor sentiment in this county must have been inspired to renewed effort, on election day, by the news reaching here that the portals of the prison were opening wider for the reception of Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison. The excellent work of Organizer Gibbons in the southern part of the state during the past few weeks surprised only those who do not know him. We of Scranton are well aware of the fact that when Gibbons is in the field there is a live wire on the job, and we are expecting to hear of all kinds of good work. "Jim" Bowen, of Philadelphia printer and baseball fame, has been declared a member of our committee of arrangements to entertain the International Typographical Union convention to be held in Scranton in 19-and-what-ever-year-has-notbeen-spoken-for. He may be a little old by that time, but we believe he will do. See that your portion gets into the local's Christmas present to the Home, and see to it that your union sends a present, even if it is only a five spot. Then boost again and keep up. JOHN M. COLLINS. MONTREAL, CANADA. Secretary-Treasurer Hays was here November 13, and addressed a joint meeting of Jacques-Cartier and No. 176. The small attendance was due to the hurried call of the meeting, but those present kept Mr. Hays busy with questions, which he handled very ably. Much discussion was heard on the increased burial benefit, and the majority seemed much in favor of it. It is believed that several new members will be enrolled on account of Mr. Hays' visit. James and Thomas Coleman, of Big Six, two former Montreal printers, were here to attend the funeral of their aged mother on November 13. This was their first trip home in over twenty years, but they look as young as ever. Tom admits that he is 41 years old, but says: "If I remember right 'Spider' was a journeyman when I was a cub." Jerome Maynard has gone to the Union Printers Home. The Witness has resumed operations in its own building, which was gutted by fire in September. "Juice" Holmes is with us again, holding a machine on the Gazette. He was in Quebec for two months, and now he can't talk French. Our label committee is meeting with success. The French and English printers of Montreal were favored with a visit from J. W. Hays, secretary-treasurer of the International Typographical Union, about the middle of November. Mr. Hays certainly made a favorable impression with many printers in this city who heard him address a meeting of the union November 13. The proposed increased mortuary benefit has many warm advocates in Montreal. The following is an extract from a letter sent to James Drury, a prominent member of No. 176, by Harry Jones, who, with the undersigned, represented No. 176 at the Boston convention in 1908. Mr. Jones is now a resident of the Union Printers Home: tically nothing about it; but now I can speak from experience, and do not hesitate to say that if I do not regain my health here it will be no fault of the attending physician or the institution, as they certainly do all they can to put a man in good shape. The food is of the best-for the "lungers" and others who are sick. No. 176 has a total membership of 305 in good standing. This still looks rather small for a city of 500,000 population. Two unions exist in Montreal-No. 176 and No. 145 (French)—but there are 125 non-union printers in the jurisdiction of the former body. The Herald, Witness, Gazette and Star are overflowing with ads. The Star is putting in four more up-to-date ad machines. It is a pleasure to see many young members of No. 176 taking so great an interest in the business transacted at our regular meetings, and one of our very youngest-M. R. Ellis ("Kid")-is an excellent chairman of the Gazette composing room. Jerome Maynard, of No. 176, recently stricken with paralysis, has been admitted to the Union Printers Home. Two years ago I visited a town in New York state, where the eight-hour and priority laws are properly put into effect. An incident happened there which I think is worth relating. One of the members of the local union, who had held a situation for fifteen years, was never tired trying to convince others that the number of subs per office should be limited. "It should be arranged so that each sub in an office could get at least five days a week. I think that three subs to twenty-five regulars are enough." He said this so often that every printer in town had heard it. One day he threw up his sit uation and took an insurance agency, but somehow he didn't make it a success. Later he applied for subbing in the office he had recently left, and after a friendly talk with the foreman he approached the chairman. That gentleman reminded him that there were three subs and only twenty-four regu lars, and the subs were scarcely getting five days a week. The chairman apparently gave him no encouragement. He went to the desk again. But the foreman was a union man, and with a pleasant smile said: "See the chairman again; but what he says goes." The chairman knew his duty well, and reminded the applicant that no competent and reliable union printer, applying for subbing in any union office, should be turned down; that sublists were abolished long ago. No one in that town has since heard it stated by a union man that subs should be limited. SILAS W. READ. GALT, ONTARIO. A workingman's club has been organized here, under the patronage of the trades and labor council. The main idea of the club is to educate the workingman along economic, industrial and politi cal lines, and all workingmen, whether union or non-union, are eligible to membership. At the club's first session an impromptu discussion of the single tax theory was indulged in, and the impression prevailed that under single tax the workingman would get it where Bessie wore the heads, just the same as at present. The club is a part of the movement to rehabilitate the trades and labor council and restore to that body some of its oldtime luster and glory. Time was when the council cut so much ice in municipal politics that one candidate for mayor, not particularly friendly to organized labor, referred to us as "Tammany Hall." He wasn't elected. Our meetings should be better attended. At the November session only six put in an appearance, and five were officers. Each member should bear in mind that the meetings will never be interesting unless he gets there and does his part toward making them interesting. I don't believe in fining a member for non-attendance, but unless the membership of No. 411 changes its ways something will have to be done to assure a decent turnout. The Galt voters' list for the past two years has had the label attached. The town council doesn't get the credit, though. The label committee had it placed on in the proofs, and, as it wasn't marked off, it appeared on the completed job. The typeslingers are cutting a wide swath in the bowling game this season. J. A. Lapine, J. C. Wilson and D. J. Kane, members of No. 411, are on the C. M. B. A. team of the Fraternal League. Guelph can take this as a warning. ARTHUR L. PHILP. MILWAUKEE, WIS. Mr. While the International Typographical Union is in the mood of acquiring reminiscences and historical bits, I might as well put on record a few facts connected with the memory of the late John Halloran, who died in Chicago, October 20. Halloran or "Judge" Halloran, as everybody called him-was born in the Third ward of Milwaukee, and learned the printing trade on the Evening Wisconsin in this city. He was one of the twelve men who signed the charter and organized Typographical Union No. 23, on September 24, 1853. He held the distinction, also, of being the union's first "guardian"-sergeant-at-arms. He afterward became an editor and drifted to Chicago. He found employment on the old Republican, founded by Charles A. Dana, of New York, which was subsequently changed to the Inter Ocean. He served in an editorial capacity on the Inter Ocean continuously up to the time of his death. He was a true-blue union man and retained an active membership in the International Typographical Union until he died, it is said. He was 75 years of age. "Judge" Halloran, who never married, often visited Milwaukee, his old home. It was one of the pleasures of his life to meet members of the "old guard" in this city and talk over olden times. Although very dignified in bearing, he could point out humorous incidents that occurred here and there during his half century's connection with the art preservative of arts. While in conversation with the writer on one of his more recent visits to this city, the "Judge" produced a magazine and proceeded to read an article discussing the origin of the sign "O. K." The article in question quoted the Century Dictionary as saying of the initials "O. K.": "Origin obscure; usually said to have been originally used by Andrew Jackson," and also, "The abbreviation will be found in Bartlett's Dictionary of Americanisms, second edition, Boston, 1859, page 524;" and further, "According to the Standard School Dictionary, it is merely an abbreviation for the humorous spelling-'or korrect.'" "It is amusing, indeed," said "Judge" Halloran, "for one who knows the facts to read all this humbug. The whole truth of the matter is, the O. K. with which union printers are so familiar, originated right here in Milwaukee, and its real meaning is 'Old Colonel.' 'Col.' E. M. B. Hasbrouck, an old member of Typographical Union No. 23, was the best proofreader that ever lived-or at least he had no contemporary equal. He was known as the 'old colonel.' It was the custom on the Evening Wisconsin in those days to give a second reading to all proofs read by proofreaders, except those read by the old colonel,' and to designate those from the others, his initials-O. K.-were written on the margins." "But, Judge, 'K.' does not stand for colonel!" "Oh, yes, it does. In this case you must spell it 'kernel.' Hasbrouck acquired his title from the very peculiar shape of his nose!" said the "Judge." The past month has been a busy one for No. 23. There is always something doing here, for that matter. With newspaper advertising, views of the Home at the Crystal Theater, and "every mother's son" assiduously applying the sticker, the label has certainly received a good sendoff, and results are entirely satisfactory. Before this issue of THE JOURNAL gets to its readers the printers' ball will have been held. This event takes place November 27, and the present outlook points to a great success. December 2, 3 and 4 are the dates for the convention of the Society for the Promotion of Industrial Education, to be held in this city. The International Typographical Union Commission will have a display of our technical training school work on this occasion. Many of the technical colleges and trade schools of the country will have exhibits, and it promises to be a great event. No. 23 has appointed committees and will be a prominent factor in the show. I will have more to say about this matter in my next letter. The writer has just been "waited upon" by two committees from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen, asking him to be a candidate for alderman-at-large on the republican ticket at the coming spring primaries. The gentlemen have been told that the request will be considered. I am inclined at this writing to look with favor upon the proposition submitted by the railroad men. In the event of my becoming an alderman, I would have many new advantages in the prosecution of my work as secretary of No. 23. Many of our members take this view of the matJOSEPH LA FLEUR, ter. Well, we'll see. |